The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-09-08
MuslC AND DRAMA.


knew his audiences thoroughly when he
prepared his new opera, "Half King
for the public. In each effort he has
made to get closer to the lines of the
strictly legitim ate work called for in
The Chieftain, y "The Gondoliers" and
other operas in which he has appeared he
has had it clearly demonst rated to him
that his admirers found something want
ing. In ''Half King now attracting
great crowds wherever it is played, that
mis- sing element has undoubtedly been
supplied, and supplied literally. Call it
comic opera, opera bouffe, burlesque or
what you WILL there is no doubt about
the fund of merriment it is creating. and
there is every indication that it will fill
out the most prosperous season he has
ever had. 1t is a bright, melodious and
intensely amusing entertainment all the
way through, and while the critical ones
are trying to classify it in the proper
place in the category of dramatic compo-
sition, the public is laughing, applauding
and making Wilson richer day by day.
1t is with Wilson and "Half King
that the new Jefferson will open next
Tuesday evening. But there is still a
greater attraction on that night. The
great comedian himself for whom the
theatre is named, will give the opening
address.
There was great advance sale for The
Jetferson's open ing night at Cressey,
Jones & Aliens yesterday morning. The
house has been we'll sold, and Mr.. Fay,
the manager, and Mr.. Barney, the ad-
vance agent for Mr.. Wilson, are very
much pleased. A number of our we'll
known citizens have taken three rows in
the upper balcony or family circle. There
still remain good seats in the first bal
cony and also in the family circle.
Portland Theatre.
There will be a large turnout at Port
hend Theatre tonight to see the ex-cham.
pion prize fighter in his dramatic imper-
sopations. He is accompanied by a
large vaudeville company that has been
highly praised for its many exeellenoies
by the papers in the cities where it has
appeared. There are still good seats on
sale.
Sweet Inniscarra.
Chauncey Olcott, soon to appear at
So The Jefferson has made the hit of his
life in his new play, "Sweet Inniscarra -
which is announced for production fol-
lowing Francis Wilson in stHalf King
He is credited by the press throughout
the country with being the cleverest
comedian on the stage today. His fine
well trained tenor voice was never in bet
ter trim than at present and his singing
of the Irish melodies is, as ever, one of
the most delightful features Of the per-
Torrance.
Riverton Park.
Rarely is there seen medley of novel
ties SO generally good and attractive as
that offered this week by the Howard
Comique Novelty company at Riverton
park, and that such is the verdict of the
people is shown by the large crowds
which are attending both the afternoon
and evening performances at that charm
ing resort.
Prof. Burk's troupe of trained dogs is
a good show by itself. The dogs walk
in perfect time, turn sonaersaults, back
ward along the entire stage, jump hurd-
les in frolicsome manner, slip the col
lars from their necks and upset chairs,
perform equestrian tricks and in short
do most everything except indulge in
articulate speech, and they came mighty
near doing even that. One need not
seek the veriscope to get an idea of the
Corbett- Fitzsimmons fight, for the dogs
reproduce the leads and counters in a
very suggestive manner
II. L. Wait,st trick violinist, is most
skillful. With the violin in every grotes-
que position conceivable, between the
legs behind the back and etc., he plays
the sweetest music and fairly makes the
instrument talk in his clever limitations.
He needs not alone the ordinary bow. but
is quite as effective with improvised
ones, such as bottles and brushes.
E. NJ. Hall is veritable king of the
banjo, and his all-round playing and
characteristic. comedy entertainments de-
servedly caught the fancy of the audience.
Colby and Way in their unique ventrlo-
TO see. The doll act is quite up-to date
and very satisfactorily done.
The entertainment in all its raised
features is far above the average novel
ty melange and is certainly first class in
every respect and worthy of the most
liberal patronage.
Notes.
Tho Brunetti Theatre of Bologna, Ita-
ly, will henceforth bear the name of E
Duse. Nine. Eleonora Duse has ex-
pressed herself, it is said, as deeply graft
fed at the compliment. Nine. Duset is
now in Switzerland. Her physician,
Prof. Murri, has ordered her to take
complete rest for two months. After that
period she will begin series Of represen-
tations in various Italian cities.
An interesting playful of Mrs. John
Drew's Arch Street Theater is dated Oct.
IS, 1861. The performance began at 730
with Mrs. Inchbalds "Wiyes as They
We're" Mrs. Drew was Lady Mary
Rattle. She. was assisted by Charlotte