The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-11-09
MUSIC AND DRAMR.
BENNETT AND MouLToN.


such favorable impression here with
their opera company, deepened that i'm
preston, with their comedy company that
began weeks engagement at Portland
theatre in Donnely's Darkest Russia
last evening, to a crowded house up and
down stairs. 1t seems remarkable that a
play can be SO handsomely staged, and
presented by such good actors at such low
prices. The first act, representing the
Nazemof palace at St. Petersburg was
SO tine stage picture, Illuminated by
electric lights, that the audience gave a
round Of heartiest applause.
The play deals with Nihilism. The
leading characters were carried out very
successfully by Messrs. Daniel Mcclure,
Orson Dunn, Justin Adams. Joseph
Harris, Charles K. Harris, Miss Ella
Cameron, Miss Mary Tucker and Miss
Goldie. The orchestra, under the direction
of Joseph P. Trainor, played with very
good effect, receiving we'll deserved ap-
plause. Dan Simons, a clever comedian,
appeared between acts two and three in
an eccentric tramp speciality. Another
feature was the Lulniere cinematographe
with its interesting motion pictures,
which were unusually entertaining.
This afternoon the company will present
"Embassy Ball. and tonight the bill is
Fighting for Cuba's Cause" an in
teresting comedy drama of the present
struggle for Cuban independence. New
views will be shown, including fine ones
of the Queens jubilee.
"a COMMENTED WOMAN"
Hoyt's cleverest comedy will be seen
here at The Jefferson Tuesday and We'd
nesday evenings and special Wednesday
matinee. ga Contented Woman" has a
we'll defined plot treating upon law re-
Gently passed in Colorado giving the
right of suffrage to the fair sex, and CIV
ing them the right to hold municipal
Offices. One might say that ga Content
ed Woman" is a mirror wherein are re-
fected the skill of the costumer, the
colors of the scenic artists brush, the
sparkle of wit, and many handsome forms
and faces all working harmoniously to-
gether. Miss Belle Archer who is said to
be very handsome woman pIaysFthe title
role and is said to be peculiarly adapted
to play the role of the new woman, hav-
ing great magnetism in her favor and a
voice of much sweetness. Bonnie Lottie
the marvellous young dancer of "AContsnt-
ed Woman" although a child in years
has succeeded in overthrowing all the
conventional ideas regarding stage dane
ing. In the new dance she introduces
this season she pirouettes on one leg for
the space of three minutes, feat never
before attempted by any one. Reserved
seats are now on sale at the box office.
Regular prices.
"AT THE FRENCH BALL"
Fanny Rice's musical comedy success
Sat the French Ball. is an adaptation
Of the famous German comedy, "Three
Pairs of Shoes which was originally
written for the great Marie Geistinger
and was one of her grandest triumphs
The piece has, of course, been duly Ameri-
canized and specially adapted to Miss
Rice's uses. In her imprersonation of
Nancy in this play she is thoroughly ar
tistiu. perfect in action, speech and COS
tulne-oAco seen never 10 Dc lOrgoUuen.
Fanny Rice is thoroughly human and de-
lightfully droll. Her humor, her pathos
and the thousand little touches that she
gives to the part are the work of an ar
tist AT the French Ball will
be presented at The Jefferson
Friday and Saturday evenings of this
week. Reserved seats on sale Wednesday
at 9 a. m.