The Portland daily press., 1882-12-30
MUSIC AND DRAMA.


IdE EhOrES&Oh.
The Madison Square Theatre, in New York,
is to be congratulated on its course in present
ing clean and attractive plays to the public
Many writers have lamented the absence of
unobjectionable plays that were really meritor-
ious. 1t was long thought impossible to have
successful play unless it were favored with
doubtful allusions-something not exactly i'm
moral, but, to say the least immodest. Moth
ing of this kind can be found in the Madison
Square Theatre plays-neither in "Hazol
Khke 1.-THE Professor. nor In "Esmeralda"
land all of them have been remarkably well
pstronized. 1.-THE Professor" of which so
much has been written by editors and even by
ministers of the Gospel, is another one of what
may be called home plays" that depict COM
mon everyday occurrences in q natural, artis-
tic manner, that excites the admiration of all
classes Of people. For instance, the Professor
who is the leading character in the play, is
represented as one of the modern scientific
men of New England who believe in nothing
but pure science;who scott at revealed religion,
and affect to know great deal about Huxley
and Tyndall and the writings of the English
materialist. This character is exceedingly
well versed in all that appertains to the mate
rial part of the universe, but he has no sympa-
thS with spirituality, and he takes no interest
and has no belief in anything that cannot be
weighed, analysed or measured by the success.
He goes to the mountains, Is surrounded by
pretty girls at mountain resort, gets into
many ludicrous situations, but finally gets out
of all his scrapes happily. He marries the
lovely Daisy Browne. The other girls marry
satisfactorily. The students sing songs and
Hirt with fba Oirlc the NAV ic wall 1rocca6
apd there is good deal of bright dialogue.
The cast last evening was entirely different
from that when the piece was brought out here
last April. Mr.. Barrows took the part of the
Professor on this occasion and Miss Mary Wal
colt was Daisy Browne. The present company
was hardly as effective as its predecessor but it
made lots Of fun, and the audience was evil
IDENTIFY delighted Theecurtain was rung up at
the end of the acts. The following excellent
programme was performed by Grimmer's or
chestra.
0yerture-La .ouveralne. .................. Herman
Waltzes-pubi1n ..........,...... .... Labitzky
Selection Billee Taylor. ......... -. Solomon
Quairlile Pet animals, .,..,.... :. Grimmer
There was large audience present The
play will be repeated tonight.
THE ELECTRIC SPARK.
Next Monday evening Atkinson's Jollties
Company will appear at Portland Theatre in
1.-THE Electric Spark" Stanley Felch, Frank
Daniels, Anna Guenther, Kate Chester and
Ezra Stevens are in the cast. The Herald says:
"Atkinson's Jolities entertained the patrons
of the Alcazar last evening with their comic
opera, "The Electric Spark" The piece was
evidently relished by the spectators, who at
times seemed TO be electrified With the novel
ties presented for their entertainment. The
electrical machine, the menagerie chorus the
Christmas carols, masquerade, racquet dance
and the buresque drill scene on horseback,
were all well received
NOTES.
There will be a large audience at the next
Stockbridge entertainment on Wednesday, at
City Hail. to listen to the Temple Quartette
and see Ragans pictures of FLORENCE and
Pisa"
Every one should seize the last opportunity,
which will be afforded this evening to see the
"Molly Maguires'' at the Lyceum. Mr. and
Mrs. Jerry COIN, aud Messrs. Phillips and
Bach here proved strong cards.
Miss Leila Farrell started for Boston last
night to join newly formed opera company.