The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-01-30
THE GRAND PARADA.
A Gorgeous Spectacle Presented at
City Hall Last Evening.

City Hall Last evening"
Beautiful Dances-Charming songs-Ap-
propriate Scenery-Rich Costumes
Dazzling Transformations - Stirring
Misunderstanding Choruses.
The Grand Parada received Its first
performance at City hall last evening.
1t achieved an instant SUCCESS. From
the first dance to tie last the house
rung with applause, and the sympathy
of the audience was felt by the actors
go thoroughly that 1t infused great life
and animation into their performances.
Whsn the curtain rose OH the tableaux
of nations there was revealed rev upon
row and tier upon tier of beautifully Gus
TUNED children and ADULTS who formed
solid bank Of yarigated and harmoni-
GUS COLOR that was heightened by the
power of the calcium light Then with
scarcely moments wait the orchestra
struck up sprightly air and the fairies
came tripping on to the stage. little tots
arrayed in fury skirts of white, green,
pink and yellow. and wearing silver
tiaras decked with glitterng stars. They
executed several movements Of simple
dane. with much archness and express
sion. Then came marked feature of the
spectacle. The Egyptian Bellies ap-
peared in attractive costumes of blnck
tan letan, richly bespangled with silver.
They were most graceful and finished in
their artistic movements. The Zsphyrs
next appeared in fling costumes of pink
and whits and wearing wIeaths, fol-
lowed by particularly cunning number,
the dance of the Cupids, pretty little boys
who threw kisses 10 the audience while
they bent their heads in listening atti-
tude. At the close of this number Miss
Mabel Cushing sang very prettily:
The flower dance followed. the partici-
pants costumed in yellow and bearing
floral arches, and winding in and out
in intricate movements. Then came tho
imperial Guards in their rich costumes
of red and blue satin, prettily trimmed
with silver. Thoy executed their march
in true military style. The Imperials
were followed by feature that delighted
the audience beyond measure. This was
the Metropolitans. They had the charac-
teristio tough appearance of the reel
Bowery step and air. The orchestra
struck Up "Maggie Murphy's Home, )"
aud the audience insisted on an encore
they were followed by the most attrsc-
tive and refined dance of the evening,
The Graoes. The performance of the
participants was one series of dream
like movements and poses. Their dress
es of Nile green haa long flowing sleeves
of the Grecian pattern, trimmed with
silver, while their hair was held in
place by long bands of silver. As the
different colored lights were thrown up
on them, they presented beautiful
scene, and when they formed pyramid
at the back of the stage, it proved I'll
ting ending of the first part of the en-
tertainment.
Part second consisted of n series of
illustrated songs sung very prettily by
Miss Files. Part third was devoted to
the camp and homs Of the Gypsy Queen.
1t was the gypsy camp in the "BohsDli-
an Girl Miss Crafts assumed the role
of the Gypsy Queen and she sang with
SO much fervor, SO sympathetically, and
her voice was SO musical and flexible that
she had to repeat II Dreamt that I
Dwelt.'' The gypsy dance WINS execut-
ed with great aban don and make de-
lightful stage picture. During She act
Mile. Pauletta, a charming young pro-
fessional dancer, appeared in pms seul,
so captivating the audience that a re-
petition was demanded.
The third part was noticeable for the
Uorsicans, brilliant in green and pink
satin costumes, heavily trimmed with
silver and gold. dancing to the familiar
air "Linger Longer Lucy" followed by
the Colonial GO vote, the gentlemen all
wearing colonial costumes of different
coIored satins. Then Nile. Pauletta gave
a negro dance very cleverly which was
encored. The Fleur di Lis next ap-
reared: eeven young ladies in brilliant
costumes of light colored satin heavily
trimmed with gold and topping their
heads in a coquettish manner were
satin hats of tho style affected in tie era
Of Napoleon. Each had lorgnette
daiutily held to the eye and had thu an