The Portland daily press., 1900-09-25
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
THE CHRISTIAN.

drama 1.-The Christian was seen in
1his city last evening at the jefferson
theatre.
The play of ''The Christian, a. is not in
the ordinary sense dramatic version OF
the story. The author. as ba has ax.
planned, took the two principal charac-
ters of the novel, as we'll as the motive
OF their relations to each other, and made
an independent drama of new Incidents
and fresh surroundings, just as he might
nave taken two characters from history
and constructed thereon a play which
could otherwise have no claim to hIstori-
cal truth. The characters of Glory QuayIe
ana John Storm represent types existing
in the latter part OF this glorious century.
The educated girl who has to light the
battles or life in professions which are
usually controlled by men; and the
young clergyman who makes an effort.
In liberal sense, to realize the precepts
of the Sermon on the Mount The social
and religious problems which surround
these characters IN the novel are not
dweit upon In the play, which is in the
main simply story of love.
1t Is presented in prologue and four
acts, and all of the scenes are surrounded
by peculiar interests, for as a rule, Mr.
Caine sticks closely to his theme, which
is to outline few years in the lives of
Glory Quayle and John Storm, and to
carry woman through the world and
its temptations into the fold of the
church and her lovers arms.
So much for the piece itself. AS to it's
presentation, the PRESS can safely fol-
low the cue offered in the liberal applause
OF the audience, and state that the COM
pany is worthy of unstinted praise. In
dividually, the parts are excenentIy
taken, and they were harmoniously inter-
woven.
Mr.: Henry KoIker's natural manner,
his fine face and figure and his pleasing
voice ara particularly lifting the charac-
ter he portrays. In him John Storm has
an ideal counterpart.
Miss Lila Vane is captivating as the
Glory Quayle OF the youthful days, and
in her London debut and the varied
scenes which go to make up her career as
a prima-dCnna, she is equally interesting;
but the call for her best work comes in
the interviews with the devout priest
whose love for her never grows less, try
as he VIII to smother lit by untiring
pastoral labor, At the close OF the third
act, wherein these two leading characters
in the story renew their devotion to each
other after succession OF trying ordeals,
' the audience became unusually demon =
? strative, and the drop curtain was re-
o peatedly lifted.
@ Mrs. Georgia Dickson, as the kind
Q hearted Scotch "auntie'' has winning
g way, and hearty laugh that Is contag-
/ ious. The characters Of Horatio Darke
;. and Lord Robert are fittingly portrayed
q by Frederic Conger and Harold HartseI
J. The others in the cast, all worthy Of
l. praise, are: jefferson Lloyd, Frank Rob
: erts, Adolphe Lestina, Guy Nichols,
IT George S. Stevens, W. NJ. Hays, E.
Preece, Rachel Corthers, Jane Wheatley,
Marie Trevor, Helen Ford, Perdita
II Hudspeth and Hazel ChappIe.
l. 1.-THE Christian" Will be the attraction
a at the Jefferson again this evening, and
b. the company deserves duplication of the
= big house it had last night.
, OLD LAVENDER.
1t has been about six years ~since Mr..
Edward Harrigan was seen in the city
and last evening when he appeared be-
hind the footlights of the Portland thea
tire he was accorded the warmest kind of
a welcome. His Offering was that mas
terpiece "Old Lavender" " with which his
name is indissolubly linked and whose
story is familiar to most theatre goers.
His portrayal of the bank clerk who rests
under the stigma of dishonesty -unjustly
so-and is ostracized from home and
friends, only to lead a live of degrada-
ton in the slums OF New York, is invest
ed with the same artistic touches as Of
yore and met with such favor from the
audience that not only was the curtain
called after each act, but Mr.. Harrigan
was forced to bow an acknowledgment
OF the applause which awaited his every
entrance.
His makeup and facial expressions are
unique and the rankest poverty Is illuml-
mated by the brightest flashes of humor
followed in the next moment by pathetic
touches which brought tears TO many
eyes. His scenes with ''Dick the Kat, -
and "Pop JONES' not to forget the dia-
logue with his brother, whom at the
close ne saves from robbery and ruin,
are notabIs features, in all of which the
genius of MIR. Harrigan shines out most
brilliantly. And not alone his acting,
but his singing deserves special notice.
His voice rang out spIendidly In those
appealing songs for which he is so well
known, and sect up Jack, sit down
John won as usual a most vigorous
encore. But why particularize further,
for everybody knows that the stage has
seen but one "OId Lavender" and his
name is Edward Hsrrigan.
IA. IL,