The Portland daily press., 1899-06-12
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
MoCuLLUMis TaEATRE.

The summer theatre season may be de-
olGred e. have formally begun. Saturday
night at MeCullum's theatre at Cape
Cottage the curtain went up for the first
time after many months. IL was nota-
bls event in more wats than one as IL
at once ushereu in the season of amuse-
ments and introduced the theatre going
puolio to one of the best balanced stock
companies which has been seen here.
The theatre has been newly dec
ur-tsd and equipped. Its bnre walls
lave been finely decorated, It's ceilings
ale now beautitiod with panelled steel in
snitable hues, its boxes have been hand
somely draped and furnished and the en-
tire theatre is brilliantly illuminated
with electric iights Therapproach TO the
theatre has also been improved upon and
all is on q far more elaborate scale than
WINS expected by the public
The audience last evening was about
as fashionable a gathering as ever Viewed
q production at the Cape theatre. Every
ssat was occupied, and the boxes were
crowded.
The production on Saturday evening
was "1he Charity Ball. one of David
Belasco's greatest successes. 1t was mag
niticently staged and exceedingly well
played. The four scenes of the piece were
very elaborate and were far better than
have ordinarily besn seen at a summer
theatre in Portland. Especially fine was
That of the rectur's study which followed.
Miss Beatrice Ingram, who played the
difficult part OF Bless Van Buren,, who,
tired Of dolls, is ready for beaux, was the
first OF the old fayorites to make her ap-
psarance. She was given very cordial
reception which showed palmer than any
thing else could have done that this
young lady has great many admirers
in Portland. She WINS the recipient of
several large and teautiful bouquets
during the evening. Mr. j. X. Arm
strong, whose portrayal of the faithful old
or2Anist scored for him another hit with
the theatrical patrons OF Portland, was
fatteringly received. Mir. Stephen Wright,
q great favorite last year, assumed a
most difficult role last night in which he
was warmly grestsd. But it was when
Mr. McCullum made his appearance as
Judge Knox thai the popularity of this
talented comedian, who has grown up
with the summer theatre business in this
city, and whose frisnds are mum bered by
the hundreds here, WAS shown. He was
loudly applAuded and cheered when he
maize his first entrance as the old-fash-
TONED, kind-hearted gentleman of the play
VINO has troubles OF his own. hut Is con-
stantly strengthening out other peoples
difficulties. Miss Lisle Leigh played the
part of Ann Cruger, one of the most low
able characters in this piece. She has
not been forgotten by her Portland ad-
mlrers ana Mnen sue came before the fooC-
lights for the first time this season her
arms were filled with bouquets from her
many friends here and she was applaud.
ed again and again.
kIVERTON PARK
visit TO beautiful RIverton park
where tiIe air is always cool aud refresh
ing and fr lgrapt with forest perfumes
affords the pleasure seeker unlimited
scope to induIge in the delights OF nAturs
and serves as AN inVigoraIing tonic TO the
mind occupied through the day with the
cares of business. 1t Is also the favorite
resort for ladies' anu children who seek
amusement and recreation on the after.
Moons when the heat OF tue city becomes
oppressive. The announcement that the
amusement season would open again
tomorrow afternoon and evening at Riy-
erton, gives universal satisfaction, and
amusement lovers are delighted to know
that tine favcrite Fadettes are again TO be
heard there. Three concerts will be q iven
daily as was the rule last year aud the
friends of these talented young ladies are
preparing to give them q oval greet ing
tais afternoon and evening. -
OPENING OF THE GEN. 80
Tonight will occur the opening OF