The Portland daily press., 1891-10-08
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
NIoRE.


1t Is no wonder that the Paulrons' comedy
Of "Niobe' made such a hit at the Boston
Museum. for 1t deserved success. The au.
thors call 1t fantastic comedy, and NOT
without reason. 1t certainly is odd enough
Not but what the idea Of statue brought to
life is an old enough idea, but that idea has
never been treated before by anyone as II
has In "Ni0be" the story has been pub
lished In the PRESS; how the statue of Mo.
be has come by chance into the keeping of q
New York life insurance president. An
electric wire fastened about the statue gives
to 1t life. The life insurance man. fearing
his wife's jealousy. passes the revisifed sta.
tue off as an expected governess. and the re,
suits are of such character as to keep an
intelligent audience laughing almost with
out cessation for over two hours The part
OF Niobe is given to Eleanor Carey, who
possesses commanding figure of graceful
howing lines. voice that Is musical and
well adapted to the forms OF language at
tributed to the ancient times, and an identi.
fcation with the character that makes the
contrast with her modern surroundings all
the sharper and more effective. Miss Lizzie
Seaman as Helen Dunn, the dragon of Mr..
Dunn's household. Is capital characterize
tton, both In person and In acting. Miss
Mervie Osborne is bright, taking Hattie
Griffin. Mr.. w. T. Melville, as Peter Amos
Dunn. the life insurance agent, is excellent.
The weight of the piece falls to great ex-
tent on his shoulders, and he is fully equal
to the occasion. Mr.. Henderson is very
good as Cornelius. and the other characters
round out the performance. If the dramatic
public wish to thoroughly enjoy an evening.
and drive dull care away. they should go to
Portland Theatre and see Abbott & Tears
company.
Isn't 1t nearly time to take the chill off the
house with little fireb
BENEFIT CONCERT AT THE NORTH CHURCH.
The old North church, at the Cape, was
flled last night, the occasion being a benefit
concert by the Second Parish choir, under
the lead of Professor Bowdoin. Mr.. ]. A.
Balm. the accompanist, also rendered a piano
solo. and Miss Knight gave recitations. The
vocal solos by Miss Robinson and Mr.. Goss
were greatly enjoyed, as were all the num-
bers rendered. Through the kindness of
Messrs. Cressey & Jones. the use of a fine
square piano was given. After the concert
collation. was served to the choir in the
vestry. There will be good sum realized
Tor the benefit of the church.
TOM SAWYER.
A dramatization of Mark Twain's:story,
tom Sawyer" will be produced at Port.
land Theatre Friday evening. The piece is
said to follow Mr.. Clements story very
closely, and. with the aid of specialtles,
makes pleasing entertainment. See Tom,
the bad boy, his pa, ma and girl.
"a MILE A MINUTE"
"a Mile Minute" is lively name for a
play, and Miss IElmore's volatile little body
fits 1t very prettily. The play is of that sort
which an audience tas es kindly to. 1t has a
robust plot. a very masculine villain, de-
tective, and a heroine who can sing and
dance. 1t has one scene, representing the
Argyle rooms in London, into which are in
troduced a number of excellent specialties :.
But the sensation of the drama is reserved
for the fourth act, in which the hero and de-
tectives are In pursuit of the villain, who
has just taken train, which compels the
pursuers to hire special engine. The en-
gine, occupying: with its tender the whole
breadth of the stage, and represented at full
speed. makes striking picture. with its
spouting fire and blowing steam. The audi
ence received it with unmistakable delight,
and 1t may be accepted as one of the latest
stage sensations. The play will be given at
Portland Theatre. Monday, Tuesday and
Wednesday next.
EAST LYNNE.
Next Saturday, Miss Josephine Cameron
will play return engagement at Portland
Theatre. producing the old familiar drama
Of EAST Lynne at the matinee and even
Ing performances. Tickets are ready at the
box Office.
NIGHTS FRoLIC.
Miss Barry renewed at City Hall last eve
ming. in the presence of delighted audi
ence, her success of the evening previous as
Lady Betty" in "a Nights Frolic." The
applause and laughter was continuous an d
well deserved. The company was fully In
sympathy with her and the audience
NOTES.
The Ladies' Cecilian Quartette gave a con-
cert at Bath last evening, assisted by Miss
Eva Goodwin, .violinist, and Miss Gushing,
reader, for the benefit Of the Kings Daugh-