The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-02-25
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
HowARn,s VARIETIES

HOWARD'S VARIETIES.
Mr.. Howard opened his new variety hall last
evening to fair-sized audience. The enter.
tainment went off very we'll considering it was
the first night and but one rehearsal had been
held. Two drawbacks were the apparent lack
of familiarity of the orchestra with the music,
and the.darkness of the stage. There was q
lack of snap and ginger on the part of the COM
psny which we hope will be remedied in the
future. Some of the features were very good
such as Donahue and Gary, Joe Harrison and
his comic dwarf, and the LAckawauna Spo0o.
ers. But if Mr.. Howard expects to do any
kind of business in the variety line here he has
got to engage a much more talented and varied
class of performers. The comparison with
Wally Wards old companies is too much in
favor of the former manager. There will be a
change Of bill tonight, and things will. we
trust, 60 better.
H. M. s. PINAFORE.
"PiDafore" Is the rage throughout the Union
now. The Dramatic News correspondence
shows that out of every ten cities at the present
time eight have Pinafore company. Under
these circumstance it is evident that this comic
opera takes hold of the popular and artistic
tastes with equal force. The opera will BE- pre-
scented here with the full force of the Boston
MUSEUM Singing company OIL Of people, on
Friday and Saturday next and at Saturday
matinee. Tnere was q large sale of 8 ats yes
terday, and we expect TO see crowded houses at
each performance. Get tickets at once.
ROBINSON cRUsoE.
There was good demand for seats yesterday
for the performance to be given by Mathis
burlesque troupe at Portland Theatre Wednes-
day and Thursday next Robinson Orusoe is
one of the burlesques that Lydia Thompson 8
company has made famous Mafit is one of
the best clowns in the country. Clara Fisher
is we'll known here in connection with the
long engagement at the opening of Shaw and
Elis's Museum. and afterwards with the
Wethersby- Goodwin troupe. Harry Josephs
was the Catherine in "Evangelne." E. s.
"arr and Flora Lee were in the same mpany
and Nat Jones and the other actors are very
competent people. The piece will be well
mouuted, we'll costumed aud winds up with q
grand harlequinade.
The performance of 1.-THE Country Squire
by the d. S. D. Club at g. A. r. Hall next
Wednesday night, will form an attractive per-
formance. Get tickets at DR.. Sylvestsr's or G.
al. Lamson's.
NOTES.
Modjeska and Louise Pomroy will play on
the New England circuit In April.
Father Giovanni, French monk at Rome,
whose marvellous tenor voice has drawn great
crowds to the church where he sings. is said to
be about to take the stage as profession.
Miss Gary has heen studying Carmen, and
may appear in the role during the Sac Frar-
else engagement of the S:rakosch company.
Mr. Charles 81. Thayer is completing, and
will soon produce with his company, q new
dramatic absurdity" entitled "Next Door
Neighbours" which is said to be an exceeding
ly amusing piece. containing even more fun
than "Babv.''
George Lssrock, leading man at McVick-
er's Theatre, Chicsg :, left that establishment
without notice last Tuesday, on account of a
grievance hs had against the management. and
it was with great difficulty that substitute
was procured. Mr.. McVicker denounced his
course in s,roog terms befole the audience on
Tuesday night. aud Ls4rock has come out in a
card defending himself.
There is to bs an Ola Folks Concert in Ply
mouth Church on Friday evening, February
28th A very pleasant entertainments is in
prospect for those who avail themselves of this
opportunity.
The tickets for the Humpty Dumpty per-
f)rmances at Music Hall will be ready at the
bJx office tomorrow.