The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-09-12
MUSIC AND DRAMA.


There was an appreciative audience present at
Portland Theatre, last evening, to witness Sims
spectacular melo-drama of the Lights o. London"
produced by Shook g. Golfers No. 1 travelling COM
pany. The drama is one of the most attractive of
its kind and is especially good in its comedy
features, the scenes introducing the veteran show
man Jarvis. and his wife and phenomenon, being,
as good reminder of Dickens Vincent Crummeles
and family as anything in the range of theatrical
plays. These parts especially that of Mrs. Jarvis,
were very well assumed by Miss Fannie Rouse Mr..
Samuel Hemple and Miss Gertrude Elliott. The
characters of Clifford and Harold Armytage, the
two brothers, were presented with considerable
force and dramatic effect by Messrs. G.. L, Davis
and Louis Atkins. very effective scene was that
between Clifford Armytage and Seth Breen-J. l..
Carhart-in the Armytage Arms. In fact the play
was very well cast and some of the scenes were
very prettily placed on the stage and illuminated
by the calcium light. There viii be performances
tonight and Saturday, and matinee Satur day
afternoon which should be well attended, The
music by Grimmer's orchestra was delightful
feature of the evening and the new numbers gave
great pleasure.
The following information concerning the specta-
ce "Zanita;' to be produced at the Boston Theatre
next Monday night, will be read with interest The
text is by Dexter Smith and Eugene Tompkins, The
story is romantic, with fairies and other mythical
beings among the characters Music and dancing
will add their charms to the piece which is in five
acts. In its preparation, months of labor by many
people have been consumed and at least $50, 900
expended for this labor and materials of scenery
and costumes. The designs for the former are by
Charles S. Getz who has been assisted in their exc
cution by j. S. Getz and Charles Somers The
dresses have been made from designs by Lavigne of
Paris, Wilhelm of London, and Miss Endress of
this house, by Lsndof of Paris, Alias of London,
and Miss Endress. The armors and jewels came
from Kennedy, of Birmingham, Eng, the mechani-
cal effects the results of the ingenuity of W. P.
Prescott, the properties from j. B. Sullivan's
well trained hands. the lighting apparatus is con-
trived by Genrge Seney, and the music-a special
feature-has been selected, arranged and composed
by Napier Lothian, the four gentlemen last named
being OF the regular staff of the theatre. Mamert
Blbeyran is the director of the ballet. in which
included several artists of fame in Europe, where
engagements were made with them this summer by
TO secure dancers of the finest attainments. The
list is as follows; Mr. Saracco, said to be the best
male dancer in Europe, and Misses Antonetta Bel
Ia Filicital Carozzi, Romila Milo, Teresna Riccio,
Patti Eva Clifton and Marie and Rose Beckett. The
dramatic and musical artists engaged for the piece
are named as follows: Misses Louise Paulin. NAV
StemhIer Elma Delaro Norma WiIs Tosia Half
Blanche and Rosie Sherwood. and Ella Emerson,
and Messrs d. j: Maguinniss, John D. Gilbert,
drew Metzgar, Theodore B. Dillaway, and Joseph
Byrne.
NOTES.
Female ushers are new wrinkle in New York
theatre The Paris and London theatres all en-
ploy them. In Paris the kind of seat a spectator
gets, depends upon the impression he makes upon
the lady usher. The seat checks are not nun bered,
but direct the purchasers to a certain section of
chairs. II the usher s satisfactorily tipped, she
picks out the best seat in the section.
The story goes that William Florence, the actor,
and Mgr. Capel who have been friends for a num-
Der of years. met In the streets of Chicago, when
Florence asked Capel whether he ever spent an
evening at the theatre, intending, in case of an
affirmative reply, to invite him to one of his per-
tormances. Capel shook his head. "No," said he,
it has been twenty-four years since L attended a
theatre, and cannot conscientiously bring myself
to patronize place where the devil is preached"
Mr. Florence protested that the monsignor placed
false estimate on the theatrical profession "Ah,
no." replied Capel, with sad smile; "you people
are sincere enough; you don't know it; but you
preach the devil all the same.' tWell your grace"
inquired Florence, with great urbanity, (which is
worse preaching the devil from the stage without
knowing it, or preaching Christ from the pulpit
without believing it!' Both reprehensible;''
replied Mgr Capel, and bowling stif1y he went his
way.
j. II. Symonds, the eccentric negro comedian. is
playing in Chicago, and will work the West this
season. He was recently in Montreal, and PLAYED
to good business. He is a very able performer and
doesa catching act.-Chicago journal.