The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-12-29

L
about two years. instruction, barring
n aiding lessons. The numbers were
played from memory.
Andar t, from Surprise symphony. Haydn
J h Bee and the Clover, Geibel
Wa tE. by job. st-auss. streabbog
Technical Wrrk: Scales y Major and
Miner Similar and Contra Motion
Wit Met ,onome.
| Bearing-- LESSONS:
AlleGr,tt,, Opus lS6, No, 1, Reineoke
Etnoe. variable r, time, Opus o., Nc:
''' '''''' - 80 Eilsnber.
! Rondsau Turc, 1teibeIt
Scale 1t uds In ID, Helms
TIE CUCKOO.
We know OF no psople who can tread
the precipice overhanging the ohasm of
morality with an adeptness and surety
like that OF the PariAisns. To be sure
they sometimes almost tumble over In
ths liz comedy faross, and when an up-tc-
date one is offered. Its geuue. so to speak.
ought to be pretty accurately known.
AS to the pArtion lar species 1t, CT course.
shows varying degrees of nauRhtiness
And now for the "Cuokoo." in three
4 hCt~t duhptSu lTOiu buS VI AACAaee
by Charles Brookfield. which was given
Its first presentation in this city az the
jefferson theatre last night. While the
moral temperature of this play is not
that pf an ordinary New England winter,
n nevertheless 1t Is replets with fun and
not nearly as objection atie as half a dozen
plays that you can call on hand.
Briefly told. the story of the Cuckoo
deals with this love affair Of Hugh FAR
rant handsome, heartbreaking bachelor.
and Gineveve Penfold. Ths latter 10 the
wife of Thomas Penfold. an old Lothario,
who takes advantage Of his wife's alb
ssnce to engage in Q filtration with =
han dsoms siren who paradss under the
high sounding title of Lady Alexandra
Fa,ke. Fafrant induces the young wife
to go on jaunt with him TO u place
called Maidensbourns. On the way TO
the hotel where they expect to dine.
Farrant, who is an impulsivs young
man, jumps from his cab 10 rescue a
rustic from drowning and subsequent
ly subdues a lion which has escaped from
q menaRerie.
| His valor wins for him . mum Der OF
prizes. but unfortunately he IL supposed
to be the husband of the young woman,
and the prizes go to the lady's husband
with eulogistic accounts of his exploits
In the newspapers Upon this compii-
cation is buIlt final not In which
laughter reigns supreme evoked by the
oomical misad ventures and the exceed
ingly merry situations.
From the view point Of a strict moral
list the atmosphere Of nearly all French
farces Is tainted and their rsourrent
but as to the "Cuckoo," 1t can be truth
fully said, that II was by no means 90
risque as perhaps some feared.
1t was cspisally played and Mr.. Hol-
land, who has done some remarkabl
good work In comedy and farce during
his years ON the stage, had a role which
seemed to tit him absolutely while the
leading lady, Eleanor Moretti also acted
her part with genuine huinor and de-
lIightfuily light touches of comedy.
The company throughout SCENE to
play into each others hands thoroughly
and as q result We were afforded, for
only one night, unfortunately, well
balanced performance in which not q
point was missed
There was large audience present and
a responsive one at that.
ALMA CHESTER.
Miss Alma Chester and her company
continue to please large audiences at The
Portland theatre in her repertoire Of d rsi
class plays.
Yesterday afternoon Miss Chester pre-.