The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-08-16

| Dut perhaps 1t is perInlsslple TO observe
that it was taken from kind of novel,
interspersed with brief poems, published
| in the year 1899. 1t was written ty
| Thomas Lodge, o gentleman and soldier
of that age and is full of very animate
and delightful descriptions, while the
dialogue shows much wisdom and
knowledge of the world. From this
story, amplided by new characters, was
evolved Shakespeare's great comedy
and it's pastoral version is the Offering
| for the week.
The entire action of the play takes
place IN the Forest of Arden and the
stage set is a marvel of Arcadian beauty
With its wonderful trees, oyerhanging
! foliage, etc., the most praiseworthy
work of that excellent scenic artist Max
Alexander. To carry out the dsa of q
pastoral performance the curtain was not
| lowered between any of the acts and
continually before the auditorsIwas this
forest scene, q yeritable feast for the
eyes, SO realistic as to make one almost
| forget that walls and dome were around
and above him.
| But to the cast. Rosalind's love Gfl
action and adventure constitute the chief
| incidents of the play, and Miss Lansing
Rowau's Interpretation is deserving of
| the greatest commendation. She won
the honors by her grace, her charming
appearance and the fine meditation of
voice with which she read her lines 1t
is fortunate that she had appeared before
in this role for it is hardly possible to
conceive with the short time allotted
for rehearsal that she could have achieved
Celia, her bandinags in herssdialogue with
Orlando, were all effective, and at the
end the recital of the epilogue abides
as a pleasant memory On her Rosallnd,
Miss Rowan's summer laurels can safe
| " rest
| The beautiful character of Celia, who
Fin obedience to the promptings of her
heart gives up fathers love and all the
attractions and destinations and a
crowd Of titled admirers, received a most
meritorious and intelligent impersona-
ton by Miss Virginia johnson. She
dressed the character in a way to make
a delightful stage picture and shares
with Miss Rowan honors of the highest
order.
Mr. Douglass early training with Ed
win Booth served him in good stead as
Orlando, and throughout the play, CEN
trail figure, his work was buoyant, and
he showed himself an adept along lines
Of comedy laid out by the great .dramatist.
Miss Agnes Proctor gave to the part Of
Audrey those touches of fresh rural SYM
plicity and unreserved sincerity which
should characterize the comedy peasant
girl, while Miss Myrtle May acted the
shepherdess in an tngratiating manner.
Mr.. Thomas was quite good as one OF
Shakespeare's most intelligent fools,
Touchstone, and avoiding broad farcical:
fun, depicted grave humor very acCepa
tably. Bir. Barringer's Adam was we'll
given and at times he spoke his lines so
as to win genuine applause. while Scott
Cooper as the melancholy moralizer and
should be splenetic railer, was fair.
Mr.. Lowe did excellent work in the
wrestling act with Orlando, and his char.
in the Sd act was one of the very notable
hits of the presentation.
Mr.. Bryne in the dual role of CORN
and Oliver, showed his versatility, while
Mr. Alison as the Duke, created favor
able impress sion The supporting cast
was thoroughly adequate and the music
of the quartette won deserved enoorss.
The costumes were appropriate and the
movements of the shepherds were pleas
ing features OF the production.
All in all, the long heralded play was
most successfully produced. and it was
we'll received by the largest audience of
first nighters yet gathered together at this
summer resort.
The prediction is made that the atten-
dance during the week will exceed all
records and this will be only Byron
Douglass deserts, for the efforts which
he has bestowed on this very elaborate
and commendable production have been
laborious and great should be his re-
ward and that of his entire company.
McCULLUM'S THEATRE
three acts, by Harry and Edward Paul
ton, was presented by Manager McCul- |
lum ana his talented company at McCul- |
lum's theatre last evening before large
and most appreoiative audience All
the members scored most decided and en- |
phatic hits in their respective parts, and
the production is one chat is bound to |
rank as one of the most artistic and en- |
Joyable of the season. The stage setting |
was very handsome and novel. and the
furniture and bric-a-brac used to dress
the scene was in splendid taste. The
electric lights and chandeliers with their
brilliant trimmings and varied colored
globes, illuminated the stage with a soft,
warm light that was most effectire
ana artistic. Another novelty of the per-
formance that is sure to prove feature
this week, is song and dance speciality,
introduced in the third act by MIR. j. A.