The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-01-30
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
THE FRENCH SPY,


One Of the dramas that has successfully
stood the test Of time and Is as interesting to
the general spectator today as it was thirty
years ago. is "The French Spy" which was
brought cut by Mile. Adele lie Gros at Port
land Theatre last evening. 1t is aplay capa-
BILE OF most elaborate stage mounting and ef-
fects, and has what so few OF these plays
possess, good plot and we'll constructed
story. Some of the best known American
actresses have not failed to see their oppor-
tunity and to assume the part of Mathilde
DE Merle. From the time of Nine. Celeste,
we can recall Ssllie st. Clair, Lucille and
Helen Western, Fanny Herring, Mile. Zoe,
among the number who have delighted
| crowded audiences.
Last evening the piece was staged better
than usual at Portland Theatre. The scenes
were views In Algiers, not scenes in some
New England village. There was an at
tempt at pretty costuming. and 1t succeeded.
The French army was small, but eminently
| respectable. and the Arab hordes were dusky
and almost dirty, as they should be to be
realistic The encounters between the civil
liked and the uncIvilized, with the burning Of
red fires, the bursting Of bombs, the roll of
musketry and clash of steel, reused the en-
| thusiasm Of the house to high pitch. The
| speciality business introduced in the palace Of
the Dey of Algiers was excellent. and re-
ceived plenty of encores. The dancing of
the Spanish ballet company embraced high
kicking, ski,t dancing. Highland filings and
Irish jigs, with the Madrilena and Cachuca
thrown In to give a natural flavor to the
WhnIn Tho
The grand hand-to-hand sword contest be-
tween Mile. LeGros and Mr.. L. ii. Lay (Mo-
hammed) was absorbing from the skill ex-
hibited. and brought down the house.
Mile. LIE eros Is a woman Of large phy-
sioue, easy and graceful In movement, a
good pantomimist and we'll equipped for the
role OF Mathilde. She is we'll supported by
Mr.. Lay, and the troupe Is acceptable. The
curtain was called last night. Be sure and
| go either tonight or tomorrow.
THE SEVEN AGES.
'The Seven Ages" was repeated by the
Dixey company at City Hall last evening.
The performance was the fourth in the Pop
ular course. and, as on Wednesday night,
drew crammed house. All the various fea-
lures, dances, songs and marches, were CIV
en- with great precision, and the audience en-
cored many of them. Mr.. Dlxey was warm
iy received and applauded throughout the
evening. and Misses Wallace, Perkins,
Branscombe, Mule, Mr.. Dow and others re-
ceived their share of the public appreciation.
Now when Dixey comes again lei US have
popular opera house to receive him in, where
his plays can be produced at their best.
HOME TALENT COURSE.
The artists In the Home Taleut Course are
all Well known, and the selections sucn as
are sure to please. The Schubert Male
Qaartette always sing finely, and the vocal
soloists, Miss Gardiner. Mr.. Barnard and
Mr.. Welch, are among the very best; Mr..
jacobson, futist, Miss Wiliey,spianist, and
MT. Rankin, accompanist, will DO sure 10
make things compile in every detail. To.
night they will appear at City Hall.
THE GooLD REcITALs.
The Goold organ recitals at the church Of
the Messiah. Saturday afternoons. are not
only fashionable but popular as well. Mr..
Goold not only presents music that benefits
his hearers, but good music that eutertains
them. The programme for tomorrow
as published, is most satisfactory one. Re
member the hour, 400 p. m.
YOURS FOREVER"
PROBABLY no TACT In the fun-pr0vOking in
cidents of New York city ever caused half
so much merriment as the now famous
Yours forever. Mary Ellen Ryan" letter,
upon which hinges the story of ''McKenna's
Filtration, the comedy in which those inim-
table comedians. Barry and Fay are to be
seen at the Portland Theatre on Tuesday
and Wednesday evenings. February Sd and
4th. No foreign production embodies pnr-
or sentiment of comedy, whilo the piece is
strictly an American article. 1t speaks vol
umes for our native talent. Seats now on
sale at the box office.
o'DAY, THE ALDERMAN.
Lothrop's stock company will return to
the Portland Theatre for Monday night only
producing the comedy drama of ''O'Day, the
Alderman" cast to the full strength of the
company, led BY Mr.. S. 4. Ryan and Miss
Katherine Rober.