The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-04-17
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
Friends

play Lucius Henderson, that artist-ac-
tor musician, plays the central rolo OF
virtuoso. He is superb performer and
the story of his discovery by the author
Of Friends" is romantic and relates
how the author, despairing Of ever
producing Friends" heard Henderson
playing the piano in Southern hotel.
He found that he had been educated
as a musician; had been on the stage,
and had studied the piano with the best
of teachers here and abroad. He en-
gagged him. Mr.. Henderson plays in one
of the scenes programme from Chopin,
Liszt, Mendelssohn and Mozart.
One ofsthe highest and most valued
marks of appreciation that MIR. Royle has
had accorded him for his dlever play as
that from Coquelin, the distinguished
French actor. It came about as follows:
During an engagementsof Friends" in
San Francisco. Coquelin arrived, his
engagement opening the next week. One
evening in company with his son, also
assfamous actor. he went to see Friends"
and after the performance called upon
Mr.. Royle, whom he had never met be-
fore, to express his keen appreciation OF
both play and company. 1t was COM
plete surprise to the young author
actor. and an honor of which he may
Justly feel proud. Our theatre goers will
have the pleasure of seeing both play
and author at the Portland Theatre
Friday and Saturday of this week.
The Crust of Society.
! Our theatre goers well remember the
superb performances of this remarkable
play given at the Portland Theatre last
June by Mr.. John Stetson's company.
It was the last attraction at the theatre
last season, proving one of the best, and
the return will be warmly welcomed.
Monday and Tuesday of next week are
the evenings of its engagement at the
theatre. Miss Zeffie Tilbury and Mr..
Arthur Lewis will again be seen in the
leading roles
Muggss Landing.
Thursday evening, Fast Day. Mugg's
Landing" will be given at the Portland
Theatre. Few comedies verging upon
the border of farce-comedy have had
the favor accorded them that this piece
has. It has become almost standard
play, and its not too frequent visits are
very pleasant events. Portland has
seen it number of times, but never
has it been played here by company
superior to- the one to appear in 1T Fast
Day. A more enjoyable attraction for
holiday could not have been procured.
Venus.
Tonight, Mr.. E. E. Rice's great COM
edy-burlesque company will give the
first of their three performances of
"Venus" at City Hall, under the man
agement of Mr.. E C. Mitchell. The COM
pany includes about 70 people, princits
pals, chorus and orchestra. The Bangor
Commercial says:
There was no detail neglected to make
a series of beautiful and interesting
stage, pictures. melodlous songs and
amusing, business by the comedians.
In it's entirety makes one of the best per-
formances of comic opera given in Ban
gor in long time and rare treat
was given last evenings audience. There
were numerous encoress to which re-
sponses were made.
VIII StOckDf1QSeS beneuCs
At the Stock bridge benefit at City Hall
Fast night, Thursday, there will be
present one of the largest and most
brilliant audiences of the year. There
was.a large advance sale of seats at Stock
bridges yesterday. Not only will the
OCCASION be noteworthy as benefit to
very competent teacher and popular
gentleman, but Misses Kicker and
Knight and Mr.. Harry Merrill will make
their last appearance in concert before
their trip to Europe Mrs. Helen Win
slow Potter, Miss Florence Stinchfeld,
Miss Margaret Goodwin, Miss Alice
Philbrook, Miss.Annie Stockbridge, DR..
Nickerson. Mr.. Frank Pierce, Mr.Wil-
lard OF Lewiston, and the benefic-
larry will also appear. In the second
part, the second act Of 1.-THE Mikado"
will be given with this cast:
The Mikado of Japan.
Mr.. willard Of Lewiston
Nanki-Poo, DR.. Harry M. Nickerson
Koko Mr.. James Gilbert OF Boston
Pooh-Bah, Mr.. Frank H.: Pierce
Pish-Tush, t6 Mr.. Harry f Merrill
Yum-Yum, Miss Florence Knight
Pitti-Sing, Miss Stinchfield
Peep-Booh, Miss Anna Stock bridge
Katisha, Miss Katherine Kicker
He won the Wager.
Will H.Bray. the clever comedian who
plays with such artistic fidelity to ma
ture the role of Fish back, the colored
office seeker, in "a Texas Steer, was in
the old days a negro minstrel, and an
excellent one, too. There was quiet
dispute little while ago as to whether
an actor could so merge himself in
character as to completely deceive his
friends, and celebrated critic made a
wager that no actor of his acquaintance
could deceive him within year. After
the closing performance of The Texas
Steer for the season there was little
"sit down" for three or four of the actors
and their friends, among whom was
the doubtingh Thomas of the argument.
It was very merry party, or would
have been but for the awkwardness of
one of the two walters. He was never
oroupd VI n are he shouId have heen when