The Portland daily press., 1901-01-22
"THE RUNAWAY GIRL. "

"The Runaway Girl with Arthur
Dunn and an efficient company gave o
performances last evening at the Jefferson
theatre which proved to be among the
best In its line that our entertainment
seeking psople have witnessed this sea-
son. Mr.. Dunn Is a mirth provoking
comedian and interprets clipper" the
Jockey, In a way that kept the audience
roaring. He has adopted, OF course, some
of the characteristios OF his worthy
predecessor, James Powers, but seems to
q good deal of the ''horss play" There
have been other changes in the cast since
the first production, but the general
standard of excellence has not been ap-
probably lowered. Celeste Wynn and
Miriam Lawrsncs. as the singing gir |,
and the stroller, respectively, play their
parts most accsptably. Mr.. Atkins
Scotch accent is as smooth as of yors and
Henry Leones Pescars Is a quite finished
Characterization. The music is catchy
and at times quite tuneful, and the lyrics
by Hopwood and Greenbank have the
true ring. There Is an imposing array
of chorus girls, peasants, gondoliers,
hrigands, etc., aud some Of the ensemble
numbers deserve a word of praiss. All
In all the comedy was an enjoyable one
and was witnessed by large audience at
its only presentation In the city.
ROWE KING COMPANY.
The Rowe King company, who played
a successful engagen ent at the Portland
theatre early in the season, were warmly
welcomed on their return to the same re-
sort last evening, where they opsned
in the play entitled For Liberty and
Love- Miss Grace q. Hamilton, who
heads the cast, Is favorahly known to
| our theatre goers and for many years
appeared here as second to the popular
soubretts Kathsring Rober. She has
risen to the height of leading lady by the
versatility with which she adopts herself
| to the vaIisd roles Of a repertoire com
pany and dresses her characters most
effectively, possessing many teautiful
gowns. Last night in a strong military
melodrama she acted the part OF Char
lotto Casssnora with more than ordi
| nary ability and scored decided success
Leonard Rowe and Harry King who
take the leads In the male contingent
are favorabIy remembered and do most
acceptable work. The supporting cas-
| includes Howard Adams, who looks ths
part OF Capt. Mori and plays 1t to per
fection. Minnie Lane, Miss Goldie anc
Henrietts Hunt contributed their Bit
and each evening q string of speciaitiel
is offered by several members whict
adds much to the sum total Of amuse
ment. Matinee performances VIII begir
today when "Freeborn American" vii
be presented and tonight the company
plays Leah the ForsAksn," In which
Miss hamilton IL afforded a strong roIe
allowing her scope for her gifts as al
emotional actrefs.
OUR NEW MINISTER.
.'Our New Minister" a comedy dram,
in three acts, by Denman Thompson
and George W. Ryer, returns to tn
jefferson theatre next Monday eveninl
January 2s. having played here cart.
is by the authors of "The Old Home
st sad, is sufficient assurance that tn
new play is something out OF the oTdi
nary, and when to this 'is added the an
nouncemsnt that 1t 10 built on the sam
lines as that most celebrated New Eng
land idyl, one may safely conclude tina
the production Will meet with yer.
cordial reception. It is not q religious
play, as the title might naturally sue
gest, but rather a simple narrative Q
every day life in a New England rura
community. with narrow minded
hard headed and olose-fistsd piety on th
one side, and warm hearted, generous
broad, humanitarian impulses on th
other. The new minister arrays himsel
ON the side of liberality and that broa
cathoIicity- which preaohes charity