The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-06-21
Music AND DRAMA.
M'CULLUM'S THEATRE.

There was very large and distinctively
representative Portland audience at Me-
Cuilum's theatre last evening. Only q
very few seats remained unoccupied, and
the laughter and applause that punctuated
the performance was strong endorse
ment to the clever players whose efforts
in the delightful comedy presented, "A
Gilded Fool" furnished an evening OF
rare entertainment. The most glowing
terms of praise WAS heard in admiration
of the beautiful stage sittings provided by
Manager McCullum. The third and
Aurth scenes were accorded liberal round
a applause and the efforts of the brilliant
company wcn four curtain calls after
Ohe third act. Mr.. Reynolds fairly out
Gene himself in the character of Chauncey
Short and his associates, inspired by the
plaudits Of the enthusiastic audiences
gave most finished performances in their
respective ps It's. The matinees ara largely
attended and the sale Of seats for Satur-
day afternoon Is already so barge that 1t
would be advisable for patrons who In
tend to witness this performance to en-
gage seats at the earliest convenience.
Large audiences are assured for the re-
L. -.ning evening performances, and Man
sger McCullum can confidently anticipate
q series Of brilliant and fashionable
gatherings. Next week 1.-The Lost
Paradise" will be presented with Mr..
McCullum, Robert Wayne and Bsatrice
Ingram In the cast. Reserved seats are
now on sale at Sawyer's store, Monument
square.
RIvERTON PARK.
Riverton Park presents gala day ap-
pearance these pleasant afternoons and
evenings 1t seems to be a most wonder
full spot. II 1t is hot In town 1t seems
sool and refreshing out in the theatre
among the pines, while If the atmosphere
seems to suggest top coats and jackets In
the city the air Is warm and comfortable.
and one wonders what the reason for 1t
is. 1t appears strange that this is 50, but
many people have remarked 1t and 1t
must be fact for large audiences have
been the rule since the opening of the sea-
son and although the weather apparently
has not been propitious for out door en-
tertainments no one has appeared uncom-
Portable at Riverton. The quality of the
entertainment presented there is Of the
kind that most amusement lovers would
chance catching a cold rather than miss,
and this, of course, counts for much in
accounting for the large audiences. The
Royal Hungarian Court Orchestra con-
tinues to render the most select concerts,
pleasing She general public quite as much
as the ausically informed. II. V. Fitz-
geratG IN his little comedy "A Country
Stors,r and Coakley and Huested are
making big hits. The other acts are
novel and pleasing and altogether make
nm first class entertainment. Perform
snces are given every afternoon and eve
ming.
THE GEM.
The dearth of good American dramas
BY American dramatists is only exceeded
by that greater scarcity of good, snappy.
sfferyesoent and brilliant farce, of which
there is no reputable builder.
Popular novels are at present tenn
porary relief and the manufacture of
plays from this source is as great as the
fad itself. What the stage has gained
through the novel 1t has lost in
the truly genuine American farce,
and as long as the present method re-
mains we must continue to borrow from
the French and the German for entertain
ment In that line.
Augustin DAILY was probably the first
to realize this. and the result of his In
Genious revision and adaptation OF the
German farce placed him Immediately at
the head of American managers as
painter of gay series of comedy pictures.
Nancy and Co., the attraction this week,
Is conceded to be one of the brightest OF
these pictures.