The Portland daily press., 1898-06-21
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
MooULLUM's THEATRE.

evening "The Old, Old Story" a drama
in four acts, received its initial presen-
tation of the week before large audi
enee, which was steadily enthusiastic
and bestowed it's applause judiciously
and abundantly. The characters were
distributed as follows:
Philip Halreigh, young Eng ish-
man, William Fl. Pasco
Nathaniel Beekman, firm of Beck
man & Sons. Bankers, Broad
street, N. Y, j. r. Armstrong
Stephen Wright
Cyrus Bliss, NJ. D., physician of
Archie Sherwood, private secretary
of Beekman & Son, James Bankson
Louise Schuyler, war; of Nathaniel
Beekman, 1# 80 Miss Lisie Leigh
Mrs. Rosa Sherwood, with penchant
for antiques. Miss Lillian Andrews
Edith Bliss daughtearr , OF Of Or Bliss;
Mrs. Beekman, so Mary Davenport
The essence of the play is purely ro-
mantle, the story is beautiful and entrano-
ingly interesting and deals with the love
of Philip for Louise. across the pathway
of which, comes the unraveling of a
fraud perpetrated upon Philips father
by New York banking firm, none other
in fact than that of Beekman 81 Son.
The money is returned ON condition that
Philip leaves the country. Clouds gather
thicker over the head of this firm and to
save it from impending ruin and in a
spirit of self sacrifice the heroine is about
to marry Sidney Beekman, when he dies
from mental anguish at the thought that
Louise really loves another. The play
end happily for the two lovers, in fact for
all in the cast who are matrimoniaIly in.
olined, not to forget the Doctor and Mrs.
Sherwood.
The tone of the dialogue is light, its
style at times sparkling and it's manner
human. The interest is sustained through
out and the suspense active until the fall
of the final curtain.
The play is adequately staged and the
costumes of the ladies are worthy of
special note. They are creations, dreams
so to speak dazzling and beautiful to
the eye.
The action can be fairly said to have
brought out all that was hidden in the
piece. The players. were happily fitted
to their parts and gave very even per-
formance -
Miss Leigh's acting was exquisite and
her love making in the first act was
beautiful and POLITICALLY conceived. Her
emotional passage in the third act in her
scene with the two lovers was strong
and quite dramatic. Miss Andrews at
once ingratiated herself by her earnest,
at times, breezy action, and her scenes
with Mr. MoCullum were replete with
good comedy work. Miss Davenport
moulded for dignity, acts always con-
sistently and with easy effect. Miss In
gram portrayed giddy part, true to life,
in her usual sprightly manner, having
as her second Mr.. Bankson, good
comedian, whose volatility was pleasing
and refreshing.
Mr.. McCullum was humorou as ever
and exactly fitted the physician of the
old school, while a need OF great praise
is due Mr.. Wright for his strong, intense
Characterization Mental anguish was
Mr.. Pasco as Philip HarIeigh had man
", heroic. role, affording scope for his
finished, graceful acting, and he made the
most of the opportunity offered. Mr..
Armstrong was very meritorous Beck
man in make up and Characterization.
Il Every one with the slightest interest in
a beautiful romantic drama should see
"The Old, Old Story" 1t deserves a
prosperous Week.
THE GEM
"Aristocracy, powerful drama from
the pen of that excellent playwright,
Bronson Howard, was successfully pre-
sented by Byron Douglass company at
The Gem last evening to a large and
appeciatiye audience of what might be
called enthusiastic "hrst nighters.
The cast was as follows:
Jefferson Stockton, Mr.. Byron Douglas
Diana Stockton, Miss LanciDg Rowan
Virginia Stockton,
Miss Virginia johnson
Sheridan Stockton, Mr.. Walter Thomas
or. Hamilton Stuart Lawrence
Mr.. Scott Cooper
Mrs. Lawrence, nee Ten Brook Van
Kortland, branch of tho family.
Miss Agnes Proctor
Katherine len Brock Lawrence,
Miss Myrtle May
Mr. Francis Byrne
Prince Emil Won Haldeman of Vienna.
Octave Due de Vigny, Volante of paris "N
Mr.. Louis f. Morrison
The Marquis of Normandie of London,
Mr.. Charles W. Giblyn
The Earl of Carlton Leigh,
Mr.. ]. Lester WalIack