The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-12-27
MUSIC AND DRAMA.


The first performance OF the brownies
in Fairylandn was given under the aus
pices OF the Congress Square Annex last
evening, at City Hall, to an audience
that about half filled the house. It was
quite an undertaking to prepare for
their parts so many young people, and
the success attained was really surprls-
ing. Some of the parts, notably those
of Queen Flora, Aesthetica, Prince AL
debaran, and Cholly Boutonniere, Pa
trolman Moveon, Billy Tuckabout,
Afraid-of- the Day, and Uncle Sam,
would have taxed professionals. and
manyIother roles were nealry as exacting,
yet all were entitled to praise. The
Brownies need no introduction. Their
fame is worldwide, and it was in re-
Spouse to a general demand that Palmer
Cox. their creator. prepared them for
the stage through the medium of mus
ioal entertainment in two. acts, with
music specially composed or arranged by
Malcolm Douglass.
Scene first represents the garden OF
Queen Flora in Fairyland, and the
pear and are heard in the opening Choir
us. The fairies are prettily costumed,
and their graceful movements and sweet
sing ing at once wins the favor of the
audience. After a time the Brownies
make their appearance, headed by Prince
A1debaran and they give characteristic
chorus and dance. The fairies mean
while have retired to arrange their toll
cts. When they return the Queen IS IN
great distress, as some wicked monster
has beer waging war upon the flowers
they love. Now comes a song by
Aesthetica and Cholly, which brings
down the house. The next diversion is
furnished by an italian organ grinder
and performing bear, who prove to be
the lost Browniestwins,T utti and Frutt1,'
and who play their parts cleverly. some
of the Mother Goose celebrities are now
introduced. The act ends with the de-
parture of the Brownies for the war.
They propose to exterminate the enemy
which is despoiling the flowers, and II
successful Prince Aldebarai is TO receive
as his reward the hand of Queen Flora.
In the second act the Brownies meet
with reverses, but finally triumph, and
then Prince Aldebaran receives his
promised reward. This part includes
some funny incidents, pretty songs and
dances, especially the Irish lit, by two
young misses, and the Perfumed Fan,
by six young ladies', in which Miss Cush-
ie Shows graceful movements are par
ticuiarly pleasing. We. must not forget
to speak in high terms of the sweet sing
ing by Miss Hattie Pike as Queen Flora,
or of the four little Brownies who occu-
pied the front of the stage, and whose
unconsciousenss of their comicalities
gave an added zest to the amusement of
the spectators. There were several en-
cores during the performance, but the
recipients only bowed. he orchestra
performed their part with skill. The
audience dispersed at the close of the
performance, evidently much pleased.
There will be a matinee today, and
the hall will probably be packed.
Humpty Dumpty.
At City Hall next Tuesday afternoon
and evening-New Years day-Humpty
Dumpty will be seen. Grimaldi will be
the clown, and Pantaloon. Colum bine
and Harlequin will be well represented.
There Will be great. array OF speciality
stars, with special scenery and mechani-
cal effects. Low prices will prevail at
both performances.
The management have reserved all
seats in the house, SO that children at
tending the matinee, will be entitled to
reserved seat, thereby avoi ding crowd
ing and confusion.
The Bostonians' Tour
The Bostonians will close long en-
eagement at the Broadway Theatre,
New York, with two weeks of robin
Hood" beginning Monday night. 1t
was the original plan to present "Fati-
nitzan during the present engagement,
and devote foursweeks1to prince Ana
nias,n But prince Ananias" was so
successful it ran out the time intended
for "Fatinitza." The Bostonians begin
road tour at Pittsburg January IA, and
sPrince Anantas" will form an attract
iveafeature of the repertoire
L a