The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-07-12
MUSIC AND DRAMA
MAY BLOSSOM.

uIaina may blossom, whose run III Now
YORK was SO phenomenal, is the bill at
McCullum's theatre this week and its
initial performance last night was most
successfully given in the presence OF a
large and responsive audience.
This was the cast:
Tom Blossom, James r. Armstrong
Steve Harland, William IL. Pascoe
Richard Ashcroft, Stephen Wright
Uncle BARTLETT, BARLEY McCullum
Eph, James Bankson
Capt. Hammond, Peter Lang
Hiram Sloan, William T. Garfield
May Blossom, Lisle Leigh
Deborah, Lillian Andre VS.
Millie, Beatrice Ingram
Little May. Jessie May Bartlett
Although the atmosphere ofithis play is
delightfully."- domestic it cannot be said
that there is an absence of thrills. The
story deals with the love of twosmen for
the same girl and the deception practiced
by one to win her from the other whom
she favored. 1t is replete with quaint
characters, such as, odd fishermen and
village celebrities of grotesque manners
and peculiar. dialect, while the. vein of wit
and humor that runs through the dia-
logue is in the distinguished playwright s
very best style.
The characters afford scope for the dis
play of the. highest emotional talent and
the opportunities afforded are taken ad-
vantage of by this excellent all round
compsny. The play surely is not lacking
in the comedy elements and this too is
we'll cared for. In fact an interesting and
fascinating story of heart interest is told
which appeals to all classes and the play
comes to US again greeted with that
warm welcome which is justly accorded
the familiar face of an old and admired
friend. f
The characters are appropriately dressed
and the play is well staged, notably SO
the storm scene with the falling snow
which is quit realistic and is enhanced
by startling electrical effects
The production is excellently well cast.
In fact it is difficult to suggest any i'm
provement in this line which could hare
been made by the manager.
The character studies by Messrs. Arm
strong. Conniers and Garfield are excel
AOhr AhSAA 'heeAouP IA SOoh ahu l1iO
portrayal of the quaint fishermen of the
Chesapeake bay are indeed interesting.
The scene in the second act which wit
nesses the return of Richard and the fix
ing of the lie on Steve is particularly
strong Que and the participants, Miss
Leigh, .Messrs. Pascoe and Wright deserve
the curtain calls which they received.
hI l..
Mr.. Wright's impersonation deserves the
warmsst commentator. 1t is humorous
and well studied and his climaxes are
reached in truly artistic manner
Miss Leigh is intelligent and character
istically conEcientious, while Miss In
Mig" Mr.. McCullum and Miss Andrews
keep the ball of fun in motion and roars
of laughter follow the funny repartee.
Mir. Fanksons makes good deal of the
typical black servant while a very decided
hit of the evening was the characterize
ton by little Jessie May Hall. She is a
clte winsome soubrette and does charm
ing bid of acting, and her contribution is
feature which is we'll worth trip to
Cape Cottage to see.
The eight little children as they are
grouped at the burial of the bird in the
closing act make most taking scene and
all in all MIR. McCullum is to be congrat-
ulatd on the production which can be
honestly viewed in no other light than
that of very notable success.
The demand for tickets is sure to be
good during the weeks presentation of
the play and they should be secured in
advance at Steinert & Sons music store,
5l7 Congress street.
RIvERTON PARK.
After the civil war closed an educa-
tional institution in Tennessee conceived
the idea of sending a company of its
students north to give concerts through
the country as an aid to the finances of
TIE institution. The scheme was a good
one. The jubilee singers made great
hit, and the idea has been kept up to the
present day. One of the best of the many
companies that has been organized for
this purpose is that formed in Alabama
ty Manager German who runs so large an
AN uSoIloub DuEedu IN DOSUUu. NC seleCt6l
the best Of those who were accustomed to
appearances before the public, and with
his keen intelligence ana knowledge of
what the public likes in the way of enter.
tainment he constructed a programme
that should show all the various phases
o. negro life. This company is stationed
for the present week at Riyerton park,
acknowledged to be the handsomest park
of the kind in New England, and one
whose reputation for clean and wholesome
amusement is far reaching. The trouba-
dours from Alabama are giving an enter
tainment that pleases all who see it.
Negro melodies are sung, their peculiar
dances are performed and they go through
the antics of plantation life, ending up
with grand cake walk. d perfect repro.
duction of the ambitious example set by
the negro in real life
Three times each day fine orchestral
concerts are given at the park by the Fa.