The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-09-02
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
NINICHE.

NINICHE.
Last night the Milliken Opera Comedy
Company appeared at Portland Theatre in
'Niniche," the play in which the celebrated
Nine. Judic made a sensation in Paris. The
adaptation is better than one usually finds in
the case of TRANSACTIONS of French pieces, but
necessarily much of the ''go'' of the piece is
lost when presented in English. A woman
like Judic conveys by shrug OF toss of
the head, world of meaning which would
not be accepted by an American audience
| such as is usually to be found in one of our
theatres. Consequently to overcome this
difficulty rather tame condition of things
is apt to result.
In the performance last evening Mile.
Lucette came nearer to a proper representa-
ton of the title role than any actress we
have seen essay b0ufe singing and acting for
a long time. She threw herself into the part
with much abandon, and, it is no use to dis
gulse the fact II you are going to attempt
kicks of the bOGfe school it is worse than
| foolish to make halfway work of it. In the
second act especially the play went with
| spirit, and Mile. Lucette was encOred in her
duet with Mr.. Lang. Mr.. Packard was en-
cored again and again in his variety verse
eve drew the line at that Mr.. Dickson
was pleasing as Gregoire and the waltz-song
assigned to him was one of the prettiest
numbers on the programme. The orchestra
| added much to the enjoyment of the evening.
"Niniche" should have been given before
mime. Boniface.''
| NOTES.
| Mr.. Alex. Fitzgerald, the actor, died at 3
| o'clock Monday morning at st. GATHERINGS
| Hospital, New York, after short illness.
He had been for some time manager at the
| Fourteenth Street Theatre. In 1884 he
was leading man at the Boston Theatre and
was an admirable imperSonator of .Shaks-
| pearian roles.
1t is reported that Col. Mapleson has en-
| gagged the tenor rob uSto, Giannina, of Milan
| opera fame, and Signor Del Puente for his
next American tour, and that he has, reports
to the contrary, secured Patti for twenty
nights and four festivals during his coming
| American season.
Ellh Russell is the latest American prima
donna. She has made her debut at Berlin.
Madame Carlotta Patti, after taking up
her residence in Paris, intends only to give
| lessons
Mile. Bonfanti, the eminent dancer, has
been engaged at the Metropolitan Opera
! House, New York.
The Italians are at last coming into the
| performed at the opening of La Scala, Milan.
Henry Irving, who is travelling in Germany
| to .familiarize himself with the scenes of
| Goethe's story of Faust, telegraphed to his
chief scene painter, Howes Craven, to meet
him at Nuremberg to sketch some of the
characteristic localities of that quaint old
city. Irving is good sketcher himself and
has just completed two clever drawings from
which he intends to have scenes painted for
the Forthcoming revival of Faust at the
| Lyceum.
Mr.. Sheridan is doing his utmost for his
scenery and costumes in Louis XII" and
| will carry his scenety with him on his tour.
His company has some strong members
among others Louise Davenport, John T.
| Malone, W. L. Lloyd.
A musicale was given Thursday evening
| Quartette of Waterville in honor of Miss
Bartlett of this CITY, The event was a de-
| lightful musical and social success Great
credit is due to Miss Emma Abbott for the
successful manner in which the programme
was carried out,