The Portland daily press., 1899-08-30
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
THE GEM THEA TIRE.

"Ihe Gilded Age'' was played to two
good houses yesterday. The play has not
been produced here for several years. but
it has lost nothing on that account as 1t
is far better than most of the later day
productions. The scenes are laid in old
Tennessee and the plot is absorbing in
interest from start TO finish. While it
is comedy pure and simple there sare
times when 1t has touch Of melodrama
just enough TO keep the audience inter
ested all the way through. Ths oharac-
ter OF Col. Mulberry sellers Ia one of
Mark Twain's very bsst. He is very
much in evidence all through the piece.
One of the foremost sosnesEis where he
invites Clay Hawkins to dinner.
RIVERTON PARK.
There is comedy In great abundance at
Riverton Park where J. W. Germans
Cosmopolitans are. playing their annual
engagement this week. The company is
larger and better than ever this week, in
fact, it is one of the very best seen this
season, many patrons being of the opin-
ion that in merit it compares with any
that Manager German has ever sent TO
Portland. Every speciality on the bill is
novelty and eatirely different from any
previously seen here. The ventriloquial
act given by Prof. Vernon, is strictly
first class and highly amusing. 1t is
totally devoid of the steroty pad jokes and
songs used so long that this style of act
has become monotopous. This artist
gives 20 minutes of entertainment that Is
decidedly original, and one of his figures
made to represent foolish boy, further
afflicted with suffering speech, is most
lRughable. The old lady singing a song.
assisted in the chorus by the two boys, is
capital trick In ventriloquism and gen.
orally wins an encore 10 see this act
would be great treat to the children.
Other features are the acrobatio perform
ance of "LRyo," the clever novelty sketch
given by the Carrons; the humorous mu-
steal act of DeVeaux and DeVeaux, and
Harry Donlon, the boy soprano. The
Fadettes give brilliant musical concert
previous 80 each vaudeville entertain
ment. The attendance yesterday was
unusually large.
McCULLUM'S THEATRE.
This is the last week of the season at
McCullum's theatre, and 1t is destined to
be q famous one. The best attraction
that Manager McCullum has offered this
season, is being presented, aud the atten-
dance started right in yesterday at a rec
ord. breaking number. The play pres emit
ed is Gillette's famous drama "Held By
the Enemy" that Is considered among
the most successful plays on the stage to-
day. 1t abounds in thrilling olimaxes
and intensely dramatic situations. Miss
Leigh has a very strong part and Mr..
Wayne, Mr.. Wright aud MIR. Gaillard
have not had better roles this. season.
Miss Ingram and Mir. Reynolds are es-
pocially clever this week, Mr.. Reynolds
playing the part that William Gillette
wrote especially for himself and the one
he always assumed. The stage settings
are magnificent, tho third act, represent
ing the Generals headquarters In the
same building where prisoners are kept,
and that Is struck by a shell during the
bombardment of the city, is one of the
most elaborate stage settings and effects
that has empellished any play Manager
McCulium has aver produced. The ap-
plause ia frequent and tumultous during
the entire performance. There is the