The Portland daily press., 1899-10-28
MUSIC AM. DRAMA.
KING OF THE OPIUM RING.

II
sensational mel ,drama with . Chimes at
mosphere, was the attraction at the
jefferson theatre last night That II
scored decided hit with ths audience
was proven beyond doubt; Its many
stirring scenes ami climaxes were APP
pIaudsd throughout and had the genuine
boisterous ring Of enjoyment that puts
the critic all 1t sss. 1t would be unfair
to condemn the artistic merit Of play
which continually keeps the spectator on
the edge OF his seat and his nsrves
! wrought up to the swapping point In an
ticipation Of what surpriss Is coming
next. The plot deals with q band Of
desperate smugglers who caused the Gus
tom hous, no end Of troubls for . num-
Der Of years. They were known Is the
Opium King Of San Francisco, and not
until 1898 was the government SUCCESS.
full In running to earth and Furnishing
Its leaders. The play faithfully portrays
scenes and incidents from real lie and
the theme has fascination In its origi-
nality. .Ihs characters esre picturesque
and new {, the stage. while sons Of the
scenes ar, excell,nt In their original aet-
tings.
A genuine Chinese woman of royal
blood, with two pretty little children.
lend local coloring to the Chinese A msri-
ce n wedding which takes place 10 the last
act. Here We have the chant before tbs
joss, q Chinese cake walk and numerous
spccialties to divert us from tn, design
ing wicked Highlander and his oriental
sorcsrer who holds a beautiful whits girl
submissive to his hypnotic Influences.
| or course the gallant lover, who 10 In
the government employ comes to her
rescue In time to send the audience out
feeling pleasant, and the villain meets
just rstrihution. or the specialties intro
duced and there were many. the Checkers
in their lightning baton drill, and the
Wilson Bros. daring team OF acrobats,
scored decided hits. A novel climax Is
introduced as an ending to the third act
where these acrobats, dressed as China
men, from a human tower, standing
enc upon the others shoulders, three high,
and rescue a girl from n second story
window. The first act olos,s to the &C.
compartment Of rapid fire gun on the
police boat. which Is chasing the sm ny
glers' yacht, Halpoyon. This stirred up
such enthusiasm that the curtain had to
be raised several times and from that I'M
til the finish Of the play thsrs was not
u quiet moment. In spite OF the dis.
agreeable weather the audiance was one
of the largest seen ct the Jefferson this
Season.
ri ard aff
Charles A. Tay Ior, one OF the authors Of
the play, lectured upon the Lee Book
Dong Chinese family, who held an In
formal reception for women and children
10 the theatre parlors.
1heze will be- matinee ut 2.15 and to-
night will close the engagement. The
manag sment Is to be congratulated upon
giving play goers OF Portland q genuioe
melodIamatic treat
FRANKIE CARPENTER.
frankie Carpenter, that bright and
faoinatipg little lady will appear at the
Jefferson theatre all nsxt week In roper
toire of plays that is seldom offered at
cheap prices. Miss Frankie is herself one
Of the cleverest actresses that visits our
city. and the company In support Is al.
ways of the best. This season Is no ex-
ception, fer she has surrounded herself
with the best talent possible, chief
among them being Jere Grady, who Is
host in himself. Many new features will
be introduced this season, such as the
illustrated overtures by the orchestra,
and q moving picture called the "Man
in the Noon" Some of the plays are
''rhe aGreat Brooklyn Hsndicap,
"Muggs Landing" "Ranch King"
Bob" Pawn Ticket 2lo,' 1.-THE
Strange Adventure OF Miss Brown" and
"Struck Gas" Much beautiful scenery
will BIS shown, and taken all in all IL
will be the best entertaipn ent ever of
cred at 10. 20 and 80 cents.
PORTLAND THEATRE.
1t is o pleasure to attend Portland
theatre and see such attractions as "The
that such high class performances can
be furnished at popular prices. Another
good house enjoyed this lively musical
comedy last uight and much credit Is
due to A. Q Scammon for the srlsndii
company and the fine manner shat 1t is
presented. Tie entire company Is good
and there is not weak spot in the cast
The specialities are all worthy Of men
Con, but the singing of Miss Cooper and
the acrobatio work OF Gillette q Booth
are wonderful and amusing and alone
the price of admission
There will be matinee for laiies and
children at popular prices an as the per-
formancs is thoroughly clean there
should be a large attendance of ladies.
Tonight will be the last opportunity OF
seeing this pleasing comedy and enjoying
a good laugh.
DEWEY AND THE BIoGRAPH.
The attraction at Portland theatre the
coming Monday. Tuesday and wednes-
day IL the famous American BlogrAph
exhibition, reproducing those marvellous