The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-10-07
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
TIE sHuBERr STOCK COMPANY

that the Jubilee OF Song Is over, as to the
winters dramatic season.
We believe that 10 was a most wise de-
termination on the part of the difeators
of the jefferson theatre that the inter-
st.ces, 50 TO speak, between travelling
combinations should be filled In by some
thing worthy of patronage.
1t WAS the purpose Of the stockholders
in constructing this beautiful temple that
has done so much credit TO Portland and
which every visitor to the city, as he
looks upon its architectural beauties, pays
homage 20 its richness OF hrisb, to Pro-
vide the theatre-goers of this city with
attractions en- rapport with their besuti-
full surroundings.
inasmuoh as the higher grade Of trav-
cling organizations diminish in number
each year, the fact remains and stands
out boldly that 1t IL impossible to get u
sufficient number Of them to fill ont a
season and this fact becomes more obvi-
Gus in each successive year.
Are gilt edged visitors to our city ade-
quately pAtronizedf Our answer is yes.
On that score there is not the shadow Of
complaint. Expressed otherwise
there is no complaint to be found
In lack of appreciation. Right here let
US observe that 1t may not be known to
any not conversant with theatrical his-
tory that the stock company system has
prevailed since the writing Of plays and
their presentation.
True there Is the legendary strolling
play or, we read Of him in history, but
such q thing as a travelling combination
was an unknown quantity up to within
20 years Really 1t is an up.to-date evo-
luton. Even Portland can recall the day
when it's only means of theatrical amuse-
meDts was through a stock compmany.
So alter all it is seen that the com bina-
ton system is but the within Of an hour,
which In its time is destined 60 give way
to a later fancy perhaps a VARIED and con-
glomerate mixture of dramatic and vaud-
eville. Between the two make your choice,
as all the other cities must do, but do so
in touch with the lines.
If first class attractions Will not come
10 Portland, Portland must manufacture
her own or the Jefferson theatre has been
built In vain.
1t is with a full knowledge OF this fact
that the directors ami owners of the
Jefferson are endeavoring to prevent SO
excellent an organization In Its entirety,
as the Shubert Stock company, to slip
through its angers
1t is no discredit to Portland, a city of
ssy SO, 900 Inhabitants, getting of oourss
on tie sunny si6e as mcst statistioans
do, that she does not voluntarily offer
Sufficient enterprise the cost of which is
as great as the joint expense of the
Jefferson theatre and, the Shuhert Stock
co Gpauy. even though this same com BIZ
nation and company did secure a FL
cient patronage to lengthen their stay
in such cities as Syracuse, Buffalo and
Rochester, for one year each, If we rernsm-
Der rightly. Another thing Is worthy
right here of note, a fact too frequently
overlooked, Portland is as fortunate in
the summer months In = theatrical way
rs she is unfortunate in the regular sea
son. In the summer by reason of her
geo, rsphical situation, she becomes a
ritable Mecca for art producers and
pobAOhcs Al tAAe cD0SSA btsO 1AoAHoAO
actor from force Of circumstances is
idle. this makes him not the less an
artist, but he seeks recreation and can
we'll afford to devote little of his time
to employment at q much less salary
than he is obliged to demand in the regu-
lar season.
Commercial interests step In and the
oParinoa IN tho portland 1ubIi, ava of
such high grade of excellence that the
came public are enabled to become hyper
critical at little expense 1t Ia therefore
not surprising that a revolt Is made when
the price that must be obtained in order
that expenses may be met is demanded.
We wish to place the matter clearly
and honestly before Portland people, with
such vision as is ours, without extenu-
alton or condemnation of Portland's ar-
parent inappreciation Of the talent which
MIR. Shubert has placed at their disposal.
SPORTING LIFE.
Billy Elmer, who plays Jim Crake. the
pugilist, in sporting Life" is probably
the only example Of the actor who tur ned
pugilist. We have had plsnty of pugilists
like sullivan, Corbett. MoAultde and
jackson who have turned actors, but
Elmer Is probably unique in his distiuc-
ton of having reversed the order OF
things. It has besn said Of him that he
had an unbroken string of defeats, bui
<his Is not SO. for he is credited with
whipping Danny Needham and making q
draw after long. hard battle with joe
Cans. At the time he fought Ne edhan
the latter was considered one of the bsst
men in his class. but Elmer was locke q
forward to as most promising man Of
his weight
THE EVIL EYE.
A new spectacle from the Yale schoo
of trick pantomime which will be seen a
the Jefferson next Saturday Afternoon
and evening under the caption of eth,
Evil Eye" or the Many, Merry, Mishapi
Of Nide and the Weird Wonderful. Wan
behring's OF Nod, promises much in tn