The Portland daily press., 1901-01-26
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
"ouR NEW MINISTER. .

The story of "Our New Minister"
which Will be presented at the Jefferson
theatre Monday night, is simple, but IN
tensely interesting. 1t deals with the
affairs of few people in small rural
community, called Hardscrabble, where
''they have religion ground into them
that is as hard and unyIelding as the
land is" Aside from the new minister,
the prominent character, is perhaps, that
OF Lem Ransom, a returned convict. who,
on lsaving prison resolves to lead an
honest life. Thwarted at every turn by
the malice of the church deaoons and
other hard listed religionists, he finds
strong energetic and redoubtable ally in
the minister, the village postmaster an
a big-hearted, strong-minded sceptic,
each OF whom does much to relieve him
of the burden of humiliation and degre
dalton put upon him by the others. The
love Of Lem Ransom for his daughter
Nance, and her devotion to him, furnish
ne of the most pathetic and effective in
oidents of the play. The meeting of the
two at thesvillage store constitutes the
most thrilling situation of the perform
ance.
Every character In this new pro1uc-
ton, like those In "The Old Homestead,
to which theatregoers invariably hken
"Uur New Minister" Is distinctive
type of New England life. They are the
familiar types found In every New Eng
land village, eloquent in their very SIM
plioity, in the tenacity with which they
cling to old customs, old habits and old
beliefs.
The piece is admirably staged, and
will he admirably presented by a very
strong and well-balanced cast.
ROWE-KING STOCK COMPANY.
Last night was souvenir night" at the
Portland theatre, and every purchaser of
a 30 cent ticket received cabinet photo
graph of the leading woman, Miss Ham
lton. The company will close its present
engagement today, presenting at each |
performances "Mr. Barnes of New York. +"
In the evening $50 parlor suite will |
be 81 ven to the person (who is in tie
audience) holding the lucky number.
BOWDOIN GLEE AND MANDOLIN
GUITAR CLUBS.
Wednesday evening, January 3Oth, is |
the time set for the annual engagement
here of the Bowdoin College GIee ami
Mandolin-Gultar clubs and tickets are
now on sale at Cressey, Jones and Al |
lens. The clubs this year are made up
OF talented members and the standard |
set some years ago is easily maintained
by the present aggr egation who promise |
us most enjoyable programme. Lovers |
Of college music should see to 1t that |
Kotzschmar hall is packed the night OF |
the concert.
NOTES.
Miss Viola Allen in her new play. "In
the Palace of the King" has repeated in
by her in many of the important cities OF
The country. Crowded and enthusiastic
houses spell but one thing, and soms-
thing very agreeable to the actress and |
shat word Is success. Miss Aliens new
play is none OF your mandy panty, dress
suit tea-cap dramas; IL II a Thrilling and
exciting love story. The ''Christian"
was such u stunning success that it was
not thought possible the actress would be |
able to duplicate her first triumph. But /
the unusual has happened, proving that |
Miss Allen has overturned one long &C
oepted theatrical axiom, that lightning |
never strikes twice In the same place.
Yet, "In the Palace OF the King Is as |
unlike the christian" MS any two plays |
could well be. since one was laid In |
modern, and the other in mediaeval |
times.
Gertrude Norman, the blind girl, Inez,
IN "ln the Palace Of the King" Is an
English gill who has appeared In the
leading companies OF three countries
In En- gland Miss Norman had an i'm
portant position In Henry Irvings' com
pany; in France, Miss Norman acted |
with one OF the leading compares In
Paris; and in America, besides her fine
performance with Miss Allen, she was
rgat~u 1