The Portland daily press., 1899-07-21
MUSIC AND DRAMA.


John Lancaster Of the Burrows Stock
company at the Gem theatre, Is taking
q lot Of Guying from his friends like q
mnn. He has bad an unusual and I'M
sought for honor offered him, but intends
TO decline 1t. Lancaster was brought up
around theatre. having served In almost
every capacity, such as treasurer, press
agent and advertising agent, rrevioas to
his becoming player. Before he had
secured his summer engagements with
Mr.. Barrows's company he had nothing
in view and de.crmined to make an effort
to go with some circus as treasurer. lie
sent several letters Of application to the
p.opristors OF different cirouses, inoIud-
ing one 70 the Ringling Brothers. whose
headquarters a7o In Biraboo, Wis. This
letter instead OF going to one Ct the pro-
rIetors Ct the tented aggregation must
have gotten into the hands OF the head
stablemal, or the superintendent Of
horses. who delayed his answer until
few days ago. When MIR. Lancaster
stepped into the Peak. Island post Office
for hi mail on Tuesday morning he was
handle lettsr written on one of the
letter heads of the. Wisconsin circus men.
Hurriediy rerusing it he7was not little
astounded at re iding as follows.
s'Dear Slr-Yours at hand. II you can
drive an ei9ht.horse team, and keep sober
4 reckon l can TIA 1t. Wages are twenty
per month and grub.
Yours, etc.,,
I'll. b. Palmer
MIR. Lancaster says he regards the
'ikeeping sober as the easiest part of the
contract, but intends to decline the posi-
tion with thanks
RlyERToN PARK.
Nothing could describe the unique and
enhancing performances that is given by
J.W.Gorman's operstta company. to be,the
attraction at Riverton park for the week
OF July 9Th. than to say that it ia a
Kaleidoscope of the operas. That means
a review Of the operas that is ever chang
ing in form and color, and those terms.
form and color, cover great many
characteristics in music. The color does
not refer alone to the many changes of
gorgeous and appropri late costumes worn,
but to the great variety of characteristic
songs reproduced from the most popular
operas of the present and past decade.
The very cream of the musical numbers
of the greatest metropolitan successes in
both highland grand opera Is here served
with all the proper and delightful fxings.
But two more days in which to enjoy
tie performances by Germans Olympia
that has given the best satisfaction this
wesk, together with the concerts by the
Fadettes. and no lover of vaudeville should
miss this trent.
EcCULLUM'S THEATRE. !:
Kings Musketsers," at McCullum's
theatre Is equaliing the success achieved
last week, the audiences being as large as
the flr-t week and some performances
even larger. Last night the attendance
was excellent, there being several hun.
bred peolle from Deering who-availed
themselves OF the opportunity that was
presented them to witness this produc-
tion. "The Kings Musksteers'' is every
where conceded to be the beat production
ever given during summer season in
this city .and Manager McCuIlum receives
from ten to twenty letters every day from
prominent persons In the social and
business life Of the city who write only
to express the satisfaction the produc.
tions gives them, and to congratulate him
on his eminent success. The encourage,
ment thus received has determined the
enterprising and conscientious manager
% make number of regivals and pro-
auctions during the remainder Of the sea-
son, that besides being beautiful in ap-
pointinent, will givs the members of his
company the greatest opportunity to dis
play their superior talents. The first of
these revivals Will be given next week
when Bronson Towards celebrated come
dy drama, "The Bankers, Daughter. :"
viii be the bill. This play is one of the
most famous and successful in the cate
CORY of dramatic literature, and has hes II
the instrument used by many of the lead
ing actors EN- actresses of the decase to
achieve success. The story of the play is
one of great human interest. and its act