The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-11-10
MUsIC AND DRAMA.
AN AMERICAN GENTLEMAN.


IAN American Gentleman, I" which was
presented at the jefferson last night for
the first time, and whicn Will be repeated
this afternoon and tonight is meio-
drama with plenty of startling situations,
@ hero who appeals to the gallery gods,
william of the deepest dye and all the ac-
cessories Of successful production OF this
kind. IL affords unbounded opportuni-
ties for curtain calls and Misses, Tor
laughter and tears, for noble deeds, Tor
display Of muscle and nerve ana Tor love
making. Wfthal the story OF the plot IL
ekiIfulIy unwound, the stage settings are
good and the cast far above the average.
Last night the Jeffer son was comfortably
filled with an audi snce which enjoyed the
MAY to the full extent. After all 1t Is not
the dramatic critic who makes q piece
success or failure. The play that pleases
the M bic is what the dramatic managers
seize upon as good investment to back,
and In IAN American Gentleman" the
managers evidently have a winner.
There are not many striking original
titles in this play, and with few moaincs-
tions 1t follows very nearly In the oiu
rad laid down for melo dramatic sue
cess. or course the star performer 10
william BoneIli, who In the play is Geo.
Hathaway, Sampson of Yale. just why
authors who take for their heroes college
athletics should invariably stamp them
with old Ellis mark 1t would be useless
TO discuss, but the fact remains that
George Hathaway, an American gentle
man is put down as q Yale graduate. In
appearance he is superb specimen OF
manhood, handsome enough to MI tne
bill for matinee idol, good actor who
INDUCES In little Of the time worn style
of melo-dramatic heroes, One OF the
strong features OF the play Is the
wrestling act in the second act, This Is
well worked up and MIR. Bonelli performs
his part here aftsr the true manner OF
heroes. Then there is Hose Stahl who Is
cast as Carina, the stolen gypsy maid.
She is versatils, pretty and has difficult
role which she assumes with oreditable
grace. OF course there is the Inevitable
Irish body servant who sings well when
he is not appearing with q revolver In
hand in time to save some ones life. His
song In the second act was well received.
John Cermody fills this character to
everyone satisfaction. Edith Kingsley
has soubrette part and her coon song
and rag time melodies serve to enliven
the evening.
IAN American Gentleman tells Of the
adventures CT one George Hathaway,
Yale graduate, known as Samson OF Yale
on account of his Sandow like strength.
He returns from two years trip abroad
and is informed by his father of q hidden
treasure-ths location of which is defined
by cipher map which he is anxious TO
turn over to George. This Information is
overheard by one of band of rowing
gypsies, who before the map can be de-
hvered murders old Hathaway, secures
the map and escapes. The second act
opens with hathaway close TO the gypsy
camp In his effort to track the murderer
OF his father and here he meets Carina
the golden gypsy, with whom he falls In
love. Mother Zarra, queen OF the gypsies,
has decided that Carina must marry one
OF two gypsies, zsppo or Carlos, and
elects that the winner OF wrestling
match will he the one entitled to her
Zsppo wins and he is promptly challenged
by Hathaway, who defeats him and
claims Carina. Later the gypsies and
their accomplish, the rascally Lawyer
Parker are surprised by hathaway and
Dennis his faithful servant, who secure
the cipher map from the gypsies by re-
moving 1t from his pocket. The gypsy
finds this out and returns with his muir
dererous band and secures it from Hatha-
way, and for revenge binds him with
chains, sets fire tothe gypsy hut and leaves
him to his fate He is saved by Carina
in moment before the explosion takes
place. Afterwards Carina is proven to be
this daughter OF wealthy merchant, who
In her infancy was stolen by this band OF
gypsies and the story ends happily, and
the wedding of Hathaway and Carina is
celebrated. Il
There win be q matinee today with az
seats at twenty-five cents.