The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-07-11
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
THE KINGS MUsKETEERs

A very notable feature Of our. last dra-
matic year was tho craze for some version
Of "Ehs Three Musketsers, .. by Alexan
der Dumas. The took was looked upon
a. vefitable snine. with Its veins Of
mslo-drama running through every page
This Musketeer craze seems 10 have or1gi-
mated In England last fall when dra-
matte version was made by Henry HAM
ilton. which was produced under the
tltla OF 1.-The Three Musketesrs."
rival version BY sydney Grundy was pro-
duced about shis time, and In addition
to these, numerous other versions have
resulted both In this country and In
England, and a succession Of Musketesrs
have since been seen trooping across the
stages OF 10th countries II was reserved
to Mr.. McCullum to take advantage Of
an opportunity TO give the theatre going
populace In our midst a share in the
revival of Dumas's dramatizsd stories,
and with his accustomed enterprise and
with bis regard for the likes Of his
clientele for plays IN vogue, an initial
performance Of 'sThe Kings Musketeers''
was given last evening at Mceullum's
theatre"
The version adopted was arranged by
Mr.. MoCullum's practical hand and he
brought to his present labor the skill Of
experience and q keen sense of the de-
sires Of the auditors. He has followed
the book, and by eliminating all OK
transous incident has utilized only as
much as is necessary to make swiftly
moving dramatic story.
The play Is taken from the first half of
the book and a coherent logical story is
told with vigor and dash and right here
Is might be observed that no reading of
she original is eded TO understand the
somance Of adventures and love SO deity
woven together.
The scene opens with D'Artegnan's ar
rival at the anti-chamber Of the Ireyille,
ard courses rapidly through the duel by
which he becomes a friend of the mus
keteers; involves the story of the queens
adventure with Buckingham and the re-
covery of the twelve diamondsj and the
discontinue of Richelieu.
The scene are arranged discreetly and
AAo dAACOs w oho Potbos Aho hAHhNAIS
OF Miladi lie told by Athos In brief,
impassioned speech to D'ArtagnAn, and
the recovery Of the diambnds is d scribed
by D'Agtagnan at the moment of his re.
turn from London. The climaxes are
we'll managed and cleyeriy worked up,
not one of them falling short of or over
shooting the mark.
e.. III H. -. a
pie OF thentricalism carried to the very
limit. 1t is most appropriately and rich
ly costumed and the careful attention
which Mir. McCullum and his scenic
artist, MIR. Booker. have bestowed on
svery detail of the stage, sets is worthy
Of the warmest recognition. The Queens
reception chamber, the cabin OF the
True Briton, and the throne room In
the palace, are gems of stage craft.
The performance was spirited and oil
great merit as whole. We are on safe
ground in saying that it is the best bal
anced production ever given at this favor
lie resort. The actors worked together to
protection and took their cues as quickly
Is If they were playing touch and go
comedy, and the play got over the foot
lights with speed which caused the
three hours of its telling to pass on ss
II they were less than halt the time SO
absorbing was the interest.
D'ArtaE1n of course as a central fig
ure, filed the eyes good part of the
time and the picture was pleasing. Mr..
Bankson had the mettle of youth which
served him in good stead and he lacked
no fire. He is daahing, ardent and daunt-
less. both in love and in battle. MIR. Step
hen Wright's Richelieu was on high
artistic plane which few actors reach.
He interpreted the character in deep.
subtle man ner and almost stood out
above all the rest for hrmness and vigor
If bearing and uttsrance. His makeup
as the great ohurohman was wonderfully
striking and his work shone brilliantly
In his interviews with the queen in the
second and closing acts. Mr.. Pratt as
the unhappy Athos, the wine loving,
woman hating musketser. did an excel
lent bit of acting, notably in the scene
with D'Artagan, where he tells the story
If his love, suherings, etc. There was
humor in the part of Porthcs and the
impersonation by Mr. Stuart was accep-