The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-11-01
MUSIC AND DRAMA.


While It does not show the entire
ana might, though not at all probable,
invite oensure because OF Its approach to
a rroblem, ''wheels Within Wheels, %
would have been just the pleOe for an
opening Offering though In disregard
of the keeping the best OF the wine for
the last OF the FEAST This bright and
fascinating piece, reflex OF London
people and manners. repiete vita In
trfgue, elopement and regret, was pre-
sentsd at the jefferson theatre last eve-
ming, reserved for the final night OF the
company s engagement
The story cen tiers about the Hon. Mrs
Onslaw Buimer, a self-reliant, witty and
strong minced woman, who Is libsral TO
tine weakness Of others and capable of
great sacrifices for those she loves. 10
save her sister-in-law from an affair with
a constituencies lead, Mrs. Bulmer as
sumes the burden of being charged with
the intention Of clipping with him. The
feats Is shown canard by his threats to
the silly person ready to run away with
him, and to humiliate him Mrs. Bulmer
10 reduced to the dire necessity OF oom-
promising herself with him, thus 10
Injuries her r. the eyes OF LORD Eric
not wanting. Revolving around the
central figure which Is Mrs Bulmer, are
her brother, the husband who is being
deceived ana for whose sake she Is ready
to lose her good name and James Blag-
don possessed Of money and lnsanely
DESTROYS Of marrying her.
The play Is not entirely now in Its
ideas, but It Is decidedly well written
with brilliancy revealed in dialogue and
characterization. 1t tells of course n
rather satirical story OF London social
life and beginning with interest, the
quite mp TO expectations while comedy
bits and laughable hits are thiokly scat
tered Throughout the action The first
act starts nriskly and the INTEREST is in
tense. The second act Is not quite SO
strong while the last act Is almost as well
constructed as the 1irst act and the end
ing is splendidly contrived.
1t was truly Miss Spongs evening and
the honors belong to her. She as Mrs.
Bulmer gave us the best type of the
breezy widow seen for long. long
time. She was vtvao1ous, full of spon.
tansous humor ana her magnetic person
ality lent unusual charm to the part, She
wore some beautiful gowns. at least she
made them look 90, the one In the first
act BEING particularly becoming.
Mr.. Mason's impersonation OF what
might be called the hero, Lord Eric
Chantrell was manly, self possessed and
natural, while MIR. Finny as Blsgdon,
she "bounder'' was most amusing, his
scene with Curtoys being one OF the hits
OF the evening. He did some of the best
work TO his credit though he was trlfie
noisy at times. Miss Tyree was pretty
but frivolous young wife and Mrs. Vim
cent was the tiresome and garrulous
aunt, Each Of them was all that could
be desired in what fell to their lot. The
character of the brother for whom Mrs.
Ifa.k~
and not very lovable character which
was adequately portrayed by Grant
Stewart. Philip Cunningham was a
good Egerton Vartrey and minor roles
were well taken.
The audience was the largest of the
three nights and the reception which was
accorded the players was most cordial,
QUO VADIS All THE JEFFERSON.
When +. q. Whitney & Edwin
Knowles's magnificent production of
"Quo Vadis'' viii be seen Thursday,
Friday and Saturday matinee at the
Jefferson, those who witness the perform
ancss will have the satisfaction of know
ing that apart from the merits OF Stanis-
laus STANCES drsmatization OF the great
romance, interpreted as 1t will be be by
one OF the best companieson the American
stage, they will have a rich treat in store
for them in feast of color and in beauti-
full stage pictures which the scenic artist,
ID. Frank Dodge, has conceived, and
which were painted from his designs by
the artists of the Adelphi Theatre. Lon
don, Eng
Much has bsen said about the ridicu-
lous bull scene in the last act as played
by the inferior road companies-a scene
that has transformed an act of sublimity
to one OF the rankest farce. Realizing
that there was no man on earth who
could successfully wrestls with a wild
bull, or In fact any kind Of a bull, Mr..
STANCE, the dramatizer, made no effort TO
display what is known as property
or papier mache bull on the stage But
he has LETT this to the Imagination.
Marcus Vinicius and Petronius describe
the mighty contest in language so elo-
quent that the audience rises to enthusi-
asm until the end of the struggle. when
there is a sigh OF relief.
UNDERWOOD SPRING.
These days are fine for trip TO Under
wood and a stroll through the pleasant
paths OF the park. The frosts are now
sending the chestauts to the ground,
where they may be had for the picking
mp. The big trees had plentiful crop
this year, and it is consequently easy to
get pocket full at almost any time.
The dining room serves game and shore
dinners promptly and we'll. The Zilpha
orchestra play during the dinner hour,
and 1t is good music that every body likes.
Many parties are booked for this pleasant