The Portland daily press., 1896-03-26
MUSIC AND DRAMA,
Wilbur Opera Company.

| Wilbur Opera Company.
| The usual crowded houses mark ed the
performances of "Martha" at the matt
nee yesterday at Portland theatre and
of "Falka" in the evening. "Falka" is
a favorite from its bright music, its
dashing brilliant costumes, its lively
marches and it's interpolated fun. Miss
Mortimer as Falka gave great deal of
pleasure. MIR. Clark was strong as
Boleslas, chief of the Tzigani, Mr.. Con-
| ley's sweet tenor was heard to advantage
in the part of Tancred, Mr.. Amsden
was good Fobach, Emmett Drew pleased
as Arthur, Mr.. Harvey was funny as
| lay brother Pelican, Hattie Richardson
was an attractive Edwidge, Mag gle
| Bolton assumed the two characters of
Mira and the landlord, most successful lily
the pages, and Gus Vaughan was salts
factory in the dual role of Tekell and
Bobby. The choruses were sung with
vim. The Amazon march was encored
and the Living Pictures fifty closed the
| performance. "Falka" will be given at
the matinee today and bohemian Girl"
| tonight.
The Germans.
The Germans never before made the hit
they are making this season in farce
comedy. They are supported by strong
company, and the speoialties are all good.
Everywhere this season they have ap-
paared to large and enthusiastic audi
enoes Their fun is spontaneous and they
sing well, and give an exhibition of CO.
centric dancing that brings down the
house. The entertainment they are pro-
vidinE is sure cure for the blues They
will be at Portland theatre next Monday.
Royal Handbell Ringers
The concert by the Royal Handbell
Ringers In the Stockbridge course last
night drew very large and enthusiastic
audience.
The music evoked from the bells by
these players of International renown,
was delightful. Their manipulative
skill was amazing. The entertainment
was one of high order and refinement.
Mr.. Miller, as the leader, is all alive.
He throws heart and soul and limbs all
into the work, and, with an animation
that seems to be inexhaustible, blends
wit and waggery with the more sober
performances. In appearance he might
be taken for an ordinary spare-ribbed,
longf raced Yankee. In action, when
performing, he Is like man on wires
and springs, and one might almost fancy
that some hand was behind him, pulling
the strings that set him in motion. But
he is genuine, earnest, patriotic soul.
His whole entertainment is pervaded
with high moral tone and happy hit
is frequently made against abuses and
evils which comes in just the right time
and in the right way.
The .dulciphonium produced richness
of one that cannot be surpassed, and
when accompanied by the piano, the
combination was most happy. "Home,
Sweet Home" was given with great
delicacy and one coloring. Perhaps
as striking number as any was the rem
dering of sold Folks at Home" "My
Highland Laddie," and" Annie Rooney"
on the Russian sleigh bells, while the
gavotte Memories of Elsmore" and Sui
livan's "Lost Chord" had many admir-
ers. The Royal Handbell Ringers will
always be gladly welcome. They showed
| among other things what can be done
with real chimes and also with what
dignity "God Save the Queen,' or "My
Country tits Of Thee should be rem
dered.
A Gilded Fool
Mr.. Nat G. Goodwin will be seen at
City hall Saturday evening for the first
time in this city, with one exception,
since he left the field of burlesque for
legitimate comedy. In his new field he
has won both fume and money but his
old time friends In Maine will never
forget the good old days when Nat was
almost fresh from Little Blue school at
Pennington and was as full of life and
spirits as it was possible for young
man of his age to be. What a stors of
"quips and cranks'' he had at his
tongues end with which to keep an audi
ence convulsed. Those who saw him as
LIE Blanc in "Evangeline'' at old Port.
land theatre-when Dick Golden played a
part of the heifer, and that little queen
of burlesque Eliza Weathersby played
Gabriel-wil always bear the perform
ance in remembrance. The late Charlie
Thomas, of Hoyt & Thomas, sat in the
orchestra circle seats, with the writer,
close to the stage, and as Nat would get
off joke to the audience he would fire
off another, under his breath to Thomas
who would reply soto vooe.
GA Gilded FooP' In which Goodwin
appears, Saturday night, is one of his
earliest comedy successes. 1t is written
with clearness and effect and possesses
noble qualities throughout, and offers
Mr.. Goodwin many opportunities for
action and incident. Mr.. Goodwin's
company this season includes such versa
tile artists as Miss Annie Russell, George
Fawcett, Jean Clara Walters, Henry
Bergman, Estelle Mortimer, and others.
A Midnight Bell.
Edd Roadway, the bright young come
d;c,1 ha no rt oftt Triv, -