The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-01-01
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
THE ELECTRIC SPARK.

| The ElECIhlC ofAhh'
Last season Atkinson's Jollities pleased our
theatre-goers with their play of the Electric
DOLL" and tonight they return to us with
their new play of the Electric Spark" The
| Telegram says:-'Atkinsons Jollities opened
in the Alcazar last night to good house in a
musical absurdty called "The Electric Spark.
Mr.. Frank Daniels made hit and was called
| before the curtain at the close of each act.
| Miss Amy Lee and Miss Jennie Yeamans were
also in the cast, and created decidedly favor
| able impression"
Gilbert and Sullivan's new opera will be
produced at Portland Theatre next Friday and
| Saturday evenings. The Boston Herald says:
1.-THE ingenuity and skill of Mr.. Gilbert as q
| librettist show no signs of exhaustion In this,
his latest effort for, although he has let his
imagination run into the realms of fairy land,
he still retains his hold upon the absurdities of
human nature, and puts no check upon his
power of satire, even when dealing with the
most Anticipated and venerated forms OF pre-
cedure under the government of old England.
His skill in mixing up the events of fairy land
and the dear old customs of the court Of lords,
as shown in the lines of the libretto, surpasses
any of his former efforts in the wild absurdity
of the several scenes; and the flights of fancy
INDUCED in by the author in some OF the dia-
logue we'll sustain the reputation OF the bad
Ballad" writer. While being extravagantly
and delicously funny in "Iosnthe,' Mr.. Gill
bert has, as usual, strictly avoided degenerat-
ing into burlesque, and his satire is as keen
and free from any Objectionable features as In
his former librettos. The opera is in two acts
and of about the same length as Patience"
the first act passing in an Arcadian country
scene, with river view at the rear, and the
second act near the houses of Parliament, the
scene giving realistic view of the houses and
palace yard at Westminster by night. The
argument" of the opera battles any calm de-
liberate description, but it has for its two lead
ing ideas the love of Iolanthe, fairy. for
mortal, and the difficulties attending the Lord
Chancellor's attempts as a citizen to secure his
Phyllis, ward in chancery."
The following will be the cast:
The Lord Chancellor james Gilbert
SIrephon. =. .............Mr. Harry Delorme
The Earl Of Tolloller. Mr.; Myr0n Thomas
The Earl of Mount Ararat. Mr.. Charles w Allison
Private Willis .............Mr Henry A. Montana
The Train Bearer. Mr.. george Conen
Iolanthe. :...,.......... Miss Rose ID, Dana
The Fairy Queen. .........M Miss Amelia Somervlle
Celia. ........................M Miss Edith Jenness
Lena .............. ........Mlss Lulu Oamppen
Grand Chorus of Peers KNIGHTS of the Garter,
Thistle, etc., and Fairies.
There will be great des.e to give Mr.. Fred
Mortimer bumper at his benefit at City Hall
next Thursday. The Lyceum company, Port
land Minstrels, Mr.. and Mrs. Jerry Cohen will
all take part.
Miss Leila Farrell has Joined the Henderson
Comic Opera Troupe, which opens the season
in New Bedford tonight, playing the Mascotte.
Miss Farrell will play Fiametta.