The Portland daily press., 1899-09-04

week. An engagement of special local
interest Is that OF little Margaret Conley.
the talented child actress of this city,
for the child part, that is principal one
in the play.
| PORTLAND THEATRE OPENED.
Portland theatre opened its doors for
the season on Saturday and large audi
ences laughed at the antics of Peck 3
Bad Boy and the trouble he made for
Pa and the grocer. The company was a
good one and this old play retains its pop
| ularity. 1t Is too familiar to need extend
ed notice. The interest In the play was
| squalled by the interest the audience dis
played in the theatre which has been
handsomely refltted. The alterations
have already been described at length in
the PRESS.
A GRIP OF STEEL.
| One of the most notable dramatic pro-
auctions that has ever been seen In this
city, will DO q. J. Fielding's scenic pro-
duction of "a Grip of Steel" at Portland
Theatre, Monday and Tuesday evenings,
sept. 4th and 9th, with special Labor
Day matinee.
This play now enjoys the distinction of
being produced on three continents. and
! it also enjoyed one of the longest and
most successful runs ever accorded any
dramatic production In London.
| The story Of the play is somewhat SINH
lar to that of lights g. London, and the
Silver King, with more intensely interest
ing events that are realistic and some
very cleverly devised and thrilling elm
axes. There is a bright vein of comedy
running through the play which In the
hands Of clever comedians easily changes
an audience from tears to laughter.
The cast is one OF the strongest that has
ever been seen In this city In mslodrama,
as Manager Fielding has been very care
full in selecting his company and every
member Of 1t is cast to suitable part.
The production will be carefully staged
with a carload of scenery and all the
modern effects. A-Grip of Steel win be a
very realistic as we'll as pleasing per-
formance.
| There has already been a large advance
sale of seats and the capacity Of the house
will probably be tested Monday afternoon
and night.
EIGHT BELLS"
| Nothing that comes to this city can
claim a more extensive following of those
who like a stage entertainment that gives
them plenty of reason to laugh than
Eight Bells which will appear at
Portland Theatre one night Wednesday,
Sept. 9Th.
Often as this combination OF farce
comedy, gymnastics and general jollity
has been seen in this city, each passing
season witnesses changes for the better In
its many mirth-provoking scenes. and of
courss this concession to the publio's ap-
petite for novelty has not been neglected
in the present instance. The Byrne
Brothers have lots of new and funny
business in addition to what are perennial
of the old specialties. and those who can't
find laughter In the ground and lofty
tumbling, the odd encounters and the
thousand and one merry circumstances
crowding through eight Bells'' couldn't
find it In the dictionary.
"Eight Bells" in Its rejuvenated state
is one of the funniest works of its cl ass,
and Is thoroughly enjoyable. The play Is
certainly inclusive enough in the variety
of amusement 1t offers In the course of
an evening. 1t is in reality burlesque,
lpantomime and spectacular prod uotion
all In one. All the former successes in
the way of trick effects are retained and
many new things are added. 1t still
presents the great revolving ship scene,
the trick wagon, the hustling octopus, the
wierd trunk and doors and chairs and a
dozen other genuine novelties. The cast
is well adapted to carrying ON the fun OF
the piece. 1t is needless to praise the ane
acrobatie work of the John Byrne troupe
OF acrobats.
GUY BROTHERS. MINSTRELS.
There is nothing more enjoyable than a
good minstrel Performance. and next
Friday and Saturday with Saturday
matinee, the patrons OF. Portland Theatre
will be favored with Guy Brothers big
minstrel company. George and William
Guy have the distinction ofibeing the old
est minstrel men on the stage today and
still they are up-to-date. They toured
l America and Europe with the old-time