The Portland daily press., 1892-09-30
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
Miss Blythe of Duluth.

The splendid audience that greeted MISS All
ME PixIey at Portland Theatre last evening,
when she appeared, after several years absence
from the stage, in her new play, MISS bIytle
of Duluth" gives another proof that tiie people
most desirable to ensure success TO place OF
public entertainment, will always patronlze an
excellent attraction.
The play of "Miss Blythe of Duluth" opens in
the summer home of John Barley, In Ozonia
by the Sea. situated on New York bay. His
family consists of his wife, Ida, sister Letitia,
who acts as housekeeper, and Ruggles, the but
ler Mr. Barley has as guests Sir Taicot Asst
lev and his wife, Lady Barbara. The baronet
claims to represent a syndicate DESTROYS to buy
all the tanneries, John Barkley's among the
number. The arrangement is progressing
when Bessie Blythe, or 'Miss Blythe of Du-
luth" appears. She is an orphan sister of Mrs.
Barkley and is shrewd girl, soon observing
the domineering influence that Letitia, an old
maid, has. Barkley is interested in mine in
Michigan, and the alarming intelligence comes
hat the vein has taken an unexpected depart
ire into land belonging to the estate OF
nan named Mckenzie, who has Willed it to the
Icholar making the highest average in the col
tege which bears his name. Thanks to Bessie,
who turns out to be the successful competitor,
aided by Bryce, a travelling companion OF Bes-
sizes, Sir Talbot Ashley and wife are found to be
a pair of confidence operators. Miss Letitia is
disposed of, and Barley is saved from ruin.
MT. CLIPS comedy-drama is very good piece
of work, and it fits Miss Pixley a mirably. The
lady seems to grow younger and handsomer as
the years roll by, and as charming as she was
In the past. But heretofore she has been iden-
titled with the border drama, and she is inf
nitely more pleasing in the comedy-drama of So
cial life. Her breeziness, her magnetism, are
infectious, and her audience is kept in ripple
of laughter all the time she is on the stage.
There is nothing stilted about her. She is as
natural as it is possible to be. Her songs were
given with much skill, and were lall heartily en-
cored. Her take-off of the Salvation Army girl
was excellent. Her sepentine dance was most
gracefully executed, and her imitati onof Miss
Collins. the music hall specialist in the ''Boom-
de-aye" song, was very good. Miss Pixley was
called before the curtain at the end of the first
act, and the curtain was called at the end of the
second act
All the STAT of the play is not given to Miss
Pixley. There are many good lines entrusted
to the other characters all of whom in the pro-
sentation were entitled to much praise, and a
capital dramatic bit of business was done by
Miss Kline, Miss Pixley and Mr.. Sackett in the
scene where Mrs. Barley discovers her hus-
bands perfdy.
There are many bright sayings in the piece,
one of the best of which is the definition of a
widow and a grass widew. The one has lost
her husband, the other has mislaid him.
Lucier's Ministries.
This well known company will be seen at
Portland Theatre, tomorrow evening, and at
the matinee. A New Hampshire paper of
Thursday. November IL, 1891, says:
Luciers minstrel entertainment at the town
hail Friday evening OF last week, was greeted
with crowded house. The vocal and iuStru-
mental music was superb, while the witty say
ings, humorous songs and clog dances kept the
audience in a complete uproar of merriment,
and the encoreS were numerous Some wonder
full feats of contortion were also witnessed. The
performance closed with a comedy, Nobody
at HOme,' in which some marvellous featS in
tumbling were performed.
Notes.
On Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings
and Saturday matinee of next week. Miss Lou
Use Hamilton will present '.Old Jacks Ward"
Little Detective" IN IN, the Good for Moth
ing" and "The Majors Daughter" On Mon
day, October 10, Annie. Eva Fay in specialties.