The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-12-30
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
THE BOSTON MUSEUM GO.


While large and apprsclative audience as
sembled in Portland Theatre Saturday after
noon at the matinee performance given BY the
Portland Museum Company, it was reserved
for the evening to draw such house as is gath
cred together only upon special occasion. The
plays selec ed for the latter entertainment were
Byron's comedy in three acts of partners for
Life" and the farce of ''The Inqusitive Oar.
key
partners for L'fe' is one Of those modern
English comedies that depend upon the
natural, quiet acting Of actors versed in the
ways of good society, for success. Like many
OF its class it possesses. considerable bright disz
logue, especially in the last act, but somehow
or other, the most of the characters seem
sketchy, and the play got up in hurry to
answer managers demand for something
new. The scene is laid at the country mansion
o q prosperous Eoglish merchant, Horace
MervyD, who in his youth has married (or
thinks he has msrried) a woman who was real
~ at the time another mans wife; this secret is
known to Muggles, his servant, who uses it to
rule his master. Tom Glrog, who if he mar
ries without Meryyn's consent loses his inberi-
lance; Fanny Smith, Toms secretly welded
wife, from whom be has previously been separ-
ated Eve years, aud with whom Mervyn is in
love, or thinks bin Self to be; Emily Mervyp,
niece Of old MerSyn's and Earnest, her cousin,
both greatly in love and desperately Jealous of
each oher; and an elderly maiden sister of
Mervyn's Miss Priscilla; these are the priDci-
pal characters, and al are at Mervyn's home
either as regular inmates or visitors, during the
play. Warren as Muggles, the familiar SER
e
notwithstanding the exceilency of the
others, the piece must have fal-
len fiat. And yet Mrs. Vincent was
very amusing as the maiden syster; Mr.. Crisp,
despite yislditV Of figure and movement, q
b ight, lively Tom; Miss Annie Clark, 9 very
pleasing Fanny Smi b, displaying more anfms-
ton than We are accustou Ell to see 10 her: Mr..
Burrows an exc lleot Horace Mervyp ;Mr. Rug
q very cnmicai DrellincOurI, and the rest Of the
cast deserving of praise,
Among the musical selections Burnhams
orchestra perfor med the following; ola the
New Home, waltzes, by Kela Bella, selection
f'om Chimes OF Normandy, and Schmeicbel-
katzehen Gallop BY Julius Haipauer.
UNCLE rows CABIN.
at Music Hill Saturday afternoon and
evening ard were very much pleased with the
acting of Miss Minnie Foster, Pottia Albee,
aud he rest Uf the company in "Uncie Toms
Cabin"
PENCILS CONCERT
At the requess Of many friends, Mr.. A. e.
Pencil has concluded to offer admission tick
cts to his concert on Thursday evening next. at
so cents each. The programme is to be a very
attractive me, and the copcert should oe large
~ attended. Seas can now be secured at Stock
bridges.
NOTES.
The tickets for the performance of "Sheila,"
10 which Dotlie Bowel will appear with J. G.
Myers Go. at Muse Hall, Thursday evening,
viii be ready Thursday morning.
Tue S5iakosch Opera Company have reached
New YORK aud will appear ID Boston the first
week 10 February
Every oody is delighted with the Lilliputisn
Opera Company who zee them, They will ap-
pe .r 10 81 ack the GIANT Killer" at Music II all
next Friday and Saturday. So far as the act
ing goes, It is as expressive and vivacous as
that of fuli-sized people, and there is no appre-
benson on the part Of the spectal or that the
little folks are exertiDg themselves unduiy.
Miss Jennie aud Admiral Dot are especially
demonstrative aud natural in their acting. The
speclalties are more grotesque than the Oper-
eta, and the sig t of the big drum beaten Wig
orouslv BY the Admiral, " ho is out Of sight be-
hind it compared with the overwhelming pres
epce of be giant provokes excessive laughter.
The exhibition Will be rare treat for the lit
tie ones, and hearty amusement for the older
fo1ka