The Portland daily press., 1899-07-07
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
THE GEM.


1t has always been supposed that the
life of an actor of either sex WINS more or
less of slnerure--a "cinch," to turn
to the vernacular of the day. "A good
salary ana little or nothing to do" Such
is the popular though erroneous impress
sion held by thoss not on tho stage. In
the big New York productions 1t is often
trus for once play sets In for long
run, there are no rehearsals required.
These are after all is said and done, the
bane Of the actors life. Most players
would rather give two performances than
be Obliged to attend one rehearsal But
the greatest strain on the player is when
he or she is connected with a stock COM
pany where new play is put on each
week and where daily matinee is Civ
en-. Take the Barrows company at the
Gem for instance. This is the fourth
week OF the season and four plays have
been rehearsed and presented. A matinee
has been given every day but Sundays
and Mondays. Theirs have bean rehear-
sails each day since the season began, in
GLIDING Sundays anG Fourth OF July.
~-OeN ~ eAo SO'ARNhy DSinDdTS HutB LOU
previously appeared in the plays and in
many cases have never even seen them
presented elsewhere. This makes it nee
essary. practically, for them to originate
their respective roles. Rshearsals are
called each day at 10 a. m. and continue
until p m. Then there is barely time
to snatch hasty luncheon, make. up, "
and n ha aFt
And then comes the night performance.
If, after the excitement and WEAKNESS of
the day the actor can sleep. he is in
luck. And for work in summer he re-
ceives considerably less than his regular
winter salary. This in doubtless on the
principle that summer salary is "vel-
vet" anyway, and "to wear out is better
than to rust out - Paradoxical though
1t may seem. 1t is nevertheless true. that
players ars always anxious for engage
ments in the summer. OF the 10 mem
bers of Mr.. Barrows's company IA of them
have been engaged with summer STOCK
companies every year for the past five
years. If they are intent on midsum-
mer employment, certainly there is no
pleasanter place to be than Peaks island
and the Gem theatre.
GRANITE SPRING THEATRE.
The theatrical season was opened at the
Granite Spring theatre last night with
the appearance of the European Sensa-
ton Burlesqus company who gave an ex-
cellsnt vaudeville performance with
plenty OF ginger in 1t to a we'll filled
house. There were a great many women
In the audience who appeared to enjoy
the performance highly. The boat for
Long island left Portland pier at nalf past
seven clock and was well filed in spite
of the threatening rain. The run to the
island was made in remarkably quick
time and q few minutes after eight ,
o'clock the curtain went up in the Granite
Spring theatre on q laughable farce en-
titled "Uncle's VISIT which gave the
excellent company tine opportunity to
introduce themselves.
There was a great deal of fun in this
farce, plenty of shapeiy and pretty girls
who could sing and dance well. The
jokes and gags were all brand new and
the costumes very rich and pretty. Fol-
lowing the curtain raiser came the oIio
which brought out a number Of excellent
specialties- Miss Hazel Barrett, who is
possessed of fine voice, sang many up