The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-11-22
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
WIZARD OF THE NILE.


presented the comic opera Wizard of the
Nile'' at 1.-The Jefferson Saturday matt
nee and evening to two large and delight
full audiences. Mr.. Victor Herbert, the
eminent composer, conductor and cello
virtuoso is the author of the music, and
Mr. Harry Smith wrote the book of the
opera. A more thoroughly pleasing en-
tertainment hasn't been given at the
theatre this season. The music is bright
and tuneful. 1t appeals to the musician
as well as to the average person who likes
to go away from the performance with
something new to whistle and sing cling
ing to the memory. The book is not out
rageously funny, but it's jokes and Its
dialogue are better than the most OF It's
kind. The people do not include any
great singers, but several OF the principals
have pleasing voices, and the chorus is
large, will balanced, and their voices are
of good quality and well trained.
Mr. Fred Frear as the Kibosh Is very
funny in his dry humor, and MS quiet
way. He doesn't pound a joke into you
like carpenter driving nail as some
other burlesque performers are apt to,
and consequently doesn't seem SO funny
to those who want the coloring laid on
with a very heavy brush, but he is quite
an artist in his way, and his "mugging,"
as it is called in the profession, or face
making grimaoes, are wonderfully good.
His "Am / q Wizard" as he plays the
old familiar egg trick on Ptolemy, king
of the Egyptians, and even on the croco-
ollie, has a perennial freshness, and his
assumption of fear in the pyramid when
the munmies jolly him, is exceedingly
laughable. Miss Willard has sweet
voice, which she uses most effectively,
and her "In Drealnland" was beautifully
rendered, and warmly encored. Miss
Agnes Paul as the Kibosh's apprentice
was bright and arch, and the other
characters were fairly taken. The number
Starlight with Its topical verses,
pleased greatly and the singers were re-
called again and again.
The scenery was fine and we'll set off by
the calcium, especially the scene repre-
senting the terraced roof ofhthe kings
palace, with5the Nile in the back ground,
at the beginning of the second act.
BLUE JEANS.
EThe question has often been asked, why
is "Rlue Jeans Sc popular with the
patrons of the theatre? One word will an
swer that, Realism" The characters
are natural, in fact studies from real life
in the "Blue Jeans District of Indiana.
The story is conventional yet interesting;
the scenes and incidents are realistic.
What is more natural than the pigeon on
the barn, the OK that is barbecued for the
political feast, the Rising Sun Roarsr's
band, and the great SAW mill in opera
ton? In every scene, incident and charao-
ter in 'Blue Jeans" Mr.. Arthur has
used all the elements of success-comedy,
pathos, and sensational effects, and he
selects his company to fit their respective
parts and rehearses them as he wishes
the parts played. He gets the results
that the public appreciate. The scenic
effects are original and the company is
competent. The patrons of The Jeffer-
son will have chance to pass judgment
as the play will be presented this and
tomorrow evenings. Seats are now on
sale.
BANDA ROSA
The wonderful success which the now
famous Banda. Rosa met with at itsssNew
York opening, followed by other triunphs
in Philadelphia. Baltimore and Washing
ton, was repeated this last week in Bos-
ton, where the magnificent organization
has been giving series of concerts at
Music Hall to crowded and wildly en-
and his men seem to have captured the
critics. and certainly the Boston public
etamped its approval in the most unmis-
,kable manner.a The band is Enow con-
C ided to be the peer of any organization
mat has visited these shores in many
years, and while not infringing on the
work of our local organizations, is fully
able TO give them many good points and
omen up new field for this class of
n lsic. The grand fantasies from the
operas which form the principal part Of
the programmes are the essence of these
works, so are brilliant and exceptionally
interesting and by their novelty and
freshness, the beauty of the arrange
nents. as well as their perfect rendition,
arouse enthusiasm as no other band has
been able to do for years. Their concerts
here next Saturday afternoon and even
ing, Nov. 81, at The Jefferson should
be another triumph and the house ought
to be crowded. Seats go on sale next
thursday at a. m. at regular prices.
THE GERMANS.
In 1898 the Germans Jumped from min
strelsyto comedy and made an unqualified
success. "The Gilhoolys Abroad" which
has served them SO we'll, has been shelved
aud they are now appearing in "Mr.
Beane from Boston, comedy hilarious
" funny, which affords them great scope
for the display of their versatile talents
The production is replete with new and
novel specialties and dances that can not
be seen elsewhere. The supporting COM
pany is admirable in every respect and
ailfare entertainers individually as well
as collectively. "Mr. Beane from Bos-
ton" will be the attraction at the Port
land theatre next Friday and Saturday,
Nov. 26 and 27, with special matinee
on Saturday.
EB...GAYEST MANHATTAN EEsg
As volatile and as full of sparkling life
as the fizz that forms on freshly opened
champagne is "Gayest Manhattan the