The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-11-13
MUSIC AND DRAMA
THE JEFFERSON.

1t is quite a year since Fannie Rice
made her first appearance in Portland,
and she was accorded a warm welcome by
a large and appreciative audience on her
second coming, at the Jefferson last night
The curtain was rung up on the new
version of AT the French Ball - which
is we'll chosen vehicle to carry along
songs to please the ear; fun making in
plenty to move to laughter; charming
costumes and graceful dancing to catch
the eyes-in short it Is a sort of pot pourri
in which music and comedy are happily
blended
The play was built for Fanny Rice and,
OF course, she is the central figure ever to
the fore, in the character of Nancy, the
pretty young wife of an industrious,
frugal German shoe maker.
The first act takes Nancy to the home
of wife of wealthy stock broker; the
second act to the boudoir of naughty
and petted prima- donna, and the third
act to French masquerade ball, and in
each place, although at first fascinated
and entranced at the grandeur of these
wealthy people, Nancy soon finds beneath
the glitter and glamor of wealth aching
hearts with whom she would not care to
exchange places and just before the final
curtain exclaims "Be it ever SO humble
there is no place like home"
Her earnest sympathy and anxiety to
serve others together with her honest
simple ity, get her and the other char
49, ir,+ Ill
complications and situations, out of
which her quick perception and ready
wit invariably extricates them.
The dialogue is witty and gives Fanny
Rice and her company ample scope for
the display of their talents. Her char
acterization is droIl with vein of
diablerie running through it; her laugh
is Infectious; her facial expressions lively
and mobile; her humor dry and attrac-
tive. During the performance Miss Rice
! introduces her singing and dancing and
was compelled to respond to repeated en-
cores and curtain calls. Her doll act
scored great hit.
Miss Bagley sang pleasantly and her
songs were happily illustrated by pictures
thrown on the screen. There were special
ty acts which we're well received and the
work of the quartette in the last scene
won a deserved encore.
Charles Bradshaw, the Duke. with a
title for sale, was clever, and the -Four
Gay Girls" frolicked amusingly. Mr..
West the gay old deceiver. was acceptable
while Effie Guise as Viola Slyhoots was
conspicuous for her stately stage presence.
Miss Jeffrie and Mr.. Terry were good in
their parts, and as a whole the cast proved
themselves fairly worthy of appearing in
support of an artist of Miss Rice's rare
alb ility.
BENNETT AND MOULTON.
Today the last opportunities will be
afforded to see the Bennett 4 Moulton
Company in the 1.-TWO Orphans one of
the strongest melodramas ever put on the
stage, which will be presented at the
matinee and "Fighting for Cuba's
Cause in the evening which met with
such favor earlier in the week. Notwith
standing the storm there was good au-
dience at yesterdays matinee to see
Darkest Russia while "Mckenna's
Filtration" in the evening was given in
capital style. Justin Adams took the
part made famous by Billy Barry in great
shape and the applause and laughter were
continuous. The specialties and orches.
ira selections as usual, were warmly re-
ceived-
FRIEND FRITZ.
Next Monday and Tuesday evenings the
amusement lovers of Portland will have
the last opportunity of witnessing that
beautiful musical pastoral drama, Friend
Fritz" This charming adaptation of
Chatrain's remarkable three act play
L'Amago Fritz, has toured the country,
and everywhere met with the praisie and
success 1t SO richly deserves, and the final
and farewell performances are now being
given. AS is well remembered, the
phrase of Alsatian life that is portrayed
admits of beautiful stage settings and
picturesque costuming, and scenery has
been painted from special models by VIM.
Gill, and, together with the new costumes
and many new musical numbers written
by Julian Edwards, the production is
even more pretentious than when last
seen here. The company, which includes
many favorites, is headed by John and
Marion Manola- Mason, names which are
synonymous with an enjoyable evenings
entertainment.
LILLIAN KEN ENDY.
1.-THE Deacon's Daughter, with Lillian
Kennedy will lie at Portland Theatre Fri
day and Saturday, November 1890. No
soubrette that has ever appeared in this
citu has charrned &c 1,nanu andiornoor &c