The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-05-27
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
The Sages.

The Sages were greeted, last night at
the Portland theatre at the third of their
series OF entertainments by an audience
which packed the theatre and fairly test
ed its standing capacity. A large number
of volunteers subjected themselves to the
tests and for the most part were very
inceptive to hypnotic influences. Most
ludicrous and comical suggestions were
accepted as strikes, crying and laughing
scenes, car fights and situations which
kept the audience in one continued round
of laughter. The entertainment was by
far the most successful yet given.
Great interest was taken in the awaken
ing of the hypnotized young man who
for the past two days had been an OBJ
ject of public concern as he lay sleeping
in Ira F. Clark S window in Monument
Square. He was brought upon the stage
and seemed none the worse for his I'M
broken sleep and upon being weighed, as
result of muscular contraction, was
found to have lost about five pounds.
Affidavits of his watchers were read
which were conclusive that no fraud or
collision was practiced in this test.
The Sages were ably assisted by Mr..
McDole, who is the founder Of the st.
Louis Hypnotic Clinic, and not only aids
practical work SO far as amusement goes,
but is specially fitted for assisting in
presenting the subject of hypnotism to
private and public gatherings. That
these entertainments are growing in pub
lie favor is evidenced by the constantly
increasing attendance from night to
night.
Nickerson Comedy Co.
Next week at Portland theatre will
mark the return engagement of the well
and favorably known Nickerson Comedy
company that scored such a gratifying
success here seven weeks ago. Since their
appearance here the company has played
successful engagements in Salem, Ames
bury and Fitchburg, Mass, a weeks en-
gagement in each of these cities and in
the above named cities the members of
the company have made a social as we'll
as a theatrical success.
In Fitchburg the members of the COM
pany became acq TAINTED with more
people in that city during their week
stay than any other theatrical troupe that
has ever appeared there. This was owing
to the largely to the geniality of the
manager, Mr.. George Henry, who h ad
appeared with his company before several
of the local clubs and societies and they
made great success.
Messrs. j. J. Ryan, W. S. Cristy, F. L.
Whittier, John Larkin, Amy Ince, Del
Leon and Isabel Fletcher will be warmly
welcomed back in their legitimate roles,
and there will be pleasing vaudeville
specialties between the acts by Baby Rex,
Gray and Baby Blossom.
There will be matinees every day after
Monday and the repertoire will be an
nounced later in the daily and Sunday
papers. Popular prices will be the rule.
Musical Recital,
There was fair sized audience at City
hall last evening, the occasion of the first
appearance of the Hoffman Quartette
from the celebrated Boston Symphony
Orchestra, the participation by Miss
Florence G. Knight, the favorite Portland
soprano, the celebrated harpist of the
Symphony Orchestra, Mr.. Schneider, and
the reciter, Mr.. R. L. Whitcomb
While the concert was an admirable
one, the music would have been heard to
even greater advantage if there had been
a larger audience to kill the echo. The
Hoffman Quartette gave great pleasure.
precision and brilliancy, grace and much
feeling. These latter qualities were
especially noticeable in the playing of
Schubert's death and the Maiden"
which called forth vigorous double
encore, but the quartette only bowed.
The Hoffmans are composed of Messrs. J.
Hoffman, Hahn, Zahn and Rose.
Miss knights beautiful clear, refined
soprano charmed in Chaminade's
Summer and in response to the encore
she sang madrigal by Victor Harris.
For her second encore after delightful
rendering of an Irish folk song of Foote's,
and Goring-Thomas "Song of Sum
shine" she sang pretty Scotch ballad,
'Laddie." She received a beautiful bou-
qIlet and warm reception.
Mr.. Griffin was unable to appear, owing
to throat trouble, and Mr.. Hoffman gave
a Chopin "Nocturne" with great delicacy
and feeling to help fill the vacancy in the
programme. He was enthusiastically
applauded
Mr.. Schneider, the harpist, we should,
perhaps, have mentioned first. He is the
most enjoyable harp virtuoso we have
heard and we have heard them ALL For
his first encore he gave 'Song without
Words" and for the second Croatian
national air.
Mr.. Whitcomb recited several selection
with good taste and was also encored
Mr. W. H. Carter, the well-known Or
ganist at St. Lukes, accompanied with
great taste and added much to the eve
ning's enjoyment.
Old Folks Concert.
The Old Folks Concert at Second Par
ish church tonight will doubtless draw