The Portland daily press., 1898-07-29
MUSIC AND DRAMa.
THE GEM THEATRE,

1t must be very gratifying to the mana
gers of this theatre to hear the words of
commentator and praise that come from
every one that attends performance at
at the Gem. The summer visitor is very
much in evidence at this theatre and the
superiority of the stage productions over
all former seasons have gone all over the
country and the result is that there are
hundreds of visitors at Old Orchard and
adjacent summer resorts that come 10
Portland and Peaks island for no other
reason than to see the handsomes5 sum-
mer theatre in America and its company
of Frohman artists. The increased
attendance of wealth saud fashion over
former years is. very marked SO that IL is
remarked by the hotel proprietors that
the building of the Gem theatre and the
splendid stage productions presented there
each week have been the means ofsbring-
ing n Weather class of guests to the
island than ever before.
The plays at the Gem this week create
no end of funi and Amusement to the
audience. The situations are SO COM
do one upon another, that nothing but
roars Of laughter is heard from first to
last.
The Nita's + irst gives an opportunity
for every member Of Mr.. Douglass COM
pany of artists to show their ability to
please the public. The very latest
acquisition to the company is a beautiful
little baby who plays very Important
part in Nita's First, after all the troubles
and trials he goes through in being left
on doorsteps, and Scotland Yard police
station, and cab, windows and the poor
house. at last he is found and is brought
in triumphantly on the stage growing
and looking as happy as though nothing
had ever happened to him. When Satur-
day night comes he will draw bis weekly
salary as well as the rest of the COM
pany.
Tickets should be procured at as ear ly
date as possible for all performances.
Seats can be engaged now and should
be for the greatest stage production
ever seen this side of New York, the
week Of August 18th, when Shakespeare
great pastoral comedy AS You Like
It," will be brought out in manner
never seen before here or elsewhere.
MoCULLUMS THEATRE.
Last night was society night Of McCul-
lum's theatre and was tho occasion Of the
largest and most brilliant audience,
socially, of the season. The great
emotional drama Camille" is the at
traction this week, and all present last
evening were delighted with the artistic
and original conception of MISS Lisle
Leigh in the titular role of this old, but
still charming play. In all the fine
dramatic and emotional scenes Miss
] Leigh won enthusiastic and appreciative
| applause. the immense audience insisting
upon her appearance before the curtain
after each act Mr.. Pascoe shared the
honors of the evening with Miss Leigh,
his representation of the passionate lover,
Armand Duval, finding much favor with
the audience on account Of the force,
effectiveness and intelligence. that
marked his conception of the character.
The large audience seemed to afford in
spiration to the splendid company, each
number assuming his or her part with
much credit to themselves and adding
ma terially to the pleasure of the perform
ance. The handsome stagings were also
much appreciated. The beautiful and
costly costumes are a special delight tx
the lady patrons this week, for seldom, il
ever, have any more magnificent gowns
been displayed on local stage than those
worn by Miss Leigh and the other ladies
of the company this week. The advance
sale for tonight is equally as large as II
was for last evening and another crowded
house is assured. Patrons can secure
choice seats by obtaining them in ad
vance at Steinert & Sons music store
SIT Congress street, where they are OF
sale for all the remaining performances
Theatre parties still continue to attend
this heatre, one of 80 young ladies from
one of the large department stores having
engaged seats for this evening. Tickets
can be secured at the place OF advance
in the city until 10 O'Clock noon for the
matinees, and p. m. for the evening
are on sale at the box office at the
theatre.
THE ENSIGN
The attraction that Manager McCullum
will present at his theatre next week il
one that will eclipse any of his previous
efforts in this city. 1t will be grand
scenic and mechanical production of toe
successful naval drama, "The Ensign, .
written by Mr.. William Haworth 1t il
| impossible to conceive what this produc
ton will be except by those who have
visited the studio OF McCullum's theatre
during the past few weeks and seen the
large force of carpenters and scene paint
ers working on the special scenery which
| will embellish this powerful drama. Fol
two weeks this work has been carried or
night and day and during the same time
Manager McCullum has been diligently
conducting the rehearsals of the com
any. The story of the play Is founded
L h(