The Portland daily press., 1894-04-24
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
The Crust of Society

Mr.. Arthur Lewis and Miss Zeffie
TiIbury appeared last sevening at Port
land Theatre for the first time this sea,
son il the "Crust of Society,"" in which
play they achieved such a marked sue
cess here last June. The chilly, foggy
weather outside and the chilly feeling
of the auditorium seemed to have COM
municated itself to the principals the
first of the evening, for they did not
show the animation displayed last sea-
son. Later, as the play developed, and
the audience warmed up, they appeared
to better advantage.
Mr.. Lewis's Oliver st. Aubyn is very
natural. easy PRESERVATION. while Miss
Tilbury sustains with much power the
character of Mrs. Eastlake Chapel. the
brilliant woman, who is entangled In
many loves and leads life or intrigue.
The scenes between the couple sparkle
with repartee, and the situation in the
third act where she tells him how she
has outwitted him, was made admirably
effective by the forceful acting OF both.
The scenes here Oliver tells the story of
the "specked peaches" brought forth a
round of applause, and his scene with
acknowledgements Malcolm-was
made very effective from the natural,
ingenious acting of the lady.
The castsswas made notable from the
fact that Lydia Thompson, SO long famil-
lar to the theatrical public from her
prominence in the burlesque field, ap-
pearea in the character of Lady Downes.
Mr.. Arthur Forrest, who took the part
of Captain Randall Northcote, is fine
looking man, with proper appreciation
of the role, and acted with much spirit.
Mr.. Rexforc was, in makeup and man
ner, an appropriate Earl of Colchester,
while pretty Kathleen kerrigan made a
good Mrs. Echo. The other parts were
in good hands. The curtain was called
at the end of the third act. Those who
have not seen the play should be sure and
go tonight.
The Masons in "Friend Fritz" Tonight.
Tonight will be gala one in amuse-
ment circles, as the long heralded Man
ola Mason engagement commences at
City Hail, and the Elks offer as the first
attraction of their annual entertainment,
the masterpiece of tn Masons, that has
brought them fame and fortune, the
delightful Friend Fritz" 1t is one of
the most dainty and refined pieces be-
fore the public today, and the SPLEEN
did company of 30 people supporting the
Masons will give it fine portrayal.
Special scenery, enlarged orchestra,
souvenir programmes, ETC., will add to
the general pleasure of the evening. The
Bangor Wing says OF the presentation in
that city:
"The thoroughness of the presentation
in it's artistic details, a delightful play
and most competent company, made
an impression of the most pleasing char
acter. There was frequent applause as
an evidence of the interest and appre-
citation of the audience, and at the close
of the second act a curtain call was
given. The scenery, costumes and stage
settings are handsome and effective. The
musical numbers we're finely rendered.
Marion Manola's "Suzel" was most
sweet and charming portrayal, and Mr..
Mason's "Fit Kobus"was role acted in a
sterling manner. Mr.. MoWade's Rabbi"
Mr.. Crane'sss" Frederick" Mr.. Morrison's
"Hanego" were all excellent"
"Reminiscences of An Old Portland Show
Among the old time menageries that
used to visit Portland some fifty years
ago or so, was that of N. H. and TT.
Turner. Talking with veteran show
man the other day. that gentleman gave
strong instance of the power of women
oversanimals. He declared that no man
began to have like power. He in
stanced the case of Rosa Bonheur. the
portrait of whose pet lion lately adorned
the pages of one of the popular magazines.
This lion Mile. Bonheur could do anything
with she liked. Occasion demanded she
should go away, and she put the lion
in geological garden. The animal was
we'll treated, but the keepers had diff
Guilty in managing him. When Mile.
Bonheur returned she stepped to the
cage, where he was asleep in the corner,
and merely uttered the one word "Nero,"
the lions name. In an instant the ami
NAL sprang to his feet. rushed to the
bars and seemd almost crazy at her re-
turn.
The N. H. & I. +. Turner menagerie
each had four milk white horses of most
spirited action that drew the principal
wagon. The menagerie started out on
parade. They got along very we'll until
they reached the farther end of Danforth
ST., at what was then called Bridge ST.,
when one of the four white horses r
fused to proceed further. The driver
tried every method to induce him
to proceed, but without avail. He would
as soon have beaten his infant child as
have applied whip lash to any one of
that team. A chain was procured and
placed around the refractory animals
neck and the other end attached to an
other team, but the only effect was to
make the animals neck bleed. All at
once woman in the crowd stepped up
and said, "Will you let me try "Cer-
tainly, madam" said the driver. The
woman stepped up to the horse, fondled
him, patted his neck, washed off tho
blood, put protector over the chafed