The Portland daily press., 1897-05-04
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
A Black sheep.

Black sheep.
That the Portland Theatre next ThursSy
evening will have its seating capacity iS1ed
TO its utmost there can be doubt, ifeSne is
to Judge from the already heavy demand
for seats. Charles Hoyt is not only the rec
ognized American playwright of the day,
but the most successful. In his ten years
career author he has written and pro-
duced twelve comedies, and has never had
failure 1t is doubtful if any theatrical at
traction has strong hold upon theatre
going people the comedies offered by
Charles Hoyt. 1t may be because Nj. Hoyt,
peng an American himself, knows just what
the American public wants in the way OF
amusement. His ga Black Sheep which
scored such a pronounced hit here last sea-
son will be seen here the last time for at
least two years. 1t comes here direct from its
phenomenally successful run of one hun
bred and fifty nights at Hoyt's Theatre. New
York city. Since its last visit here the piece
has enjoyed marked success, having
broken the record for Hoyt's comedies at
the Grand Opera House, Chicago, by play
ing at that theatre for twelve weeks. The
sale of seats for the engagement here has
been unusually large. The original COM
pany, headed by Mr.. Otis Harlan, will be
seen here.
The Old Homestead.
Denman Thompson's quaint and delicious
play will be seen at Portland Theatre May
eth and Sth A visit to the cold homestead
is always refreshing. for one seems to get
away from himself and breathe the sweet
air of the hills, while he mingles with the
quaint characters whose purity of mind
feelings. One can hardly imagine himself
at a play, for the stage settings harmonic
so admirably with the people and incidents
that they appear to be part of the popula-
ton of Swanzey. '.Uncle Josh Whitcomb'
is not a stage char acter. He is an actual
parsonage, such as may be met with any
day in New England, and is known to
thousands who visit the theatre. Go and
see "'The Old Homestead, and you Will rec
ognize Uncle JOSH at once, even if you
have never seen the play. AS tsThe Old
Homestead has already been seen by hun
dreds of thousands of people in America, it
is probable that you have made his acqaint-
ance. If you have, you will be glad to see
him again, and if not, You will add to y ur
list of friends the lzindliest old man you ever
saw. Archie Boyd will be seen as 'tJoshua
Whitcomb'' part he has been absent from
f OF three years. The famous double quar-
tette led by Dick Jose will render the old
time melodies.
Trilby.
An exchange says. ga company of adj
mirable players has been brought together
by Manager A. Nj. Palmer for the interpre-
tation of Trilby. Every role is taken by a
competent person, and there is an attention
to detail that is at once commendable.
There are four acts in Paul NJ Potter's dra-
matization of Du Mauriel' S novel, The cur
tain rises on the studio of the Three Mus
keteers of the Brush, which sayors strongly
of the Latin Quarter in Paris. Taffy is in
love with Trilby, and he is about to take
a serious step in the matter. When he goes
out the Laird enters the studio and he too
is in love with TIilby and has decided at
last to propose to her. When Taffy returns
he proceeds to tell him of his love affair,
Then Little Billee comes in in a state of
great excitement. Trilby has been ex-
hibting herself somewhere and he is terribly
excited over it, Trilby comes in dressed as
vivandlere. Svenagli makes insulting ref
erences TO Trilby's exhibitions and il sud-
denly dawns upon her the horror of the stu
alton. Upon this point hinges the action of
the great play. 1t is beautifully staged by
a. NJ Palmer, whose company under the
direction of Vim. A. Brady will present the
piece here today, matinee and evening, at
Portland Theatre.
The Watkins-HIilIs Recital.
Seats can now be secured at Stock BRIDGES
for the fine concert to be given at Kotzsch-
mar Hall, Friday evening, by the great Eng
lish baritone, Watkins-Mills, assisted by
Harvey Murray, the popular pianist. Mr..
Mills was first heard here in connection
with the AfeIba concert, and created a great
impression There is no question but that
he is one Of the greatest concert singers of
the present day. There will doubtless be a
very brilliant and musical audience in at
tendance