The Portland daily press., 1899-04-22
JAS. O. BARRowS.
well Known Actor 90 Manage Gem
Theatre.

Mr. James o. Barrows, an actor of
renown, is to manage the Gem Theatre
stock company 60 be seen this summer at
Peaks Island.
1t ia hardly necessary to INTRODUCES Mr..
Barrows as we take it for granted that
most people have seen his clever work,
or at least helrd of him. A brief sketch
of his successful career, however maybe
found interesting.
To describe the professional activities
of Mr.. Barrows 1t would be necessary TO
mention nearly all of the plays that make
up the repertoire of the modern theatre.
In great many plays and won
derful variety of parts he has won his
spurs in our country and abroad. ana
for years has been considered us "a neces-
sary figure in the American theatre. MI
Barrows Is character artist par exec i
lence He is even more than that. In
his time he hns pl iyed nearly every class
of parts in the drama.
His first appearance on the stage was
made at the Grand Opera House, oan
francisco in 1874. He essaysd the role
of second comedian and was an instan-
taneous hit. Soon after he changed to the
Baldwin Stock company ut the BALDWIN
theatre, that city, and won an enViaoie
Iosition on the stage without delay. he
lar ed with such artists as Jhmes y NELL,
Jeffrey Lewis. Lewis Morrison, the late
C. B. Bishop, and many others equally
d ointment. For three seasons MIR. bar
rows played ght iand eccentric comedy
Mr. Barrows came East about 1880. lie
had hardly set foot on New York soil be-
fore, Daniel Frohman had captured him
lie was Immediately engaged to play in
the stock company at the Madison Square
theatre, then managed by Mr.. Frohman
for the Mallory Brothers He was seen
to advantage in such plays as "Hazel
Kirke," 1.-The Young Mrs Winthrop"
"The Professor, A" in which latter piece he
starred the next season. which season
wasa most wonderful successfully one soon
after he joined Nine. Aimee, the French
Coincidence, and acted as her leading
support in English comedies, such as
"Divorcons," "Mamzelle. etc., and re-
manned with her one season In 's3 be
signed with Mr. Chas Frohman to create
the role of the Irish sergeant In "Shen-
andoah.'' His engagement with Mr.
Frohman was a noteworthy one for he
remained with him for number of
years, playing in many of his original
productions. He WAS seen to advantage
in Bsas,os successful drama 1.-The
r.. ., ,ha ro1a nFs Drtp -
Mr.. Barrows is peculiarly suited for
stock work. During the summers Of 1877
and 1928 he managed and controlled the
Columbia Theatre Stock company, cater
ing to Mashingt n society people, and his
undertaking was both financial and
artistic success, one which netted him a
neat sum. Last fall ne played special
engagement at the Castle Square theatre,
Boston, and it is needless TO say that he
ii Boston's own favorite. While in Bos
ton he appeared as the old boatman In
the Governor" as Brother John in the
comedy OF that name, owned by Mr. W.
II. Crine and several other pieces He
then signed last tall with VIM. A. Brady,
to create the role Of Squire Bartlett in
"Way Down East" but unfortunately
MIR. Chas. Frohman could not see his way
claar to release Mr.. Barrows as he was
greatly in demand in New York, and
M John Drew could not possibly get
along without him.
Mr.. Barrows is one OF the few actors
aud artists Of the theatre whose vogue is
international. for he is great favo its
in London as well as New York. FRS;
class audiences this country over are his
friends and admirers. Mr.. Barrows'
rangeis by no means restricted. His i'm
presentations run from grave to gay and
fran the pathetic TO the sccentricHlly
humorous. The Americ IN theatre is
proud to number him among its artists,
MIR. Barrows has spared no pains in
carefully selecting his company for the
Gem Stock, and it is n assured fact that
we really have theatrical treat in store
for us MIR. Barrows' acquaintance IN
the theatrical world is wide and distin-
guished The company, no doubt, will
do itself and its manager proud. list
of the memterg engaged will be an
nounced later. Light comedy successes
will form "a good part OF the BILL That
beautiful successful drama 1.-The Wife
will be the initial performance.
Mr. Barrows is playing an engagement
at the Manhattan theatre, New York
city, having created a strong comedy
part in MIR. Bradys latest farcical offer.
ing, The Manicure, which is adapte
from the FIR, nch. All the Metropolitan
critics are loud in their praise of the
WORK of MIR. Barrows.
Mr. Barrows is "a member OF several
prominent New York clubs, auch as the
Actors Order of triendshi p, the Actors
Society, The Lambs, Union League and