The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current, December 28, 1902, PART THREE, Page 20, Image 20

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"A TE3IPERANCE TOWN."
Charles Hoyt's Great Comedy "Will
Kun This Weelc at tlie Baker.
The attraction at the Baker Theater all
this week, starting with the matinee per
formance this afternoon, will be that
well-known and splendid comedy by the
late Charles Hoyt, "A Temperance
Town." This comedy is considered the
best ever written by the famous play
wright, and this will be the first time It
has ever been presented in Portland, so
there is every reason to believe that the
Baker Theater will have its capacity
tested at every performance. The plot
deals with the endeavors of the prohibi
tion element to suppress the sale of liquor
in a small town in "Vermont. It tells of a
man who was a soldier in the Union
Army being arrested and tried on the
charge of selling liquor, which is strictly
against the laws of that state. Finally a
raid Is made on his "Joint" and he is tried
and convicted. He is about to be sent to
prison, when an old friend, whose life he
had saved during the war, appears on the
scene and pays his fine. Incidental to the
plot there is a pretty love story, the prin
cipals of which are Ruth Hardman and
John "Worth. Ruth Is in sympathy with
the "Jointist" because of his family, and
-warns him of a raid that is to be made
on his place, and for this she Is turned
out of her home by her father, a minister
of the Gospel, and one of the leaders
against the rumsellers. Finally he sees
his error and solicits his daughter to re
turn to her home, which she does for her
mother's sake. Two very Important parts
In the play are Mink Jones and Bingo
Jones. Mink is popular as the shiftless
character of the town, whose hearfis in
the right place despite the fact that lie Is
against the temperance cause and a
stanch friend of liquor. His arguments
in his efforts to keep his son from1 signing
the pledge are ridiculously funny, and, In
fact, he contributes largely to the success
of the play. Bingo Is the town boy, whom
everybody knows, and also assists In pro
viding a large amount of fun for the
spectators.
"A Temperance Town" has been ac
corded great success in the past, and was
given a phenomenal run in New York.
The Nelll Stock Company twill also pre
sent this comedy at the special New
Tear's matinee.
TODAY AT COIUJItAY'S.
Kerr Year's "Week Commences at Cor
dray's This Afternoon at 2:1B.
"The Irish Pawnbrokers," the third
edition of which is presented by Joe W.
gpears' farce-comedy star triumvirate, Is
the work of Edgar Selden. the prolific play--wrlghJfc
"who has contributed many suc
cesses to the American stage, his most
recent hits, the Rays' "A Hot Old Time."
being still warm in the affections of
amusement lovers. This new edition of
The Irish Pawnbrokers" Is said to be
one of the brightest, cheekiest pieces of
extravaganza yet seen, abounding with
comical situations and dialogue, the
smartness of which is beyond dispute.
Mr. Selden would seem to have kept
this motto In view throughout "Who
-would write three-act musical farce must
. i ot trlflos " The fur. Ic i
never t :"t
iiAVpnua
The heart auaua ui iuc amorous miaaie
asred Adonis have always played an im
portant part in works of this description,
and mfch of the trouble In "The Irish
Pawnbrokers" is brought about in the
same -way. IvI Murphy, part owner of
Tne, Soak Away Pawnshop," receives
- communication addressed in affection
ate terms and Intended for his son of the
atne name. The letter is signed by a
lady presumably the wife of his bosom
4902.
, ORACfcYHN
s- PRIMA
friend and partner, one Marmaduke, re
joicing in the family appellation of Ange
llne O'Flarlty. On this point hinges the
hilarious construction.
Joseph W. Spears Is said to have gotteir
togethor an unusually strong organiza
tion for this special production, first and
foremost among whom may be mentioned
Mazie Trumbull, in her captivating in
terpretation of the star soubrette role
of "Angellne." Of the male characters,
Mr. Joe J. Sullivan Is seen as Levi Mur
phy. Mr. William Kenney Mack as Mar
maduke O'Flarlty. Others of a large cast
are Delmore & Wilson, Joe J. Conlan,
Bobby Bryant, Joe Ward, W. H. Spencer,
Eddie Brown, Mayme Taylor, the Warner
sisters, the Lylo sisters and a chorus of
pretty and shapely girls. All of the scen
ery Is of spick and span newness, the
last act being a remarkable production of
an East Side pawnbroker's shop as seen
in New York City. Those who would
enjoy three hours of the heartiest laugh
ter should exchange their cares for the
chunks of enjoyment handed out by "The
Irish Pawnbrokers." Special New Year's
holiday matinee given with the usual la
dles' and children's matinee Saturday.
BOSTON'IANS IN "ROBIN HOOD."
Famous Light Opera "Will Be Seen
Tomorrow Mgrht at the Marqnam.
At the Marquam Grand Theater tomor
row (Monday), Tuesday nights and Wed
nesday afternoon, Mr. H. C. Barnabee, Mr.
W. H. MacDonald, Miss Grace Van Stud
dlford and the other members of the Bos
tonians, will appear in the most famous
of all light operas, "Robin Hood." This
season the Bostonlans have made special
efforts with their organization with the
view of a magnificent new production, and
its recent revival at the New York Acad
emy of Music was even a greater success
than on its original presentation. There Is
no doubt that, from a musical standpoint,
the legion that has witnessed this gem of
comic opera will be able to discover new
beauties in its delightful score. From all
accounts the Bostonlans will give equally
as brilliant an account of themselves as
they did when "Robin Hood" first made
its bid for fame with its refreshing melo
dies. The staging of "Robin Hood" will
be entirely new. The scenery was ex
pressly painted for the great stage of the
New York Academy, and the costumes
newly designed for the revival. The bal
let and original stage groupings will offer
new pictures,, of the revels of Sherwood
Forest, and the chorus -will be much larger
than on any previous presentation of
"Robin Hood." The Bostonlans produce
a new Smith and De Koven opera on
Wednesday night, which, from all acounts
is a worthy successor of the old-time fa
vorite, "Robin Hood."
The Philadelphia Inquirer says of its ap
pearance in that city:
"Well, after all the doubts and fears
over this performance, it can be truthfully
said that it Is a successor to the thousands
of times repeated 'Robin Hood.' . . .
There are reasons to believe that this
work will rival in interest the opera, that
gave the Bostonlans fame and fortune.
. . . The librettist has chosen to carry
on the ancient and ever-delightful story
on the same spirit as the original, preserv
ing the same characters, but introducing
new themes and new places. The com
poser has undertaken to make his music
as tuneful and harmonious as the original
great success, while the stage management
has done its best to eclipse former achieve
ments. . . . Mr. De Koven "has certainly
returned to his first love and has given
us some delicious melodies. . . . The
prime quality of the music Is melody. It
runs from beginning to end the music
Is full of the old English madrigal style
that has outclassed centuries; and can
never be displaced. . . . This opera will
take its place among the undoubted suc
cesses of the last few years, for the rea
TH!E tjPNDAY
AT
Depart
WOrSO
111
10
5TUDDBf ORD. f U
DonrtA v I s27
son that it is dominated by melody that
real melody that appeals to every lover of
music.
NEW YEAR'S AT THE MARQUAM.
Fine Scenic Production of the Fa
mous Comedy-Drama "Shore Acres."
Usually when a play has stood the test
of 10 consecutive seasons, the public, or
rather, that portion of it which attends
theaters, loses interest in It. This, how'
ever, is not the case with James A.
Heme's famous comedy-drama, "Shore
Acres," which seems to be constantly
growing in popularity. The past season
Mrs. Heme claims was the most profit
able, financially, the present company
has yet had, and that Is a pretty fair
gauge whereby to judge of the play's
continued attractiveness.
"Shore Acles," which is to bave a fine
new scenic production at the Marquam
Grand Theater, beginning with the New
Year's matinee, and continuing the bal
ance of the week, with a matinee Satur
day, is generally accepted as the best
pastoral comedy known to the t English
speaking stage, and It 'has a peculiar In
terest to all lovers of the home and fire
side. Tie story of the play is too well
known to bear repetition. It deals with
the fortunes of a young girl, Helen, whose
father, Martin Berry, is opposed to her
marriage to a rising but penniless doctor
with advanced Ideas; the kindliness of her
uncle, Nat Berry, who Is the principal
character in the story; the subsequent
ruin of the old man and the return of his
daughter and her husband in time to save
the farm from foreclosure by the mort
gagee, a land boomer, through whoso at
tentions the girl has been obliged to leave
heme.
The nlot of the play allows of many
powerful scenes, the famous kitchen with
a genuine, old-fashioned turkey dinner
in course of baking, and the lighthouse
being the best.
The advance sale of seats will be placed
on sale next Tuesday morning at 10
o'clock.
Coming: Attractions.
"Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines,"
which will shortly be seen here at the
Marquam Grand Theater, has taken the
fancy of the theater-goers as no other
attraction has done in many years. Every
body old enough may recall the fact that
SO years ago, this fantastic name was
immensely popular as the title of a song,
and an equal vogue has now come to the
play of the same title. It is described as
a dellclously funny comedy, embodying
a pretty love story. The play ran for 200
nights at the Garrlck Theater, New York,
an unprecedented run at this house for
any attraction. The play serves to in
troduce Miss Elizabeth Kennedy, in the
chief female role, that of Mme. Trentoni,
an opera prima donna, of American birth
and European distinction.
, Coming: to Cordrny'n.
"Sandy Bottom," a beautiful play of
love and honor and intrigue, follows "The
Irish Pawnbrokers" at Cordray's Theater.
The play is somewhat on the lines of
"Shore Acres" and "The Homestead,"
with more of a Southern atmosphere. An
excellent company of well-known people
are in the cast, such as R. E. French,
as Colonel Jed Carter; Eva Earle French!
Lorrette Babcock, Helen RIdgeway
Jacques Caldwell, J. E. Jackson and oth
ers. Dramatic Notes.
Sam Ii. Studley Is still the' leader of tho
i Bostonlans' orchestra. He has been with
the iiostonians over i& years, and con-
1 ducted the first performances of both
"Robin Hood' and "Maid Marian."
There were more peoplo turned away
OBEGOMIAN, PORTLAND,
TffE THEATERS
Old Year 'grown ' grey and . hoary,
The Mew YkARtcoiETH,
TO1 'FAVORITE PLAYERS DO... WE 'SAY;
WE 6EEET ' THEiEW, BUT BID TUB OLD .ONES
BE
pfES T. GALLON
"
UNCLE WOT
'SHORE ACRE3
every night from the New York Academy
of Music during the engagement of the
Bostonlans there than would have crowd
ed any average playhouse in that city.
An average of 3300 people nightly paid for
admission to witness the big revival of
"Robin Hood."
Grace "Van Studdlforfl, the Bostonlans'
prima donna, has signed a contract for a
European engagement to commence at
the end of the regular season. She will
make her first appearance abroad In Ber
lin at the end of next June, sailing Im
mediately after the Bostonlans close,
about June 2.
IMITATION MAGDAIjENS.
New York Critic Analyzes Mrs.
Fiske's New Drama.
Kate Carew, in the New York Evening
World, has this to eay 'of "Mary of Mag
dala": "We were connoisseurs in imitation
Magdalens before Mrs. Fiske came to
the rescue with the real article.
"We had surfeited of New Magdalens,
Modern Magdalens, Tanqueray Magda
lens, Iris Magdalens, Magda Magdalens,
and all the weird magdellneatlons of
Pinero, Suderman & Co.
"Mrs Flske, at the Manhattan Theater
last night, In one of the most beautiful,
brainy, big, costly and artistic produc
tions ever seen, in New York, gave us
the original Magdalen the Bible Magda
len, whose association with the great
drama of Christendom has condemned
her, poor soul, to stand godmother to
every pastful lady that swishes her
speckled skirts across the stage.
"A good, gray poet of Germany, Paul
Heyse, has taken some of the leading In
cidents of the New Testament story,
mixed them with others hatched in his
own well-trained Imagination, and com
pounded a powerful play, which Mrs.
Fiske, after two years of deep archaeo
logical research and preparation, ha3
placed upon the stage with every thinka
ble circumstance of grandeur and solem
nity. rtWhen you consider that such familiar
biblical characters as Caiaphas, Judas
and Mary Magdalen are important per
sonages in the play, and that the greatest
figure in the world's religious history is
felt to be so near at hand that you mo
mentarily expect to see him portrayed in
person when you consider this, it is
something to say for the drama and its
producers and actors that there Is. not a
jarring moment in the performance, nor
a loophole for irreverence, nor a single
Instant when the sheer human interest
of the drama, apart from religion, loses
Its grip on you.
" The Suderman - Pinero - Nethersole -Campbell
Magdalens have preached at us
till we have yawned; the Heyse-Fiske
Magdalen hasn't a yawn-producing mo
ment Which is another .argument In fa
vor of the plaintive advertising merchant
who entreats you to 'Beware of Imita
tions.' "To those who hunger for biblical 'at
mosphere,' this Fiske production will be
a boon and a blessing. Here is ancient
Jerusalem, its life, its sunlight. Its cos
tumes and characters, Its interiors and
exteriors, reproduced as faithfully as
learning and money and the stage man
ager could accomplish it. The result is
wonderfully Interesting.
"There are four sage sets: A room In
Mary Magdalen's house, Oriental, vari
colored and mysterious; a room In tho
house of Aulus Flavlus, Roman effects,
green marble pillars, open on two sides
to a sunlit flower garden; a square In
Jerusalem, perfect Illusion of the "crowded
architecture in an Oriental city; a ravine
near Jerusalem, a weird triumph of scene
carpentry and painting.
"These scenes are peopled, apart from
the leading actors, with crowds pictur
esquely and accuratelv costumed, and, bet
ter yet, perfectly drilled in the crowding
.DECEMBBE 28, 1902.
bright withyqu
as
V3
WIS;
If
7l
-v.
art It is terribly easy to be one of a
crowd In real life, but to be one of a
crowd on the stage Is a triumph of hum
ble skill.
"The greatest moment for this accom
plished crowd, and to my mind the most
moving, though it is not the most Impor
tant incident in the play, -was when It
pursued Magdalen into the young Ro
man's house, clamoring for her blood
until checked by old Simon, who hurled
at them the words quoted from Him who
was dramatically supposed to be in the
adjoining garden, 'He that is without sin
among you, let him cast the first stone!'
"To see the rebuke strike home to each
member of that Jerusalem mob, and to
see them slink away, each with his or her
private conscience-stab, was a pretty les
son in stage management although the
audience tried to spoil the scene by has
tening to applaud the familiar quotation
how audiences do dote on familiar quota
tions! "Mrs. Fiske's Mary of Magdala will
rank with the best work she has done.
With everything against her physically
she conquered by sheer brains and tem
perament In appearance she may not
have been like your picture or mine of a
luxurious lady of dubious reputation, who
wins every male creature within reach,
but Mrs. Fiske rises superior to appear
ances, and you believed the male creatures
when they raved over her.
"Even words are not necessary to Mrs.
Fiske. In the street scene she stands
humbly motionless near the wings, while
a long and violent scene is enacted In the
center of the stage, holding In her hands
the alabaster box of ointment Motionless,
mind you, and without change of expres
sion, and with no friendly calcium shaft to
single her out and yet that silent, obscure
figure holds a steady beart-to-heart talk
with you that gives you an acute attack
of the swallowy complaint so dear to the
matfhee girl.
"All this, In spite of the fact that Mrs.
uisKes locomotion partakes of the nature
of a matronly trot, as staccato as her
speech, and that she has a housekeeperly
way with her, as if the languorous luxury
of the Magdalen were as nothing compared
with the Importance of dusting the best
china. And you can't persuade me that the
gifted Mrs. Fiske couldn't, if she tried
very hard, manage to bo just a wee little
bit less uncompromising and business-like
in some of her scenes.
"Having ventured to say which, one
should make haste to hurl a large
bouquet at her for the total ex
tinction and annihilation of the
absurd calcium man. Whole scenes
played In dimness, and even in dark
ness, when dimness and darkness are dra
matically desired think of It! No polite
fiction of a darkened stage, with one sub
lime starshlp Illumined with flattering
and ghastly searchlight, but sure-enough
darkness, such as we occasionally enjoy in
real life!
"Chief among the other performers was
Tyrone Power, who, vastly Improved in
his acting, made a stunning impression
,by his portrayal of Judas. Of a wild
and gloomy grandeur in appearance, he
looked as If he had stepped from the
frame of an old master In some monas
tery chapel. Powerful, passionate
haughty, and. in the end, driven with
savage remorse, his performance would
have made its mark deep even without
the traditional horror that clings to the
name of Judas. ,
"His thunderstorm scene in the last act
is too long, however. Stage lightning
and tea-tray thunder pall quickly. Last
night's audience wondered if it would
never clear up again.
"Henry Woodruff plays an Important
part that of a young Roman with great
spirit and feeling, but It is beyond his
still boyish powers. Rose Eytinge, In the
part of a- devoted serving woman, shows
the value of stage experience.
"It Is eald that the Bible is less popular
than it once was, but there- is every rea-
theulj - jLoby -
STAY.
it TEF1PERANCETOWN
f -by KB I ISL Stock c o.
1
Vat baker TREATS
b4
IWIE
IRISH
CO K
son why the dramatized New Testament
should drive the dramatized novel back
to the shelves. KATE CAREW."
WHEN LONGFELLOW COOKED
Old Fireplace in Bowdoin College
Hall Where Poet Prepared Meals.
Now York Tribune.
When the sons of Bowdoin gathered at
the old college in Brunswick, Me., in June,
on the occasion of the celebration of the
completion of Its first century of educa
tional work, many a fading memory of
school days was refreshed and many a
good story brought again to mind by the
sight of the ancient buildings that formed
the college settlement in years long past,
and that appear so shabby now among
their new and handsome- neighbors.
First in Interest among these old struc
tures Is Massachusetts Hall, the original
building of Bowdoin, which, at the open
ing of the college In 1S02 housed the facul
ty, the eight students of the first enter
ing class, the library and all the other be
longings of the institution. This little
brick building has a peculiar attraction
for those who admire the poet Longfellow,
for here, as a student, he roomed, studied
and prepared his own meals. In a room
on the first floor is a capacious fireplace,
which has remained unchanged since the
day the first logs blazed upon its broad
hearth, and It was at this yawning gap in
the old hall's chimney that Longfellow did
his cooking.
Whether or not the poet was a good cook
does not appear In any of the records of
Bowdoin, but he had the best facilities
then afforded at the college, the fireplace."
wun its turning spir, swinging crane tt7
support the kettles and pots and its glow
ing beds of coals for broiling being con
sidered superior to the stoves of those
days. Strangely enough, no photograph
was taken of the old fireplace until this
Summer, although thousands of visitors
have called to see it, and until recently
few outside the college have been aware
of the. Interesting fact that It was once
utilized by Longfellow for the toasting of
bread and the .browning of flapjacks.
Among the chief treasures of the college
library Is the copy of Horace that was
used by Longfellow, concerning which tho
4M4
TRUMBULL
PAWNBROKERS,
DRAYS .
Rev. Dr. Egbert C. Smith narrates, an In
intereeting circumstance. Professor Smyth
managed to get possession of the rare lit
tle volume, and presented It to the libra
ry. He heard the story from the Rev.
John S. C. Abbott, who was one of Long
fellow's classmates, as follows:
' "The poet became especially Interested
In one of the Horatlan odes, and wrote out
a translation of it, which he was by some
chance called upon to recite at the public
examination of his class. He had been
hoping, as he eat there quaking in the
presence of the members of the examin
ing board, that the passage he should be
called upon to construe would be this par
ticular ode, and his wish was gratified.
Benjamin Orr, trustee, was present, and,
being a lover of Horace, was much pleased
with Longfellow's polished translation.
Not long after this, the professorship of
modern languages was established, and
Mr. Orr promptly named Longfellow for
the place. The young poet was chosen,
and he owed his selection wholly to the
Impressive translation which he had given
of the Horatlan ode."
Poor Family Saved by Uncle' "Will.
Pittsburg Dispatch.
Eight fatherlesfl children living in Bea
ver township, near Waco, Neb., have re
ceived a lift froiri their present poverty
by the recent death at Pittsburg of an
uncle. They are the children of James
Campbell, formerly of Beaver precinct,
who died some months ago. leaving noth
ing on which the widow and children could
live.
The mother has just received word of
the division of her husband's brother's es
tate at Pittsburg, amounting to 5S0.00O.
Under the terms of the division James
Campbell's children receive one-fifth of
this, an aggregate of ?16,000, or J2000 for
each child.
To Honor Memory of a Boy Xlero.
Chicago Record-Herald.
Wesley Reynolds, the 16-year-old boy
hero who gave up his life while defend
ing treasures intrusted to his care. Is
likely to be honored wlth an enduring
memorial. A movement started here to
erect a monument In his honor at West
ville has received cordial indorsement
from banks In various parts of the coun
try. Tho detectives at work on the caso
believe the murderers are hiding in Chicago.