The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-12-03
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
THE yoKEs FA MILY.

THE VOKES ia MlLY.
Last night the celebrated Vokes Family
made their first appearance in Portland, and
Portland Theatre held one of the largest, and
assuredly one of the most fashionable audiences
even seen within its walls Many OF those
present hand witnessed the Bellies OF the
Kitchen in the "days of old" and were anx'
ious to ascertain whether they would exert the
same powers of fascination as before.
The performances began with the comedy
of "Cousin joe, expanded and altered to suit
the wants of the company, and SO arranged as
afford Miss Victoria and Mr.. Fred Vokes an
opportunity to exhibit their varied accomplish
ments. Victoria is, if anything, better
actress than she used to be, and that is saying
a great deal. She sparkled from the beginning
to the end of the play. She was as natural
and full of fun as she could be, while her sing
ing, dancing and by-play were all remarkably
good Fred was very amusing as the pumpkin
cousin. He has grown rather stouter but is
still as agile as ever.
The .Belles of the Kitchen" introduced
Miss Bessie Sansone, who takes the place
made vacant by the withdrawal CT Miss
Rosina Vokes. Miss Sansone is very pretty,
exceedingly arch. brimful of chic, and yet she
is not Rosina. Those who had once seen the
latter's eyes, watched her scamper through
the kitchen, and listened to her Infectious
laugh, could never forget her. This is no dis
paragement of Miss Sansone, and she made
capital Barbara Victoria and Fred sang the
cavatina and duet from Trovatore-the Prison
song so-called-with fine effect, receiving an
encore. The formers voice is worthy, both In
quality and culture, of the operate stage. Inc
burlesque scene from Romeo and Juliet was OF
course exceedingly comical, and the dancing
by Mr.. Fawdon Vokes, Jessie and Miss San
some exceedingly light and graceful; 10 sum
up all that the "family" do is the best OF the
kind Other burlesquers get up reputation,
but none others are so thoroughly accomplish
ed and SO completely saturated with the spirit
of true, honest, cleanly burlesque as the
Vokes
The plays were handsomely costumed last
night, and small but efficient orchestra was
we'll led by Signor Operti who was here with
the Royal Mildly"
SONG OF THE BELL.
1t needs but to mention Maine General Hos
pital to our citizens to ensure ready response
to any projected entertainment for its aid. The
Children's Ward is especially i'm ortant, and
we all must wish to sac it completed. Aside
from the usefulness of the object the enter
tainment to be given at the Portland Theatre
this evening will be very enjoyable. Schiller's
$ Song of the Bell" is considered the most ORR
ginal and beautiful of all his poems. 1t de
scribes the casting of the bell and the entire
process of its manufacture. While between
these technical references to its progress to-
wards completion, gthe poet breaks forth into
beautiful words, pictures of some of the vari-
Gus scenes of life, with which the sounds of the
bell are connected
NOTES.
The Cecilian Quartette will sing at Yarmouth
December 14th.
The Hutchinson Family. assisted by Miss
Florence Holmes, Mr.. Littlefield and Miss
Jenniebele Neal, the elocutionist, will appear
at City Hall for the benefit of the Y. M. Q. A.
on Dec. It'll.
The "Strategists" will appear at Portland
Theatre week after next.
A Boston party will put show into Port
land Theatre week from to-day.