The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-03-28
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
A. Nights Frolic.

Last evening Miss Helen Barry and her
delightful company of players appeared
at Portland theatre to crowded and ap-
preciative audience to excellent advantage
in ''A Nights Frolic,'' the play in which
she captured a typical Portland audience
several seasons ago.
A Nights Frolie depicts a side of
society hitherto unexplored. 1t shows
an old commodore, modelled on Comnao-
dore Vanderbilt, who is anxious to make
daughter. He has any amount of money
and he has selected gallant young
Frenchman to wed the girl and inherit
the money. How Miss Barry, in the
guise of an officer of chasseurs, thwarts
the old mans ambition and gratifies the
old mans daughter is fully told in the
amusing comedy, which is as faithful a
portrayal of New York society as "Ala-
baman is a faithful portrayal of the
south.
To say that Miss Barry is clever is
simply repeating the words of the ma
ioritylof press critics. She has strong
individuality and her ideas are woven
into the lines of the piece which is adapt
ed from the German. The play sparkles
with wit and cutting sallies which never
came from the German text and are very
pat to an American audience. In the
uniform of the French chasseurs, Miss
Barry creates the most sensation, blu t she
is bright woman of the world as Lady
Betty. She is a magnificent woman,
stately yet supple, and she has fasci-
mating laugh, and a good, sound English
voice which she uses to great advantage.
The presentation is series of artistic
pictures, full of life and color, and in
volving true spirit of pure comedy.
The company is strongly made up.
The people are chosen for what they rep
resent and play accordingly. There are
no ''frosts." 1t is good acting all the
time. Henry +. Golden is particularly
pleasing as Captain Chandon; Charles A.
Tyrrell is grouty and equity old commo-
dore as the world sees them; Owen
Westford is an Oakley Sedley as he is in
life; while John L. Golden and Lucille
Nelson are capital pair of young lovers.
Nat Cantor must not be forgotten as the
faithful old body servant of the commo-
dore, a very fine reproduction of the true
as gold colored valet
There are several attractive songs in
troduced in the play and in the third act.
Mr.. Golden gives an imitation of Miss
Lottie Collins in her ''Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-
Ay'' dance. The curtain was called at
the end of the second act.
The Senator.
Mr.. Louis Aldrich, 'sThe Senator" is
chiefly known to the public for his re-
markable character work as the "Par
SON. in "The Danites," and for the
picture of rude nobility he presented in
'sMy Partner' But Mr.. Aldrich has
been long before hepublic and is known
as one of the best all round actors on the
American stage. 1.-THE Senator" in
which he will appear at Portland theatre
Friday and Saturday is comedy pure
and simple, and an American comedy at
that. Not only is the story American,
but the dialogue is typical of the national
character. Its farce is native and to the
manor born, and there is no draught up
on foreign sources for an idea or line.
The play is brimful of bright and spark
ling lines, and smile or laugh turks
behind each serious sentiment or situa-
ton, ready to step to the front instantly
Mr.. Aldrich never had a funnier part to
play than that of Senator Hannibal
Rivers, notwithstanding the intensely
serious nature of the work he under
takes to accomplish, and Mr.. Aldrich
never appeared to better advantage than
in this part.
Patience and NIikado
There was large advanced sale of
seats for Patience" and "Mikado' both
soon to be produced under Mr.. Gilberts
direction and Mr. Will Stockbridge's
management at City hall. These will be
two of the great musical events i'll Port
land. Mr.. Gilbert doesn't fool with his
people. Amateurs in his hands have to
work like professionals. With him bust
ness is business and he knows that only
by perfect rehearsals can the best results
be attained. 1t will be delightful at these
performances to have comfortable seat
iu a regular opera chair.
Notes.
A set of pictures has been placed in the
leading stores descriptive of the leading
scenes in 'sThe SENATOR
A number were turned away from the
theatre box Office last night unable toget
seats.
Do you want a rocker cheap? Go to
Atkinson's.
Won the Boston Globe Prize.
The Boston Globes voting contest is
finished and the following are the win