The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-02-03
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
SAG HARBOR.


play "Sag Hartor," picture OF rural
home life. In drapsstio merit not whit
behind "shore Aores," though differ
Ing Of oourse from the latter inimatter Of
scenes and personalities In the play.
The scenes Of the new production are
all laid In the little town OF Sag hArbor
on Long Island, tana the characters are
types of people 70 be sesn daily along
the Long Island shore, though new per-
hsps to the stage.
The play Is staged In four acts and
three scenes. Ihs frat scene shows the
exterior of the old boat house where
United States life boats are built. pre-
sneng o great prospective view oil
famous Gardeners bay and Hogs Neck,
with shelter Island, the noted summer
resort, in the distance. The second scene
shows tho Interior of the boat shop, and
the third n room In the home of Capt.
Turner, the boat builder. All OF these
scenes are perfect In detail for Mr.
Herne not only as u play maker, but
stage manager, par excellence. In that
second act where carpenters and painters
are at work what skill was shown ana
the dinner scene Is marvel Of produc-
tion.
As to the story of the play little need
be said save that 1t tells of the love OF
two brothers for the same woman and
each attempts the nobler part OF self
sacrifice. They are In love with Martha
Reese, impersonated by Julie A. Herne,
and one Of the very delightful features
Of the play Is where MIR. Herne tries to
parallel the circumstance OF the two
brothers, who are in love with the same
woman. He tells the story without Res-
ture and is wonderfully fine. He thrills
every auditor. The motif of the play
exalts marriage and steadfast reasonable
love and one Of the best scenes in the
whole clay Is the champagne scene In the
old boat shop. The dinner scene In the
third act is immensely droll. and while
the comedy Is pure and wholesome
throughout, underlying all Is the hne
and noble purpose and moral OF the
play. The atmosphere from beginning to
end IL wholesome TO breathe and you
leave 1t as 1t were at peace with your
self and the rest of mankind. The theme
OF Sag Harbor L. not complex,
1t abounds In pictures that everyone
In this sevtion has seen time and again,
and 10 full Of quaint people. The
people liked "jhore Acres" and they like
''Sag Harbor."
In the latter play Mr.. II erne personates
Capt. Dan Marble, laundering sailor,
shrswd, though simple. Charming with
low
scene with Elizabeth Ann Turner. His
characterizatio Ion is true to life. unique
and irresistible, well conceived and beau
tifully aotsd.
All of the chara cters, quite without ex-
ception we're alphabetically and effsc-
lively portrayed, even to the baby. who
surely deserves mention. We especially
liked Mrs. Sol Smith, who gave US a
most artistic and realistic portrayal of q
typical New England character called
Nrs. John Russell, o widow. She acted
tt . part to life. Surely 1t was VOL
derful character study. The knitting
scene will be long remembered. Marion
Abbott was pre-eminently good as Eliza
beth Ann Turner, and did the very best
kind Of work In that somewhat hilarious
love scene with Mr.. Herne.
Miss julie Herne was admirable in the
leading emotional role Of Martha Reese.
She was sweet. sympathetic and sincere
in her WORK. We warmly commend her
work and that Of her sister, Miss Chrystal
Herne, who was seen In the light come
dy role of Jansy Csuldwell.
Forrest Robinson rendered most efiio-
lent support to Mr.. Herne. in the role of
Ben Turner. His personality was at
tractive, his voice resonant. He had q
by Sydney Booth, and both were effec-
tive, notably SO in the love episodes
with the heroine Miss Julie Herue.
Frank Munroe showed to excellent ad
vantage in his very adequate portraiture
Of the quaint William Turner, and w.
r. Hodge was most satisfactory In his
role. ALI of the characters In the play,
and they were typical ones. were given
with q uniform fidelity to truth-a dis
tinguishins mark Of the production
viewed in It's entirety.
A magnificent audience occupying every
seat and al most putting q premium on
standing room. greeted Mr.. Hsrne at the
rise Of the curtain. he and his excellent
company will close their brief engage
ment here today. Appearing at matinee
and evening performance.
The ARTISTS RECITAL.
The recital at Kotzschmar hall last eve
ming. under tn auspices of the Rossini
club, ut which Mr.. Arthur Whiting and
Mir. Myron W. whitney, Jr., made their
first appearance in Portland, gave the
greatest pleasure, and aroused the genuine
admiration OF their hearers.
Both Mr.. Whiting and Mr.. whitney are
thorough musicians, earnest. legitimate
and unpretentious, and the very sincerity
Of their work charms even those who are
not special atuds nts in singing or piano.
forte playing. 1t Is music, pure and
simple, which they try to produce, each
thfouoh n differant mediuun hint IN aunh