The Portland daily press., 1897-05-07
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
Hoyt's Black sheep.

tors life in the wild and woody west are
humorously depicted in one of Hoyt's
most rollicking farces, ga Black Sheep"
1t is. a farce as full Of bright dialogue.
jollity, humorous situations, catchy
music and pretty girls, as an egg is full
of meat.
As a fun producer Hoyt hash t an equal
in the realm of farce comedy and Otis
Harlan is one of Hoyt's leading comedi-
ans He is prime favorite in Portland
and admirable in his character of Hot
Stuff, while another favorite Billy De
We're again edits "The Tombstone In
scription' in his bright and breezy way.
His genial personality and hearty in
fictitious laugh was again heard last
night.
AS usual Hoyt has sent out fine sup
porting company and clever speclaltles
are introduced in each act
The audience last night was large on
and the applause was hearty and con-
slant.
The Old Homestead.
Announcement is made that on Friday
and Saturday evening and Saturday
matinee at Portland theatre will be pre-
sented Denman Thompson S familiar and
always welcome story of New England
home life Wherever it is presented it's
country scenes have been the most en-
joyed, because people who live in cities
and who spend their days in active en-
terprise and energetic work, have been
attracted to what they know least of in
real life. On the old Swanzey farm as
one sees it in 1.-THE Old Homestead, y
there is no business save that of direct
out door nature. The homely old fash
toned play teaches of the charm of sim
plicity, contentment, honesty and good
will. Its story is one of every day occur
renee in all classes of society. Its charae-
tiers are full of genuine nature, and the
quaint honest country people are pic
lures the public like best to study and
enjoy. Nothing can be said unfavorable
of 1.-THE Old Homestead for it has been
too well tested. The company that is to
present the piece is the same as lat the
last visit. Archie Boyd who made such a
success for several years returns to the
cast this season in the role of Joshua
Whitcomb,' W. M. Cressy will be seen
again as Soy Prince" Chas. H. Clark
as ''Seth Perkins, Marie Kimball as
"Aunt Tidy" Blanche Dayne as
"Rickety Ann" and J. L. Morgan as
s'the Ganzy boy All the characters are
in the hands Of people who have been as
socilted with Mr.. Thompson for many
years, and have almost become identified
as the type they represent. The double
male quartette led by Dick Jose still re-
mains one of the prominent features, and
many songs and harmonies are intro
duced, among which are the familiar
melodies of 1.-THE Old Oaken Bucket, :"
Gin Old Madrid 1.-THE Bridge and
other old fashioned songs. The impress
sive "Palms Choral service by the
Grace Church choir is given by the full
musical strength of the company.
Ethel Tucker.
Miss Ethel Tucker and the II. P.
Meldon company begin a weeks engage
ment at the Portland theatre next Mon
day evening, presenting Hal Reds sue
cess, "La Belle Marie. - Beginning
Tuesday there will be two performances
daily, afternoon and evening, throughout
the week. The Westerly Sun says: ssLa
Belle Marie Hal Reid's success, was
presented last evening as the opening
number of week S repertoire at Bliven S
Opera House by Miss Ethel Tucker, sup
ported by the H. p Meldon company,
and speciality artists. AS all know, this
play is the star piece of Miss Agnes Hern-
don, but her Interpretation did net sur
pass that given it by Miss Tucker last
evening, who, by the way, is an excep-
tionally fine actress to be found in a
repertoire company. Her support was
excellent, the members of the company
being especially adapted for repertoire
work. The vaudeville artists won hearty
applause by their specialties, John E.
Brennan winning repeated encores. Baby
Vavene is even more cute than Baby
June, so popular with Westerly audi
ences. The scenery carried by the com
pany is in keeping with the high stand
ard of the organization.
The Watkin-MilIs Recital.
Tonight the following superb selections
will be given by England's leading bari
tone, Mr. Mills, and Portland S popular
pianist, Mr.. Harvey Murray. This is
Mr.. WatlSin Mills only appearance east
of Boston and first song recital in the
state. Two hundred reserved seats at
fifty cents can now be secured by book
ing at once at Stockbridge's. This will
be a great opportunity for vocal students
and pianists. This will be the pro-
gramme:
Hear Me, Ye Winds and Waves,
From Julius Caesar and Scipio,
Handel
Q tu Palermo, From 1 Vespri ST.
cfliani, Verdi
Sirs, Your Toast, Toreador Song
from Carmen, Bizet
Ballade, in A flat, Chopin
I'm a Roamer, From Son and
Stranger, Mendelssohn
o Ruddier than the Cherry, From
Acis and Galatea, Handel
The Wanderer, Schubert
- Ts--1.+