The Portland daily press., 1899-07-18
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
BROWNS IN TOWN.

this week. as MIR. BarToWBss enterfafn-
munt Is full Of funny surprises, and
struck popular chord. Its many varied
features were numerically sncored. The
piece entitled browns in Town" was
built to raise laugh and II answers Its
purpose. Brown himself Is hard fellow
to ind. He ls coed deal like the Irish
mau'g fieA. when you think you. have him
he 4somewhere else. For all this. the
plsyss is the work OF Mark e. Swan,
is founded upon the marriage of Dick
and Lofty Preston. which Is kept secret
because OF the antipathy OF the father of
the former to marriages in general and
ESPECIALLY to one in which his s3n is n
FACTOR. The Prestons are passing their
honeymoon In q country house near
Sonsy island and here 1t Is that every
tning Is ct cross purposes and where no
nony Ia quite able to tell who's who.
Brown Is the merest kind Of pretenss
"ners"lth TO fool the elder Preston, and
az times there are two Of him, and at
other times only one. but with two wives
In evidence and divers others in reserve.
OF course in the end the impulsive father
Is Modified and hs ratiies the cho.c, of
his son.
Mr.. Barrows Ia admirable in his presen-
tation Of tho FOND, eccentric, stern faith.
er, as was naturally to be expected of an
actor who has done such excellent work
this summer. MIR. Craig entered into
the spirit of his work enthusiastically.
and MIR. Lanoastsr and Mr.. Ritchis were
np-and coming at just the right time.
The German heiress of Blanche Hall was
exceedingly well done, and need of
the greatest praise is dus Mary Young
for her portrayal OF Lefty. Hers was q
dainty bit Of acting and her animated
face and graceful motion served her In
good stead. Lorle Eddinger as Susanna
Dacre, achieved a marked personal sue
cess. Her pretty stage presence was in
gratiating and she met every require
ment Of her part.
But the chief attraction of the perform
ances Is the string OF speoialties which is
deity strung through the action Of the
play, and the coon songs of Florence
stone are most taking. In the character
OF Primrose with her Ethiopian make
up, she ia the genuine article, and her
singing of such classics as "For he GER
tainly was good to me-" and "Dinah,
the Moon is Shining" may be regarded
as fairly correct. She had good darby
dialect and her mimic qualities In the
cake walk with MIR. Dickson, were APP
plauded to the echo.
1t should b noted that Mr.. Dickson.
who belongs to the mechanical depart.
ment OF the Gem, kindly volunteered for
this work, and his place along size Ernest
Hogan, "the ecstacy in ebony" Is fully
assured.
A decided hit of the evening was the
pantomime from the "Circus Girl" by
Miss Young and Mr.. Craig Miss Young
is no stranger TO Portland audiences
along this linz aud her artistic work is
known to all playgoers. Her "Just q
Little Piece Of String" was q gem and
won Its many enoores. Miss Eddinger's
song Maggie o'Connor." met with
great favor, and Blanche Hall pleased
everybody by her MARY James Top
Note and received q handsome floral
tribute. The quarsette and the music
from.behind the scene were,most effective
and to Frank L. Callahan the warmest
commentator is due for his arrangement
and direction OF what was the speciality
part of this catchy entertainment.
There was an unusually large first
night attendance and the applause shook
the house. The curtain was called again
and again and the performers indi vidual-
ly were made to bow their acknowledge
ments. Surely Mr.. Barrows and his compa-
ny will be greeted with packedIhousss dur
ing the continuance of this play which
will run for the week.
N'CULLUM'S THEATRE.
The second week Of the engagement Of
'The Kings Mufketeers," was inaugu-
rated last night before q large ana
fashionabis audience, and judging by tho
applause, all PRESENT were intent on
demonstrating their entire satisfaction
with every member Of the company. and
each incident In the action Of the fine
drama. Every detail Of the production is
in a,oord. The scenery Is not only beauti-
full but 1t Is also appropriate, and the
costumes. besides Icing handsome, cost
ly. and well fitted, are historically correct
and tecoming to the artists. Each mem.
Der of the company is equal to the re-
quirements OF his or her part, and each
impersonation shows careful study. and
an artistic appreciation of its value. The
play has a special charm for the most in
teliigent play goers, because 1t tells most
ly of honor; of the honor of men to men,
and of their love and eonstanoy to
woman. The struggle OF D'Artagnan, By
force and guile. against the highest
powers of state, the Cardinal Richslieu
and his emissaries. in order to save the
honor of his queen. and win the favor of
his.sweetheart. is particularly fascinat-
ing theme, and gives the greatest delight
to the whole house, from the culture of
the orchestra chairs, to the gamins In the
gallery. 1t is q fact TINT all who have
witnessed the magnificent production,
and enjoyed the company's superb per-
formance, have been completely snam-