The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-01-26
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
The Country Squire.

Archie Boyd and his admirable compa-
ny had been understood by Portland
people this theatre would not have been
large enough to accommodate the audi
ence. Among those present last evening
comparisons with "The Old Homestead,
"The County Fair" and "Shore Acres
were freely discussed, and that favorably
to this new drama. OF Mr.. BOYD and
his supporting company nothing but
good can be said. OF the star himself.
in his impersonation of Squire Eben
Tobias, the bare truth would seem exag-
geration if expressed in print. Eb. 10
bias should live as long and wax as
prosperous as Josh Whitcomb, whom
he does not semble, by the way, in the
slightest degree. Mr.. Boyd has here a
new creation. Mr.. Sterling, Mr.. Regain,
MIR. Moyerhan, Miss Gladys and Miss
John did the best work in good all
round cast, while the limits of space
will not permit giving the details of
their efforts.
Some very pretty scenery was shown
in the play, which should draw full
houses tonight and at the popular
priced matinee this afternoon.
The Cotton King.
One of the most notable engagements
of the season at the Portland Theatre is
that of "The Cotton King" coming Mon
day, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings
and Wednesday afternoon of next week.
"The Cotton King" is an English play,
but con tains an American element which
has added largely to its popularity in
this country. The hero, played by Ed
ward Mawson, acknowledged to be one
of the best of American romantic actors,
is prosperous Yankee, who goes to
Manchester to introduce Yankee ideas to
the great cotton factors of that city. As
is always the case with productions under
the direction of Manager VIM. A. Brady,
the staging of the play has been most
carefully and lavishly attended to.
Willie Collier in "One of the Boys.''
One of the favorite actors OF our thea
tire goers is that talented comedian,
Willier Collier. He is regarded in this
city as one OF the most amusing and ar
tistic delineators of stage characters of
odd types in his profession. The an
nouncement that he is to appear at the
Portland Theare Friday and Saturday of
next week in g new play will be met
with many expressions of delight. "One
of the Boys is it's title and it is the work
of Edward E. Kidder.k Shiftless Ike'' is
the role played by Mr.. Collier, part in
which he has scored great success
The sale of seats commences at the box
office next Tuesday morning.
Prince Pro Tenn.
A more deligE ted audience it would
be difficult to find than the one that
filled City Hall last evening to see Bar
net & Thompson's burlesque opera of
"Prince Pro Ten." 1t is a trifie. in two
acts. The libr etto, if not of the highest
order of wit, sparkles with numerous
bright sayings, and the songs and Choir
uses are exceedingly melodious.
The various characters are all exceed
ingly well taken, but it is that of Tom
my Tompkins, played by Fred Lennox,
and Wild Rosy, played by Josie Sadler,
that are worthy more careful and criti-
cal notice than hastily written news
paper article They are both exceeding
IL artistic-much abused as that word is
fun provoking while 1t stands on pin
nacle far above the ordinary burlesque
opera star actor, and Miss Sadler is de-
!ightful in her quaint assumption of
Wild Rosy. In her peculiar, arch. spir-
tied manner, and her graceful, skillful
dancing, Miss Jessie Bradbury gives
great pleasure in the character of Gwen
doin, the royal maid of all work, while
all the parts are deserving of mention.
The ladies of the chorus are young and
pretty; they, and the male members.
sing well; the piece is handsomely cos
tuned and staged. and the applause was
hearty and constant. LsnnoX's song
and chorus, "Tommy Tompkins, How
Dye Do,n had to be repeated several
times, as did Mr.. Edgerly's "McCarthy's
Wake"
Grand Opera.
Beginning Monday February 25th the
Abbey, Schoeffel & Grau grand opera
com pany from the Metropolitan opera
house, New York, will appear at the
Mechanics building, Boston, in Italian
and French operas. Orders for seats by
mail accompanied by certified checks
will receive prompt attention. The season
ticket subscription sale will close Feb
ruary 9th; the single nights sale will
begin Monday, February 18th. All the
old favorites of last season will appear,
besides the great tenor Tanlmagno, the
wonderful baritone Maurel, Zelie De
Lussan, the charming soprano of the
old Bostonians, and Sybil Sanderson,
who made such a hit in Paris.
Notes.
The Rossini concert will be given Feb
ruarv 9TH