The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-06-27
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
rHE GEM THEATRE,

and hearty applause after each act The
story OF the Guv'nor has been told in
these columns and need not be repeated
much as 1t may deserve to be, for IL GER
tainly Is one OF the most pleasing come
dies that has been presented here for
many day. The Guv'nor has had many
productions, but none of them probably,
has been so excellent In every respect as
the present one. Not alone wac the cast
compose throughout OF players Of rec
ognized ability, bur all Of the many oppor-
unities for elaborate and realistic stage
pictures that the play affords were awaited
Of to the fullest extent One noticed
particularly the case that was taken and
tho detail entered into to produce the
proper effect in the interest of the old
boat builders shop. 1t was triumph of
the stage directors taste and skill.
Mr.. Barrows could not help being a
central figure in this splendid perform
ance. his impersonation of the old boat
builder being one OF the best ever seen
here. The writer saw 1t played by the
late William Warren OF Boston Museum
fame, anu Mr. Barrows's conception of
the part is exactly similar. 1t was
teautiful piece Of work and every one
should see him In the part OF Macclesfield.
The audience was in a roar while he
was on the stage.
Mr.. Eddinger was excellent as old But
terscotch. Miss Helen Tracy was seen
to advantage as Mrs. Butterseotch. Miss
Stone looked very sweet as Carrie. Mr..
Craig made a capital Freddy. His stam-
mer was perfect. The other parts were
all well taken, especially that of Gregory,
by Mr.. James Dixon. The Guv'nor. will
have great attendance this week, surs.
Matinees will be given every afternoon
this week except Monday. and every week
for the remainder of the season. Already
there Is great demand for seats for both
performances on the Fourth OF July |
Persons living out of town who intend
coming to see the great celebration at
Peaks island can see the outdoor attrac-
lions In the forenoon and attend the |
theatre in the afternoon or evening. |
Seats should be secured at once.
MCULLUM'S THEATRE.
The opening at McCulium's theatre this |
week is sufficiently varied to appeal to |
every class of theatre goers for it is a |
double header, mingling of thu roman
tic and the farcical. The curtain raiser |
is a charming comedietta by w. S. Gill |
bert, entitled Sweethearts. IL has sort |
of poetical atmosphere and in the first act |
introduces the ooquette who fairly |
fortunes her young lover who with love |
unsatistied leaves for India and after a |
lapse of thirty years returns to lind the |
former coquette still unmarried. His |
turn comes and with the air of cynical |
man of the world he keeps his former /
sweetheart on the anxious seat but of !
course in the end they become man and
wife, Miss Leigh as the coquette eaveIa
very intelligen6 and refined impersona-
zion and Stephen Wright charmed every
ane by his characterization be the lover.
His versatility was decidedly marked as
he Interpreted the two distinct phases of |
the character and he reached his usually |
high artistic standard. Mr.. Gpillard as
the gardner was capital and Beatrice
Ingram was good in subordinate role
Following Sweethearts'' came "Three
Hats, rollicking farce well calculated
to Danish the worst case of blues for it
is perfect tangle OF affairs produced ty
the mix up of hats in which fathers,
mothers and whole families become in
volved and it takes three acts to get the
matter Strengthened out to the satisfa..
ton of the partic ipants. The production
went smoothly considering that it was
the opening night. Mr.. MoCullum's
part fitted him like q glove and he took
advantage of every opportunity to bring
to the fore his dry humor and consum-
mate drollness. At times he was irresis-
tibly funny and kept the audience at the
top notch of good humor. Mr. Stuart's
make up was capital and he gave an ex-
celIeBt character study of the mildly
speaking, benevolent professor. L. NJ.
Reynolds in the role of Dibbs deserves
especial mention. There was "a snap
about him that was refreshing while
George Montserrat's contribution rs the
sacrificing friend of Sam Selroyn was
commendable. Stephen Wright as Cap.
tain katskiil was full of vim and energy
and met every requirement. of his part
Genevieve Reynolds in the leading fe-
male role was praiseworthy and Eher !
br light dialogue at times brought down
the house. The subordinate roles were !
all acceptably taken and the play was I
well received by large audience of en-.
thusiastic first nighters. "a coon song by
little Miss Tellefarro was a notable in.
cident of the evening. The bill will be
repeated at matinee and evening per-
formances of the week.
RIVERTON PARK.
The usual LANCE Monday audiences at
tended the performances at RiYerton
Park yesterday. aud the usual applause
and hearty laughter gave proof that the
entertainment was up to the high
standard maintained at this popular
resort. The grounds and numerous
beds of flowers looked the prettiest that
they have this season, the showers of Sat-
urday and yesterday proving most bene.