The Portland daily press., 1899-09-19
Music AND DRAMA.
CHRISTOPHER, JR.


success when she wrote "Christopher,
Jr.,' a play In which lot Of healthy
fun Is built around moat improbable
story. 1t Is, in brief. the tale of younl
man who declines to marry the girl Of
his fathers choice inasmuch as. BY 9 sing
ular chain Of circumstances, he has been
already married to young woman whom
he does not know. In this predicament
Christopher, Jr., Is given an opportunity
to 60 TO Calcutta to manage branch Of
his fathers business. There he shows
his ability by ferrsting out the dishonesty
OF the manager there, and there, too, he
meets and woos the woman to whom he
is already married. Needless to say that
this gives abundant chances for many
amusing situations and the effect Of these
is heightened by pointed and epigrsm-
matte dialogue. 1t was with John Drew
In the title role that the piece flrst found
favor and 1t has been popular ever since
Christopher, Jr., was produced for the
hrst time in Portland by the Shubert
company at the Jefferson last evening.
The company has given such eminent
satisfaction to Portland playgoers during
the past two weeks that the large audi
ence which greeted them last evening ex-
pected to see them repeat the success they
won In "Lsuy Windemsre's Fam" and
"Trilby," aud in this the audience were
not disappointed. "Christopher, Jr.,"
comes under the head of light comedy
which, while 1t suggests the farce OF its
situations, is nevertheless entitled to
NH xvffh ~ ~ Ahs,
playwright. 1t gave the members Of the
Shubert company a better field for their
skill IN lighter roles than did either of
tho two pieces already presented and the
company vera In every way equal to the
occasion.
Mr.. Mason and Mr.. Post, the one as
Christopher Colt, ST.. and the other as
Major Hedway. gave capital sketches of
this characters of two elderly gentlemen,
the one impetuous and irascible, the other
devoted to chess and the army and fond
of his joke even when the subject is
the somewhat peculiar modes of death by
which two brothers departed this life.
MIR. Glibb, the president Of a dramatic
club and in the opinion of his voluble
wife most energetic. talkative and enter.
tanning man, was portrayed by Mr.. VIII
j. Dean. who speaks but once in the
COURSE of the performance and then says
a single word, caused shouts of laughter
at his very appearance. Miss Melville as
the wife, repeated her former successes
and the same may be said of Miss No
Intyre, who made winsome Dora. Mr..
Alsop did well as Christopher, Jr, and
Miss Hathaway as Nelly, MIR. Allen as
Whipmer, MIR. Parry as the valet. Mrs.
West as Mrs. Colt, MIR. ProbeIt as Bella
by and Mr.. Capp as Simpson, were deserv-
ing Of the applause that they received.
That the efforts OF the company found
favor with the large audience was evi.
dent from the start and the applause al
ternated with bursts of laughter, while
the curtain was called several tines.
The stage settings were noticeablys hand.
some especially that representing the In
terror of the Bombay bungalow.
ROBINSON OPERA COMPANY.
The Robinson Opera company opened
its annual engagement of week at the
Portland theatre last evening and was
welcomed by an audience quite large and
enthusiastic. Since its last appearance
here the company has been somewhat
changed by the addition of new tenor,
Jules Cluzetti, and the very popular oome-
dian, Ben Lodge.
The opera last evening was ''Said
Pasha," and was aeceptahly sung. The
costumes and mountlngs show signs of
bsing ffeshened up and the chorus has
had
The old members of the company were
recognized and received generous APP
plause on their entrance. Minnie Jarbeau
sang the part of Serena in o sprightly
way and her cate and yivaoious methods
are as pleasing az ever. Some excellent
musical numbers were contributed by
Frank ID. Nelson, and his powerful bari
tone rang out to good advantage. 'The
Silver Tide is Whisperir Twas loudly
and deservedly enoored. John K. Young
had a good part as Hadad, and made the
most of it. He was al IL assisted by Ben
Lodge as Nockey. and their joint acts OF
buffoonery kept the audience In the best
of humor. Lizzie Gonzalez and Essie
Barton are still in the comre ~ and are
as popular as ever. The new tenor Mr..
Cluzetti, made very favorable impress
sion, and Ed La Nyon was satisfactory
as said Pasha.
Many of the solos and choruses were
warmly applauded and the performances
seemed to be very well received.
The opera this afternoon will be "Mas- |
cotte," and this evening Chimes of |
Normandy"
NOTES.
The reunion of the old Johnson's band |
OF Lewiston will be held at tn me OF
the leader, II. N. johnson, at North Au-
burn on Thursday. A dinner will be
served at the North Auburn grange hall
and the Brigade band Of Lewiston, which
succeeded tbs old band. win furnish
music for the occasion. Many former
i.arsc af har no aF,n