The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-08-16
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
"OLD JED RPOUTY i"

aJuracJlon at Inc Jeuersons Friday and
Saturday nights and Saturday matinee.
is not surface play, for Rich
ard Golden, in turning playwright,
turned poet, dropping his pummet-llne
deep into the hearts of the men and
women he has wrought The emotions
of the lowly folks he depicts. are deeper
than those of the oity-bred who, accus-
toned to school themselves, forget, in the
victories Of today, the disappointments Of
yesterday. But not so with the IowIy
tavern Keeper for to him, yesterday s
tragedy hovers as d cloud DER him and
his for today and for many days to come,
and it is only after many weary disap-
pointments that the familiar smiles
again chase across his honest countenance
as he behoIds the silver lining breaking
through, where the clouds seem darkest.
Ia "Old Jed Prouty,' Richard Golden
has given to the stage a character crea-
tion foreign to any that has ever been
presented before. a character so honest,
SO homely, so true, that the actor is for
gotten, and we seem TO hold converse
with the very man himself, aiding him
in his trials, sharing IN his sorrow, re-
Joicing IN his joys, and, as the curtain
drops on the play, feel as ii parting with
an old friend of years, instead of an ac-
qua1ntance Of few hours only.
THE GEM.
The pretty, smooth. even and artistic
performance of "Led Astray, :" on Mon
day night was the signal for a week of
excellent entertainment at the Gem
theatre, ami the public have shown their
appreciation by d go0dly attendance.
Presented as it is By the adequate cast
at the Gem, it pictures on old lesson in
new garb, beautifully refreshed by talent,
intellectual and dramatic instinct Lied
Astray" has never been given with such
smoothness in all its previous produc-
lions IN Portland, and IS worthy of It's
large audiences.
UNDERWOOD SPRING.
The new programme played by the Ia
dettes yesterday at Underwood was one
of their best. The Sousa march was IA
miliar, but welcome and was well rem
dered. The selections from ''The Belle
of New York were a very entertaining
part of the concert. But the brass quar-
tette was exceptionally fine, the cornet
and trombone parts being particularly
noticeable. Those who have not heard
this music should by all means go out
today, when it viii be given both after
noon and evening. The minstrels have
plenty of admirers, and there is no
denying that they do their part in a ca
pablo manner. IL IS not too much to say
that at least some of the jokes are new
and the singing Is as good as any of the
kind heard here this summer. During
the evening concert the electric fountain
is seen several times. The Fadettes
play during the dinner hour, their con-
cert in the Casino beginning at 10 pm.
McCULLUM'S THEATRE.
The secret of the success of MoCuIlum's
theatre this season has at last been dis
The following overheard on a
street car while returning from the
performance yesterday afternoon I
which, by the way, was one of the larg- |
est of the season, explains it. Two
young ladies were discussing the merits
of the production Of Hands Across the
Sea, the attraction this week, when one
propo unded the following: Why is a
person who visits AIcCullum's theatre
this week like the father Of new twinsf
After the dull one had made several
guesses, the bright one answered that
it was because ''both got twice as much
as they expected " That the above ap-
plies to all the productions offered at Nc
Cullum's theatre every patron Will adj
nit, although the performances OF
Hands Across the Sea- this week are
perhaps Lthe most interesting and enter
tanning of the season. Maud Edna Hall
and her brilliant portrayal of Lillian
Nelford is the subject Of much fatter-
ing comment among those who have seen
the play ana who are advising their
friends to do likewise. Robert Wayne, /
Thomas Reynolds, Lorle Eddinger,
Stephen Wright and Louis Morrison re-
ceived the most enthusiastic praise for
their splendid performances. The sale /
of seats for the balance of the week is re-
markably large. Next week the company
will appear in magnificent production |
of Shakespeare IS sublime tragedy "OtheI-
10, with Stephen Wright in the title
role.
THE FREMONT THEATRE co.
There is no more popular leading man
in this country today than J. g. G1lmour,
who Tor several season. was at Une CASTLE
Square, Boston. 1t was his popularity
that has made that theatre the family
theatre Of New England, Mr.. Gilmour
has been at the head of his own company
at the fremont theatre this summer and
perfect ovation the last night
of the season. 1t will be great treat
indeed for Portland people to see this
and we venture the prediction
that they Will be as popular here as in
Boston.
RIVHRTON PARK.
No attraction that has been sesn at
I2iverton park this season has given bet
ter satisfaction than the New Y ork Com
edy company whose entertainment this
week is marked by the utmost refine