The Portland daily press., 1898-06-07
GusiC AND DRAMA.
OPENING OF TIE GEM.

entertainment at Peaks island has been
OF 1nordinate interest, and when it was
coupled, as was the case last night, with
the formal opening of new theatres
surely it marked an era in the dramatic
history of the city.
With feyerish interest the event was
awaited and now it is an accomplished
fact, for without ostentatlon or any su-
perfluities of set speech the Gem theatre,
has been added to Portland's summer
amusement resorts
There was great audience present, and
it was magnificent sight to look back
from the front chairs in the spacious au-
ditoriu1n upon the tiers of people. repre-
sentative of all classes and professions Of
the city, set forth by the rows of cleo
trio lights that shaded the dome and
cleaned in rows of green light over the
boxes and circled the stage and balcony.
The artistic finish Of the interior and
the beautiful effects which had been pro-
duced were admired by the vast audience
and in this connection it should be noted
that Owen, Moore & Co., were given
and are entitled to the warmest praise
for their handsome work.
After an inspiring rendition of nation
al airs by Callahan's orchestra of eight
pieces the curtain was rung up. only to
disclose an improvised second curtain
made of the Stars and Stripes, which
showed a patriotic chord in the spectators
and called forth long and hearty applause.
And now for the play:
Diplomacy, play IN four acts adapted
from Viotorien Sardou's "Dora," was
happily chosen for the opening night. 1t
is full of interest and is intensely dra-
matte, with every character firmly drawn
"a thing of nature and not of artifice-
the successful production of which de-
ponds, more than is ordinarily the case,
upon the Intelligent Interpretation of
each and every part.
The play has a thoroughly Partisan
atmosphere and the story opens in Monte
Carlo in the apartment of the Marquise
de Rio Lares, who finding herself in
financial difficulties sees in her daughter,
Dora, an instrument, SO to speak, with
which to recoup her fallen fortunes and
sets out to make rich alliance for her.
An acceptable sutton appears on the
scene in the person of a young diplomat
Julian Beauolerc who readily falls in love
with Dora. The alliance is opposed by
Henry Beauclerc, a brother of Julian,
who learns of the doubtful connections of
the Marquise with an agent Of the Rus
sian government, Baron Stein, who is
given to Intriguing and has as an accom-
plice an ideally wicked woman, the Coun-
tess Zicka. Their efforts, however, prove
abortive and the act ends with Julian
determination to marry Dora.
The second act witnesses the
wedding and then it is that
Countess Zicka who has always had a
large and warm place in her heart for
Julian. in a fit of jealousy and resent
ment at his marriage, and instigated by
the couniVing Baron Sein, steals certain
tracings OF Notifications which are in the
custody of Julian and fixes the guilt of
the theft on his wife. The act ends with
the discovery of the loss of the tracings
from Julian's despatch box.
In the til ird act the play fulfills the
prophecy OF the title for the intriguing
old aron Stein is now brought to bay by
the matchess diplomacy of Henry and
Julian who outwit tie old baron and re-
cover from him the stolen tracings B
Tie fourth act is laid III the room of
the British embassy at Paris where the
ENHANCEMENT is unraveled by Hen
Geauclerc The innocence of his brother.
wife is established, followed by confess
sion Of guild which is wrung from the
wicIe' Countess, who admits the stealing
q - tracings. and at the final curtain
Cora is restored to the love and confidence
OF heI husi aud.
The following is the distribution of
characters:
lienry Beauclerc, Mr.. Byron Douglas
Julian Beauclerc, MIR. Francis ByTne
count OFlcf, Mr.. Robert Lowe
baron Stein, Mr. Scott Cooper
AlEle Fairfax, Mr.. Walter Thomas
Markham, lir. Louis F. Morrison
MIR. shepherd, Mr. j. Lester WaIlack |
Anton, Mr.. Charles sGiblyn |
Marquise De Rio Zares,
Miss Virginia johnson |
Dora, her .HMiss Lansing Rowan |
Countess Zicka, Miss Agnes Proctor
Lady Henry Fairfax, Miss Myrtle May |
Ii non, Miss Blanche Hall |
Diplomacy was fttingly staged, hand
somely costumed and excellently well act
ed. Byron Douglas at the start enlisted |
the spectators on his side by his fine |
stage presence and studied acting. He
Knows the value of self repose and saw |
very effective in his quiet, silent work.
The Thoughtful expression of his face
was at times almost as eloquent as uttered
words. He appeared to excellent adyan |
tage throughout, notably SO in spe famous
scene OF the third act with his brother |
and Count Orloff, and in his dialoore |
with Countess zioka in the final ait. Mr. |
Cooper's Baron Stein was fine hit If |
character acting, and in the second act
his adroit and skilful work whom he and |
Countess Zioka were admirable foiIs
for each other, is noteworthy.
The comedy interest was well cared