The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-04-18

of Novel and Charming Entertain
ment.
Emerson says 'sthe eye is the window
of the soul" and in it's delicate easement
the secret of happiness lies empearled;
so if its light is abscured and the veil OF
darkness is drawn before it the acme of
JOY is unknown and impossible.
A little more than two months ago
the idea was first conceived which would
SAVIOR of novelty not only in the coup de
theatre but in the spirit of the manage
ment. Although designed for the benefit
of a state charity--the Eye and Ear In
firlnary--it was decided that it should
partake in no way of the nature of a fair
OF weary the public by subscriptions OF
soliciting. The result Of this common
dable departure was witnessed last eve
hing in the initial performance of Zone
Day. given in City hall. The entertain
ment more than justified the most san
grine expectations and verified the most
glowing advance notice. Lastweek "One
Day" was mystery, today is a beauteous
reality. Appropriately staged, the
scenery representing natures gayest and,
richest creations in the floral world with
pillows of soft clouds in the back ground,
it was a rare artistic treat of exquisite
finish, pleasing grace and striking pictor-
ial effects, slSillfully put together, evinc-
ing that the creator of zone Day." Prof.
NJ. B. Gilbert, had not only mastered the
technicalities of dancing, but could de-
monstrate them in the most pleasing and
effective forms. 1t would be almost i'm
possible to picture by pen ascene SO fair;
but the very difficulty of the task would
seem to challenge the attempt.
The scene opens just as dusky night is
furling her misty banner from sleeping
world and a few of the sprites and COB
Inns attendent upon mysterious night are
descerned through the semi-dark-
ness disporting themselves in gleeful
antics ere they disappear before the APP
proach of light. In the distance are seen
reclining female figures wrapped in the
gray mist which precedes the dawn
Suddenly the COLLINS vanish, the mists
roll away, the figures become animated
and appearing in dazzling robes of white
and gold, they appropriately
symbolic the, awakening dawn
heralding by pantomime and
dance the glory and sunlight of the
day. The streamers of gold connecting
the golden hoops which they hold in
their hands, flash and wave in the in
creasing light while the graceful postur-
ing which first distinguishes the dance
gradually deyelopes into wild and weird |
movements, concluding with striking |
picture as they PROSTATE themselves, |
the brilliancy being intense as the
glorious sun god, Apollo, is ushered in,
appearing in chariot drawn by four
golden horses. The day has opened, |
and springing from a thousand fountains
light and joy over flow the world. This |
dance of the dawn by 21young ladies,
by Mrs. F. r. harrington and
Mrs. 3. B. Foster, is very attractive and
effective
The next feature of
The Now Advancing Day
is the military dance of the Russian
Huzzars, skillfully executed by seven
High School Cadets in rich uniforms of
red. embroidered in gold, wearing gray
Russian caps and CALAMITY captained by
Master Frank Welcome. Little Miss
Florence Stanbon in Scottish |
costume of plaid silk and velvet, dances
the Highland Fling with grea5l correct
ness. The morning closes with
the sailors in port which is introduced
by song entitled Zone Day" by Miss
Kicker, who, clad as fisher maiden. sang
In her usual artistic and finished style.
In the first verse she upbraids the 1 sad
sea-" the 'sdeep sea- for holding in it's
cruel depths her sailor lover, whom she
supposed dead, but in which she is de-
celved, for in the next verse she lauds
the beauty of the 'sbright sea- as it gives
her back her lost. In the last lines she
turns land in the distant clouds appears
her sailor lad standing on the cross
trees peering expectantlv towards land
Immediately the stage is filled with sail
ors in blue and white, giving full vent to
their happy and rollicking natures by
series of pantomime and dance and soon
in search of their sweet
hearts, who appear from the other
side dressed also in white and
blue. Crossing the stage they
Join the sailors and dance. The morn
ing scene concludes with a spirited horn
pipe by Mr.. Frank Dennis. Mrs. M. A.
Davis and Mrs. j. Fl. O'Neil are the
chaperones of this dance.
Perhaps the most unique feature of
the entertainment was the sunflowers,
fifty in number which seemed to embody
in their brown centres the spirits as well
as the faces of as many infants terribles,
Who Took Elfsh Delight
in astonishing and annoying their clever