The Portland daily press., 1881-01-21
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.


THE TOURISTS.
Last evening w. A. Mestayer's company APP
peared at New Portland Theatre before a very
good sized audience in his extravaganza of
''The Tourists in a Pullman Palace Car"
The piece is in three acts, which could we'll be
reduced to two and each of these two consid-
erably curtailed from its present limits. AS
there is really no plot to speak of in any of
these extravaganzas-of which Portland has
seen host-but they are merely frame for
different variety and musical acts, the only
excuse they have for an existence is where the
dialogue is remarkably witty In this case, as
general thing, the dialogue is fiat as dish
water. The first act is inexpressibly stupid
and it is not until the second act which rep
resents very realistically the interior of Pull
man palace car, that the interest of people of
at least average intelligence is awakened
What is intended as wit is merely the catch
slang that pleases the man-about-'
After the variety acts begin, however. there
Is considerable to amuSe. There are eight or
nine people in the play, and some of TIL IN are
especially good. Mesteyer as little Eva is one
OF the most ludlcrouS conceptions Imaginable
His Faro Jack, with tragic Rotations. re-
ceived with the floral tributes of his other
c0nlpoggloRS de U0ydge, was also very good
Mr.. Longs Sir Harry Cashmere, and the
French valet, are excellent pprtraitures. Mr..
Eckeit gave the prison scene from II Tr0Udtore
III good style, his voice appearing to
better advantage in that selection than in his
other. Mr.. Gilbert's comic Rotations are
ceedingly funny. Miss Carrie Swain is a good
SINGER ana a very graceful dancer, with very
pretty figure. Her SomefseJS in the telegraph
boys dance called forth persistent encore.
Miss Reiiferth, as the Tyrolean girl with the
"Yodel, is pleasing. Miss Paullin is very
pretty girl and In a1vautaua The
other characters are we'll taken. The concerted
music was particularly good, and most all OF
the musical numbers were encored. The third
act is supposed to transpire at night after the
berths are made up, and the introduction of
the bear among the sleepers brings down the
house. Last evening, owing to frost in the gas,
the Car could not be- lighted as brilliantly
was intended. Tonight that defect will be
remedied.
The orchestra is excellent, and between the
acts the leader pl ,ys "Vilikins and his Dinah"
solo for the violin with limitations of vari-
GUS animals for the variations. There will be
perfo mances tonight, tomorrow afternoon
and evening.
Voyages in Southern Seas" with its mag
niicent scenic effects, grand ballet, Ariel, the
Tying dancer, and all the accessories, will be
produced at New Portland Theatre Jan. %
and 20.
Ii is expected Salvini will give perform
ance at New Portland Theatre; probably
Othello
Miss Nettie MilHken's concert at City Hail.
next Wednesday evening. will crowd the
house. The tickets are selling we'll at Stock
bridges. The Beethoven Club will be warm
ly welcomed, and Mrs. Morrison, Messrs.
Stockbridge and Shaw will furnish a striking
addition to the programme.
Next week Theodore Thomas grand orches-
ira will give a series of concerts in Boston.
We wish they could be induced to visit Port
land and give one miscellaneous concert, and
accompany the Haydns on the second night
in one of the oratorios. Why could not a sub
stantal subscription induce them to come?
Who will start the ball?