The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1901-01-05
MUSIC AND DRAMA.


1.-THE Man From Mexico" farce COM
edy from the pen OF II. A. Dus,ouchst,
VIII ich has bean ons Of the laughing sue
cesses OF the stage for the past two sea-
sons was presented at the Jefferson thsa-
tire, last evening, by the popular come
dian, Walter L. Perkins, and q well bal
anoed company OF players. The story
deals with this misadventures Of Benja-
min Fitzhsw, prosperous citizsn Of
New York, and his friend, Col. Roderic
Majors, whose well meaning attempts
to help Fitzhew out OF his troubles only
serve 20 push him deeper down In a
maze Of eliminating complications. Fitz-
hew and Majors In an evening devoted TO
the convivial pleasures Of trip through
the Tenderloin become involved In an
argument with cab driver and the next
morning Fitzhew is arrested with SER
tenos OF thirty days at Blackwell's island
banging over him. Meanwhile his wife
Clementlna in searching for her recreant
husband during the evening Of his es-
capade has visited well known restau
rant called The Cleopatra. While in
this restaurant IL lie visited by the police
and Mrs. Fitzhew is in hystsrioal fear
that her visit viii result In trouble for
her. When Cook, the detective calls at
the Fitzhsw home to take Fitzhsw TO
Blackwellis Island, that gentleman Is put
to his wits end to explain his going
away. He, however, announces that he
Is going to make thirty days trip TO
Al he a
led away by Cook and taken to Black
well. The second act shows the warden's
room at Blackwell's island and Eitzhew's
experiences there In prison garb are ex-
oruciatingly funny. Among the visitors
to the island come his friend Majors,
Mrs. Fitzhew and several ladies connect
ed with the Flower Mission Guild and
Fitzhew Is kent busy in keeping from
being recognized. The third act shows
Fitzhsw's home brilliantly decorated In
Mexican coIors In honor of his return
from Mexico. Fitxhew enters In the gay
costume OF Mexican and is warmly
welcomed. His descriptions Of his exps-
riences In Mexico result In much fun but
he keeps mp the prstenoe of having really |
been In Mexico to the end ana successful !
Iy conceals the fact that he has been
serving his time at BlackweII's.
The funny situations lend themsslve
to continued merriment and the play, !
built on farcioai lines, fuifiiis Its mission |
as a laugh producer. Walter e. Perkins,
a Biddeford boy, by the way, nnds In
the role OF Fitzhsw abundant opportu-
nifty for the oisplay of quaint humor, an
Invests the parts with differing comedy
which attest his versatility. He
made a good reputation as farceur in
my Friend from India" and has
In which ne portrays tire phases of this
new character. He was well supported
and Miss Maude A. Scott, in the leading |
female role OF Mrs. Fitzhew, deserves a
share of the honors for her commendable l
work. Maggie Barry acted tine part of
Col. RodeEiak Majors very acoeptahly /
md was fertile In schemes TO get his old |
friend from Mexico out OF trouble. I
Jerome Harrington offered a character
sketch of this TammAny sheriff giving us
ihe real thing In all its pristine tough
ness. An excelisnt character and one
hat afforded no little amusement was
hat OF Won Bulow Schmidt, which was
,apitally played with the regular Dutch |
iiaisct by John n. Beck Marion Long
fellow, who appeared at ths Jefferson In
The Three Little Lambs" was ar other
TO the cast pleasing TO every |
body, while others worthy OF mention are
Florence Tempiston and Pearl Ford.
rhe setting were god, also the cos
lumes. while quite large audience re-
,eived the piece with cordial approval.
The play will be repeated today, after
1oon ana evening.