The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-05-11
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
Ethel Tucker.

Last night at Portland theatre, Miss
Ethel Tucker and the II. p. Meldon COM
pany, made their first appearance here
before a large audience and presented as
the opening number of weeks roper
toire Hal Reds success La Belle
Marie" an up-to-date comedy drama in
four acts and prologue in which around
the central idea of woman's vengeance
are thrown thrilling situations and ex-
citing climaxes, with good sprinkling
of the comedy element. Miss Tucker is
an exceptionally fine actress and her pre-
sentation and Interpretation of charac-
ter made famous by Miss Agnes Herndon,
was thoroughly enjoyed as a most
meritorous performance. Mr.. Meldon
was unusually good, and the supporting
company did excellent work. The special
ties introduced were well received, and
the vaudeville artists won merited en-
cores. The popular prices and the ex-
ceptionally strong plays and scenery car
ried by the company in keeping with its
high standard of the organization, should
insure for it a liberal patro mage At to-
days matinee, Lenwood, or Kentucky
Girl will be presented, and tonight the
attractive play of Queena.
A Charming Recital.
A charming recital was given at the
Casino, Willard, last evening, by Mrs.
Fannie Thompson and pupils, assisted
by Mrs. Jean Bergland Slocu1n, Mr.. A.
S.Macreadie, and the Carciotto quartette.
In spite of the inclement weather there
was very large attendance, and the
various numbers on the programme were
heartily applauded and several responded
to encores. 1t was a pleasing programme
throughout and well rendered, rejecting
much credit upon Mrs. Thompson as
successful teacher. Mrs. Slocum's read
ings were one of the features of the eve.
ming and she received several encores, to
which she responded gracefully. The
Carciotto quartette played several selec-
tions finely. Mr.. A. S. Macreadie rem
dered a vocal solo in charming style
and responded to an encore. 1t would
be rather hard to pick out many num-
bers on the programme for special men
ton, as all were rendered in mastery
style, but, perhaps, one of the most pleas
ing features was the mandolin and guitar
trio by the little Misses Sterling and
Bryant. These little tots played their Sc
lection in manner that was surprising
in children so young, and at the close
they were greeted with the heartiest ap-
plause, to which they responded with an
other number. The, programme closed
with a selection by Mrs. Thompson's
pupils, which was well rendered and re-
ceived much merited applause.
Mozart Club Musicale.
A very pleasant musical was given by
the Mozart club last evening at the home
of Mr.. Julius E.Ward, 27O Forest avenue,
Woodfords. The Mozart club is tenn
porary organization of the young must
cal talent of Westbrook Woodfords and
Portland, and as they have been laboring
hard during the past few months, Prof
Ward, their director, arranged for an in
formal musical and reception which was
held last evening.
The first part of the programme was de-
voted to chorus work, and many Of the
selections rendered were of difficult COM
position.
During the evening the Crock Fami-
ly," a sextette banjo, guitar and mando-
lin club composed of two brothers and
four sisters, residents of Westbrook, rem
dered selections of up-to-date music, each
selection being played in manner credit
able to high class professionals. They
were heartily applauded on each mum
Der. By request Mr. Ward rendered stPer-.
neo-ra from II Travatore. Mr. Ward has
a rich, powerful voice and was heard to
good advantage in the above selection.
Refreshments of ice cream and cake
were served during the evening after
which the evening was spent in social
way
The Mozart club will be organized per-
manently and choose it's officers this
week, and at an early date the club, un-
der the direction of their director, Mr.
Ward, will present the cantata Ruth
in Woodfords and Portland and in other
places where arrangements are being per-
fected.
A Stranger in New York.
Jolly Marie Jansen, the well-known
comic opera star, will be seen here very
soon in Hoyt's latest and most success
full effort, "a Stranger in New York, .
which has just closed a phenomenally
successful run in Boston, and up to the
present time has broken all previous
Hoyt records for box office receipts. The
new piece is said to be not only the best
work of this popular playwright, but it
is presented by the most expensive COM
pany of players ever organized. The
scenery is said to be the most elaborate
ever used in omedy.
The Amateurs.
Tickets for the play to be given by the
amateurs next Monday evening will be
on sale at s O'Clock this morning at Port
land theatre box office 1t is seldom that
a dramatic effort by home talent has not
been warmly endorsed by the public of
Portland and in this case it is to be hoped
that there will be a general appreciation
of this latest effort. The story of the