The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-31
MUSIC AND DRAME>
WILBUR OPERA co.

t;on hut for the Wilburs to draw good
hou ses for a fortnight in city the size
of Portland is nothing new in the COM
pany's experience. Such is the favor
established by the meritorious perform
ances year after year that the annual en-
gagement of the troupe is one of the
most popular events of the amusement
season, and it will doubtless continue to
be so for long time to come.
The entertainment Of yesterday after
noon and the one of last evening afford
ed rare enjoyment to the goodly audi
ences. For today's matinee Grand
Duchess" is announced as the card. To-
night the company will be seen in
martha.
SECRET SERVICE.
William Gillette's latest and greatest
success, "Secret Service q romance of
the Confederacy, will be presented by
Manager Charles Frohman at the Jeffer-
son Theatre next Friday, Saturday and
Saturday matinee. His play has made a
profound sensation in America, England
and France. The plot hinges upon the
daring and quick-witted work of the men
In the secret service during the war
times, in other words, the spies. These
men fight their battles alone without an
army of comrades at hand to back them
up in their bravery, and under the enc
my's very nose. The brainy plans and
stealthy manoeuvres Of these men have
furnished Mr.. Gillette with splendid ma
terial upon which to base his intense and
stirring stage story. Those who have
seen some of his former plays. among
which may be mentioned, Held by the
Enemy "The Private Secretary, - "Too
Much Johnson" will undoubtedly look
for treat out of the common in this
forthcoming engagement of Secret Ser
vice. his latest and most successful
effort. The cast which will interpret the
play in this city is from all accounts
thoroughly competent, and Manager
Frohman has of course mounted the
play in his usual lavish manner. Seats
are on sale now.
ESMERALDA.
Tonight Esmeralda will be given by
amateurs in the vestry of the New Jeru-
salem s.churchEon High street.. The play
has been well scast and each one is par
ticularly.s suited to his or her part. The
Utility club has always been noted in
its past dramatic events by the way in
which the stage has been dressed and
by the Ebrillianey and taste Of the actors
costume and one may rest assumed that
this occasion will be no exception The
play will provide o full evenings enter
tainment which will be interspersed
with musical selections betweenssthe acts.
Lovers of amateur dramatic talent should
not fail to seize this opportunity.
The following will be the cast:
Old Man Rogers, North Carolina
farmer, Dr. Fl. M Nickerson
Mrs. Rogers, his wife,
Miss Marion Worcester
Esmeralda, his daughter,
Miss Florence Eaton
Estabrooke, man of leisure,
A. L. Douglass
Geo., Drew, an'Americar speculator.
E. Ii. Paine
Marquis de Montessin, an French ad-
venturer, E. II. Paine
Jack Desmond, an American artist,
G. A. Q. Smith
Nora Desmond, Miss ElsiesLiyermore
Kate Desmond, Miss Ernestine LeavitJ
TUFTS COLLEGE GLEE CLUB.
Next Wednesday evening, April 9th,
the Tufts College Glee, Mandolin and
Guitar clubs, will give 3 concert in
Kotzschmar hall, under the auspices of
the Y. P. G. U. of the Church of the Mes
siah.
The Boston Globe speaking of a concert
by the club, says: 1.-THE concert last
night was one of the best in this seasons
course. The programme included selec-
lions by the giee, mandolin and guitar
club, also readings, all of which were
greatly appreciated, judging from the fire.
quent bursts OF applause from the large
gathering"
HEART OF CHICAGO.
The much talked of railroad scene in
the "Heart of Chicago which comes to
the Portland Theatre Wednesday and
Thursday, April 81, is said to be really
marvellous bit of mechanical scenic con-
struction. It is covered by twenty five
different patents. A train presenting all
the appearance of rapidly lessening dis
tance as it approaches the observer, final
ly dashes down to the footlights full
sized. This scene occupies ten minutes.
I he sale of seats open Monday.
NOTES.
April 4th, 9TH and 9Th. the "Passion
Play will be presented at The Jefferson
Mr.. George Patch of this city is to
Join Denman Ihompson's company,
.The Old Homestead" taking the place
of the country fiddler, which for years
was played by Clarence NJ. Richardson,
also Of t. is city.
The condition of Fanny Davenport
was slightly improved Monday night.
A gradual rally was noticed by her ply
sicians during the day and by night the
PATIENTS chances for recovery were con-
sidered better than for some days rreyi-
Gus.
Miss Julia Arthur is seriously i'll in
Boston, and the Hollis street theatre is
closed in consequence.
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