The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-08-01
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
yIRGfNIUs.

cdr and society drama that performance
appealing TO tho intelleot IL provided our
amuso ment patronf, and so Manager Mo
CullnfA's production OF "Virgiuius" az
McCuliums theatre this week IS a rarity
which win doubtless be welcomed by
large aud Intelligent audiences. An
must RECOGNIZES the enterprise and liber-
ALLY of Manager McCnllum In making
this production, Il being the first attempt
10 present the legitimate drama that has
ever been made in this city during a
summer season. There was present al
MoCulium's theatre last night whit was
perhaps the most critical first night audi
ence that ever gathered TO witnsss
first performance. Thoss present last
evening were representative of the uul-
ture and intelligence of the city, who have
seen the great play of .'virginius" many
times end wers thus familiar with Its
Story and the manner In which 1t should
be pliyed and read. In the first scenes
was noticed an inclination toward oold-
ness ON the part of those pressn that
might have besn construed as q lack of
sympathy with the artists OF the COM
pany, but with their usual display OF tai
emit, quality Of this organization that
Is nov recognized by IN appreclatiss
public, the reserve of those who had
come 20 criticize was penetrated and ty
tho end of the first act the enthusinsm
that bad been restrained was spsns in
one Of the most enthusiastic curtain calls
OF the season, in which tho whole COM
\ pany shared, as was their due. 10 Man.
ager afoCulium is due the praise and
patronage of every lover of the drama In
its highest and noblest form In this city
aad to thu members CT his company
whose superb individual ard collective
performance win be the chief subject of
Contamination IN a community of Intel
iigens theatre goers by tomorrow morn
ing, should he accorded unstintei
praise. AS presented last night, '.rir-
ginius's can only be considered in the light
OF an Artistic triumph, entitled 20 receive
the patronage Of all classes Of amusement
lovers capable of discriminating between
the real merits OF so superb a production
as this and the ordinary theatrical farce
1t Is quite Impossible TO aid anything 60
,yhat we have already said Of the excel
Hee ind superiority OF the McCulluin
e<Fs1evsRased us last night
Iss ,as4slssnssaasaael ny previous produce
ton Tho performance Of "VirGinius," is
memory. something that one who sees Ii
oRn tn! NIX over and analyza. IL might le
said that 1t is a form Of food that Is bek c
Apr eciated alter a common dish set be-
fore us, and we venture to say that a
theatrical dish more suited to the tasteh
i. of local theatre patrons has never been
Fpred In this city during a snInper
m and never at any season at the cost
IS charged to see this splendid pro-
u
play can only be described by the al
lectlve, grand. Every srene was abso-
l.itsly appropriate TO the story, while the
costumes We're not only historically Ger
rect, but handsome ana picturesque. The
properties were also In harmony with the
other appointments, having peen secured
by Mr.. MsCullum in New York especially
for tie productions. he supernumsraries
were well drilled and seemed Eerfect
part OF the scenes that they assisted In
enacting. As was annQuncei, Stephen
Wright assumed the role Of Virsihius and
his impersonation was completes triumph.
The artistic and inteliigent interpreta-
ton given the character OF the noble Ro-
man father aroused the greatest admira-
ton and deserved criticism, and it will
lie out pleasure to give mora complete
analysis of his impersonation in another
issue. The Dsniasus of Mr.. A. II.
Stnart was thoroughly capable and ar
tistic Interpretation, as Was the Uoiveri-
torius OF j. Il. Armstrong, and Lucion of
Thomas Reynolds. Robert Wayne was
cast to excellent advantage In the role of
Appino ClaudiuR, and gave a splendid
performance of the difficult role, fairly
dividing the houors with Mr.. Wright.
Robert q liliant assumed the character CT
Icilins, and developed every possibility of
the role to the supreme satisfaction OF the
entire audience. Inc performance calls
for mole extended mention that will b.
accorded during the engagement. Bea-
trice Ingram unprecedented Virginia TO
the immense delight Of the entire andi-
ence. Her grace OF manner WAS oaptivRt-
Ing and her clear sympathetic voice
brought out the full richness of the dra-
matte sentiment Other characters de-
serve special mention but space forbids.
1t is superb production that we he srti-
ly commend to every amusement lover.
IT deserves crowded h0ute5 at every per.
fornancs for it is the most pralseworthy
production that has ever been given In
this city. Reserved seats are on sale at
Saryer's for the entire engagement, aud
report says that AN early application Is
necessary in order co obtain choice seats.
THE GEN.
Such plays as "EsInerslds," which the
Barrows Stock company presented at the
Gem theatre last evening, before an un
usually large Monday night audience, re-
feet credit on American play wright and
on the American stage. "EsHeraldR"
must te ranked with "Shsnandoab, -
''Seoret Service MEN and Women
''The Charity Ball." 'tHsid by the Enc
my" and others among the lest efforts
OF our native dramf tisIs. 1t is comedy
drama in four acts by William Giietts.
The story has seen outlined in the
thia time. Tt relates to the love affair vf
ksmeraida Rogers, young girl OF Mort b
Carolinr, in the lasin, though there are
Of course many other characters con
cerned in the plot aha first act IS laid
in the home OF the Rogsrs family in tho
WOODS OF the Carolilas. Here is told of
thu loves OF Esmeralaa and Dave Hardy
and the discovery Of the ore on the Rog