r THE SUNDAY OBEGONIAff, PORLAHD', , JA3STUAEY 21, 1900. 17 brighten the story. The piece Is said to be well staged by the company which will produce it at the Marquam, and which is clalmwd to be one of uniform excellence. The s.Ie of seats begins tomorrow morn ing. , , OLYINHQLMgr. CALVIN HOUG, Mgr. MARQUAIVS GRAND 111 11 ffiWIk?--:.-- IlPlI If w rhtSHB ijll f i tyH i Shonldcr to Shoulder. Oh, sine m a song of the steadfast, A cone of the stanch and the true, "Whose -word is an armor of honor. Who do what they promise to do. The allies may be lowering above you, And shadows may darken your way; But the steadfast are shoulder to shoulder la the night time, as well sa the day. In & world where the shallow and heartless The surface of pleasure but skim. The steadfast may seem in the llme-llght .A. jewel whose luster la dim. Tet tte they who give us of heaven X foretaste of limitless bliss. For when you are supping with sorrow Ko comfort can comfort like this: To know that earth holds In Its keeping A heart that can feel as you feel, And the darker tlie way but the brighter The Jewel the shadows reveal. Then elng me a song of the steadfast. And let me thank God that I know Some hearts that embosom this Jewel To brighten ny path with its glow! Detroit Journal. 4DMIRABLE PRODUCTIONS ThoroTisIiIy Praia error thy Perform ance of the Nelll Company of Flayers at the Slartxuam. Not especially deft In technique, nor Instinct "with any compelling charm of charm of originality of story or or thought, there Is yet something very at tractiveone cannot quite persuade oneself to Bay the word, "winning" about "A Bachelor's Romance." It Is the story of a literary nan, a type that has iaxed none ttoo well at the hands of the dramatist. The literary man is Sir. David Holmes, who Is the chief contributor to a weekly paper of some repute, and who has a li brary, with an outlet npon the roof, to which, lie occasionally betakes himself, in order to escape bores. -There he has spent his years, until he is almost within the autumn of life. So ao eorbed has he become In his books that he has had. no time to see his ward a young lady of 17, to whom he continues to sena dolls and rocking-horses. But the ward comes to her guardian and the play ends with their betrothal. It Is a simple play, and one that might be presented before the girls in a convent. It is somewhat thin and weedy, and it has xeally jio story at all; but here and there It has the rlgnt touch, neither too slight nor too heavy the proper admixture of daintiness, ten darness and humor, that makes for the success of such dramatic wares. Possessed of some workmanlike qualities, it has one or two passages which are colored with an appreciable tinge of poetry. "Wins Its "Way. By reason of these merits which he who runs may read1 the play wins Its way into the heart of the audience, and becomes worthy of respect, if not of enthusiasm, One should be grateful ior Its freshness, its occasional grace, and for Its measure of restraint; in themselves virtues of no ao mean order. One does not look to gajther roses from gardenia plants, or sweet peas from geranium stalks, and the geraniums and the gardenias are good, each after a fashion of their own. The David Holmes of Mr. Nelll was" a delightful personation. Mr. Nelll is always effectively concerned' with, the lucidatlon of the character, rather than with the love story, which, with many an actor, weuld have been the "sine qua non." Tne chief quality of Mr. Neill's talent is thoughtfulness. Added to this, there Is a certain neatness and dexterity In detail. He is lacking in the art of suggestion, and In emotional range. The unworldly re cluse, the aging bookworm, seemed before us. He was so simple, so unselfish, so kind and so deserving, that we saw him made a wooer, in spite of himself, wltn the greatest satisfaction. Miss Dean is a most refreshing Ingenue. She was Sylvia, the neglected ward, and the new-found love, who came, as a ray of sunshine, into the monastic life of the bachelor. She is a winning little actress, with a most pleasing air of. innocent arch ness. Two admirable studies of old age were the roles of Mulberry and Martin Beggs. The former was acted by Mr. Burton, and the latter by Mr. Shackelford. Both ot them were graphic embodiments of sen- ty, not only in voice and manner, but In tnelr very clothes. A Parley of Provocation. It is an injustice to pass a single mem ber of the cast without special mention, but there remain three other plays which must be noticed. The last act of "A Bachelor's Homance" "sounds a parley of provocation." The marriage fury seizes -upon one and all, and the jubilation is therefore excessive. We do not trouble to follow them beyond the curtain. The eound of wedding bells has always been accepted as a satisfactory climax on the 6tage. I think It is Andrew Lang who said that all the dying refrains of ballad, all the fading echoes of story, all the memory of the wild past, and all the legends of loch and burn seem to have combined to in form the spirit of Scott. Certain It Is that, In his pages, the old years return and men long dead have life asraln. It Is a free air that blows there, and the men are gallant, frank and Indomitable. Hon or, love and friendship are the motive which take the knight and ladles through their lives of adventure. There is ever the flash and clink cf swords; secret meet ings in great chambers, or at lonely pos tern gates; countless deeds of daring. What a rich mine of romance those pages are! What a prodigy of fancy, force and industry was" their author; what a L prince of raconteurs. Scott wa3 not a microscopical realist like Balzac. He drew his pictures on broad lines'. His men and women are either all good, or all bad. The mass of mankind prefer such delinea tions of human nature. That is one of the reasons of Scott's popularity. "Amy Robsart." "Amy Bobsart" is a dramatization of "Kenilworth." On the stage Amy is even more angelic and more faultless than she Is in the novel therefore, she is more insipid. Varney appears before us un abashed in all his nakedness villain, knave, traitor and murderer. Miss Chapman gae us Inklings of femi nine fury, and so the sorrow of the luck less Amy was somewhat relieved; but the role Is one that requires all the Are and passion of a Berhardt to save It from in sipidity. -Miss Chapman acted the Tole with no inoonsiderable sweetness ana charm, and although there might have been more poignancy at certain moments, the ensemble of the personation was ex ceedingly attractive. Mr. Nelll was the Leicester. He showed the same thoucbtful perfection of detail that marks all his portrayals, and the same lack of emotional warmth. His art owes little to intention. Every character he assumes is fairly complete a rounded and finished whole. The actions are con sistent with the character. There is al ways evidence of an honest, an earnest and a thoughtful effort to give a person ation consistently elaborated. Sometimes there is a passing hint of a pervasive dis tinction. Mr. Howard was In every way excellent as "Varney. One of the distinguishing characters of Mr. Howard's acting is an admirable and effective poise. It carries with It much dramatic impressiveness. He has also force and versatility. Mr. Mc Vicars made a capital Tony Fos ter, in make-up, voice and action; and Miss Lamkin looked beautiful and was vigorous as Elizabeth. "IiOrd Chumley." I sincerely hope that few playgoers look upon "Lord Chumley" as a classic of modern comedy; that but few, If any, re gard It with wistful tenderness, with a tear In the eye and a lump in the throat, I should be extremely sorry to jar upon such feelings, and, moreover, I should re gret exceedingly that their emotion should not be better spent For, although "Lord Chumley" succeeds in arousing much laughter, It seems to me, technically, a remarkably bad play. Tet it is just pos sible that its power to amuse is its suf ficient as well as Its sole justification. The first act creates the atmosphere of a modern society comedy, only to be dis pelled by the farcical second act, and this, In its turn, Is displaced by the unblushing seldom that we are granted to witness such intelligent and careful attention to costumes, scenery, properties, and tne many small, but none the less Important, details which go to make up the general ensemble of a theatrical production. Everywhere and alwajs the hand of an efficient stage manager Is In evidence. It Is seldom that a company presenting a half-dozen plays has shown us anything finer in mounting, anything more excellent In the art of mise en scene. EARL MASLIN. OPENS TONIGHT. "Renz-Snntley Bnrlcsaue Compnny at Cordray's All the "Weelc. Beginning tonight, the well-known fa- "SOWING TUfePWIND." -ai Sydney Grnndly's Problem Piny Billed for Mnronam This Week. Few plays have attracted more comment than that bestowed upon Sydney Grundy's "Sowing the Wind.'J. which comes to the Marquam Grand Friday and Saturday of this week. The public was at first shocked at the frankness with which the play wright tackled one of the delicate social problems of civilization, but it was dis covered, that the treatment of the subject was serious and dev6Id of cause for of fense. The story Is that of a girl thrown upon the world from babyhood, without lawful parents; growing up a .concert singer in the great city of London and winning triumphs in her profession. Durlhg her career, she is met and loved by a young man of good family and comfortable for tune. The girl's name Is Rosamond, and that of her lover "Ned" Annesley. Ned is the adopted son of one Brabazon, an aristocratic, elderly gentleman, who,. In his younger years nad made a con quest of a beautiful girl, Helen Gray, by name, whose inferior eocial position for- ,p ' ' 'IJIJII 13JHHHPii Iff1 t 1 .s HENRY CliAY BARNADEE, OF THE BOSTONIANS. mous Renz-Santley novelty burlesque company will play a week's engagement at Cordray's. This is one of the oldest organizations on the road, and usually draws good houses. The company Is said to be made up of excellent people this season, and the entertainment it provides is intended to keep the audience in good humor from curtain to curtain. The pres ent burlesque is entitled the "Masquerade Eall," and among Its many features is the famous "affair of honor," in which two women fight a duel with swords Follow ing the burlesque is an olio which intro duces a number of specialties. Among the members of the company are: Gus Bruno, Al C- Lawrence, the Palmer sisters, duettists and dancers; Leo bade the idea of marriage, and several months after their separation, the child Rosamond was born. Brabazon never learned of the existence of this child, and the mother pursued a downward course. When Brabazon is informed of Ned's engagement, he finds Rosamond's birth enveloped in mystery,' and he for bids the marriage. This Is the founda tion of the situations and dialogues that follow. Ned remains true to Rosamond and is cast off by Brabazon. The girl appeals to the old man, in behalf of her lover and herself, and she is repulsed. She attacks the masculine sex for its treatment of womankind, and Brabazon, remembering his own guilty past, undertakes to ex am i .. i ii-..-. " ' ' ii " lrmiHn. i - '" ' '" , - - - .. - "AN AFFAIR OF HONOR," AS PRESENTED BY THE RENTZ-SANTLEY COM PANY. melodramatic air of the last act. It would tako but three questions to con found the plot and destroy all plausibility of the most effective situations. But who would thereby profit? The play was thoroughly well done. All the acting was good it had such a decided swing to it, and there was a proper and a cheerful enjoyment of the lines and situa tions. The Lady Adeline Barker of Miss Andrews was one of the -nest of the many excellent things she has done. Mr. Bur ton, as the retired merchant, was always effective, and occasionally " 'llarious." Mr. Neill's Chumley Is good enough to warrant a very favorable comparison with the cre ator of the role, Mr. Sothern. He was steadily funny and laughter-exciting. He Individualized Chumley into a specific personage; his attitudes and facial expres sions invariably hit the mark, and he was always infectiously droll. "Captain Swift. The performance of "Captain Swift," like every performance of the past week, was admirable. It contained what is al ways so delightful a very general excel lencewhich met with its reward of en thusiasm. The play Is the story of one of the class of rogues who, in the old days, were called plcaros. "Faithless, shameless, If not joyless, the plaything of fortune, by turn valet, gentleman, courtier, thief such were the characteristics and the things that befell the clever rascals of the pica roon tales. "Captain Swift" is the suc cessor of "The Life of Guzman de Aj farache"; Mr. Wilding Is the descendant of Gil Bias, of Claude Duval, of Jonathan Wild and of Barry Lyndon. He Is the same rogue who lives by his wits, who sometimes makes serious moral reflec tions, who sometimes satirizes the age, and who affects, even in the most trying situa tions, a supreme insouciance. Mr. Neill's Wildlns Is worthy of praise from many points of view. It had the right flavor. One gained an Impression of an intensity of life, hurrying, throbbing and burning beneath the calm and com placent surface. During the past week the production of every play presented by the Nelll company has added very appreciably to the pleas ures of the "theater-going public It is Zanfretta, "Verdie Mansfield, John T. Ba ker, Nina Bertollni, Louie Lynn, Gertrude Grey and Frank Metzger. The songs and specialties are said to be new. The usual matinee will be given Saturday. "LONDON LIFE" AT MARQUAM. Will Hold the Boards Wednesday and Thursday of This Week. "London Life" will receive its first pro duction In Portland at the Marquam Grand, on Wednesday of the current week, and will be presented also on Thurs day evening. "London Life" tells a story that should appeal to lovers of strong, emotional drama. It was successfully produced In Paris, London and New York, and in all three cities the press proclaimed its ex cellence, while the general public con firmed the verdict by thronging the the aters where it was presented. The plot of the play is Interesting. In the first act, an old baronet is found to have married an adventuress, a Span ish woman, who Is the secret ally of Granger, the baronet's secretary. The in timate relations of the precious pair are at last discovered by the baronet's daugh ter, Gladys, who, fearing the shock of the discovery upon her father, refrains from disclosing to him the situation. The bar onet orders Gladys to marry Granger, but her heart is already given to Lieutenant Harry Maxwell. Enraged at her refusal, the baronet turns Gladys out of doors. In despair the girl throws herself Into the river, but is saved by Jack Ferers, known as "Happy Jack," a fellow of gen erous Impulses, who has been falsely ac cused by Granger of a forgery committed by the secretary himself. Throughout the remainder of the play. Jack Ferrers proves himself the stanch friend of Gladys. Hl3 bravery and keen wit ultimately triumph over the machinations of Granger and his mistress. The climax of the play is brought about, after an intensely thrilling scene, In which Granger murders ihe baronet. Retribu tion, of course, overtakes the malefactor, while Jack and Gladys are assured the usual future of prosperity and happiness. The action of the play teems with striking episodes, and numerous comedy scenes cuse men of his kind. The controversy grows in Interest and Intensity, and the true relationship of the pair is finally disclosed, and the play ends. There are other Interests in the play, but they are merely incidental, serving . to introduco TWO NIGHTS ONLY, COMMENCING WEDNESDAY, JAN 24. Br., . 4&Q& f THE... TRIPLE SUCCESS AN ORIGINAL DRAM IE FIVE ACTS' A STORY OF SYMPATHY AND W5IRTH. Endorsed by Paris, London And New York Magnificent Scenic Embellishments Reproducing England's Historic Thoroughfare: Fleet Street, Piccadilly; The Thames Embankment; London's Famous Pawnshop. CROWDED HOUSES EVERYWHERE Lower floor (except last 3 rows) $1.00 ' Last 6 rows - EOo Last 3 rows 75c PRICES Gallery 25c Balcony, first 6 rows 75c Seats on sale tomorrow morning. TWO NIGHTS AND SATURDAY MATINEE, JANUARY 26 AND 27. Farewell Engagement of the New York Empire Theater Success The Great Sex Against Sex Drarha.- Presented withihe same care that characterized the per formances when last seen in this city and during its run of 200 nights in New York. Superb cast and all the original effects. PRICES. Lower Floor (except last 3 rows) ?L0O Last 3 rows 75 Balcony, first 6 rows .75 Balcony, last 6 rows .50 Gallery .25 Sale or seats begins Wednesday, January 24. ONE WEEK, BEGINNING MONDAY, JANUARY 29 America's Greatest Light Opera Company All the favorites an Incomparable ensemble. Brilliant chorus and orchestra. REPERTOIRE Monday and Thursday Nights and Saturday Matinee The Smugglers Tuesday and Friday Nhjhts The Serenade Wednesday and Saturday Nights Robin Hood Seats on sale Thursday morning at 10 o'clock, fto orders received until after tne line is broken. Entire lower floor 51.50 Balcony, first 3 rows 1.50 Balcony, second 3 rows 1.00 Balcony, third 3 rows 75c Balcony. last 3 rows 50c Gallery 25c Boxes and logea $10.00 comedy and to assist in developing the main plot. THE BOSTONIANS TfEXT WEEK. "Will Give a Week of Light Opera ni the Marqnnm. The Bostonlans will begin a week's en gagement at the Marquam Grand, Mon day of next week, and the sale of seats and boxes will open at the box-orllce of the theater on Thursday morning next, at 10 o'clock. It is expected that there will be as great a demand for seating accom modations as was the case last season, when the famous organization did so well In Portland. The Bostonlans are so well known in this city that it is not necessary to sound their praises at the present writing. They are pleasantly remembered by all classes of music-lovers, and It is safe to assume that, with the repertoire announced for next week, a profitable and brilliant sea son of light opera may be expected. But slight changes are noted in the personnel of the company, but such as have been mado have added to its strength. That gonial comedian, Henry Clay Barnabee; the popular baritone, "W. H. MacDonald, and Helen Bertram, George Prothlngham, W. H. Fitzgerald and Miss Josephine Bartlett are, of course, among the singers who were here last year, while among the newcomers is the young contralto, Marcla Van Dresser, who is credited with pos sessing not only a fine contralto voice, but stage presence and beauty of a most at tractive kind. M'ss "Van Dresser is a re gal brunette, and music-lovers who keep In touch with current doings will remem ber that she created a sensation in the production of "The Great Ruby" at Daly's theater, New York. Grace Cameron, a dashing young lyric soprano; Frank Rush worth nnd Frederick Knights, hand some young tenors, and John Dunsmure, the basso, are also of the company. Among other singers with attractive per sonalities, are Charles R. Haw ley, Edith Hendee, Margaret Stewart, James E. Mil ler and Harry Dale. A carefully selected chorus of trained voices and an augment ed orchestra, directed by S. L. Studley, will again be features. The repertoire for the week Is as fol- lows: On Monday and Thursday- evenings and Saturday matinee, the new light op era, "The Smugglers"; on Tuesday and Friday nights, Victor Herbert's "The Ser enade"; on "Wednesday and Saturday nights, "Robin Hood." The same scale of prices that prevailed last season Is adopt ed this. "IVIIili SOON VISIT HERE. J "WagrejihalH and Kemper's Iteviial of "The Winter's Tale." Wagenhals and Kemper's "great star tri- The Fra-rrley Engagement. Among those who will appear with the umvirate." Louis James. Kathryn Kidder I Frawlev comnanv at Cordray's soon Is ... - i and Charles B. Hanford, will be seen hero at an early date. In a magnificent scenic revival of Shakespeare's "The "Winter's Tale," which has not been attempted In this country, until this season, since Mary Andereon's revival at Palmer's theater, in New York, 11 years ago. Managers Wag enhals and Kemper have given this classic comedy a magnificent mounting, one of the finest ever given a Shakespearean r'vival. A corps of artists was employed on the production from May until September. The models vere taken from the most authen tic Greek sources, designed by Abbey and painted by Bradley and Corbett. The pro duction 13 embellished with costly Grecian antiquities, and all the elaborate draperies, properties and furniture are carried by the management. The costumes are from Hermann, from designs by Anderson. Miss Kidder will be seen in the dual role of Hermlone and Perdlta, the characters In which Mary Anderson made her fare well appearance on the stage. Mr. James will have a congenial part in Autolycus. and Mr. Hanford will be the King Leontes. A company of exceptional ability sur rounds the stars, among whom are the vet erans, Harry Langdon, John Ellsler and Mrs. Henry Vandenhoff. praise from New York critics In the char acter of Hohenstauffen, in a play of hl3 own writing. Mr. Clement has been se cured by MIS3 O'Nell for her Australian tour, and will be seen in Portland when she comes to Cordray's, February 2. Miss O'Nell herself is exceedingly popular In Portland, and is practically assured of crowded houses on her return. She will present "Macbeth," Ibsen's "Hedda. Gab bler," and "East Lynne." Miss- Minette Barrett, who will be remem bered here as Miss Minnie Smith. Mr. Frawley Is now playing to big business at the California theater, in San Francisco, and, under his direction, his company has become one ot the strongest on the coast. He will give some of the best plays in his repertoire during his engagement in Port land. Interest In the engagement in creases as the date of its opening draws near. Rapid Rise of a Yonng Actor. Clay Clement, who Is now supporting Nance O'Nell, has come to the front rap Idly In his profession. Not many years ago he was playing in stock In Port land, and, while giving promise of greater achievement at that time, it was with considerable surprise that Portlanders learned that he had won the highest "The Dll's House" Comlngr. Among the attractions which will soon appearatCordray's Is "The Doll'3 House," to be presented by Miss Clara Thropp. one of the first exponents of the Ibsen drama In America. Miss Thropp ha3 been seea In Portland and Is popular here. "While here last season, she lectured on "Ibsen" before the Woman's Club, and made many acquaintances among students of litera ture. She Is said to have a strong com pany this year, and to have played to good business. Minstrels at Cordray's Soon. Richards and Prlncles' minstrels "will be one of the attractions at Cordray'a theater soon. This is one of the best known minstrel companies on the road, and has been increasing In popularity year by year. It i3 said to have some excel lent specialty people and singers In t3 ranks this season, and a thoroughly good band. There are many new features claimed for the entertainment the minstrels) will give In Portland. People's Popular Playhouse CORORAY9S THEATER JOHN F. CORDRAY, Manager OME WEEK, COMMENCING TONIGHT, SUNDAY, JANUARY 21 MATINEE SATURDAY NOVELTY COMF 1 1 la -1N- .gri MlMM3HMWnMMIWTTMrTii ... rTB,Tr MT w wMBBwmam PRESENTING COMEDY, VAUDEVILLE AND PANTOMIME. USUAL PRICES. ADAPTED FROM THE FAMOUS PAINTING BY BAYARD IN THE BOUJERE SALON, PARIS.