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An Excellent Performance

An Excellent Performance image
Parent Issue
Day
18
Month
December
Year
1896
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Wben the cortain rolled up at the Grand opera honse Monday nigbt, on tlie occasion of the presentation of Bartley Cainpbell's great comedy drama "Fate," it showed to the audiencs of between 300 and 400 people who had gathered to witnesa it, as pretty a stage setting as has been seen at the opera house in mauy a long day. It was the work of the ladiês of the Eastern Star under the direction of Mr. Charles Bishop, who coached and drilled the cast np to the excellent performauce they then gave. Beautiful mahogauy furniture, kindly loaued for the ociision by Martin Haller, handsome wolf robes, rngá, cnrtaius, portieres and bric-a-brac, loaned by private iudividmils all helped to add to the gracefalluess of the iuterior of "Rose Cotti.ge" and to the eujoymeut of the play. Tbe play itself was produced by a party of ladies and gentlemen of Anu Arbor, three of whom Messrs. Boyutou, Sirnods and Wage-, were stadents of tbe ü. of M. The cast was as follows : Harry Grantly Karl E. Harviman Uncle Burdette Walter Jioyntoti James Gordon Frank Kearney Mr. Jessup James Simou'ls tíTaSm:r:::::::::::í'Dáeo.wager Blanche Starllng: Miss Nona O'Hren Florence Srantly Mrs. Liznie Greenwood Sal. y Annie WaUdlu Hattie Switt-Sfiowerman Mary árnold Miss Nellie Mititrav Mórtlmer TheopUllus Muggs.. Charles Bishop Althongh, with the exception of Mr. Bishop, it was an amateurs' performance, it was one of the best that we have ever attended.. True it moved a trifle more slovvly than tbe finished professional performances do, but the amafeur actors kuew their lines and recited theru iutelligently and in ruany instancs acteñ quite spiriteilly in the reudition of their several charaoters. Karl E. Harriman's pluying of the part of Harry Grantly, was exceedingly good, but a cold frorn which he was sufferiug prevented bina from raising bis voice sufficiently to be heard clearly at all times. As Florence Grautly, Mrs. Greenwood did adrnirably. Her easy movemeuts on the fioor adding uot a little to tbe excellence of her performance. Miss Nona O'Brieu in the oharacter of the adventuress, Blanche Sterling, played her part strongly and well, her heartless aotions iu soine of the patbetio parts of the play showing that she tboroughjy appreciated wbat her part called for. Mrs. Hattie Switt Showermau made a meiry little soabrette in her oharacter of Sally Auu VVoggles and created lots of langhter in tbe passages betweeu herself, Mnggs and Joe Pluminer. Miss Nellie Mingay as Mary Arnold, made a sauoy maid servant aud played her small part perfectly. Mr. Boynton as Uncle. Bnrdette, was a remarkably self-possessed old uncle and created a good irnpression. Doane C. Wuger as Joey Plnrnruer, was a "fooi for your life" and created shrieks of langbter by his absurd autios. As Offlcer Catcbem he gave a capital irnpersoaatiou of an Irish policemau. Frank Kearney as James Qordon, the deeply wronged husbaud of Blauche Sterling, had a tryiug and difficult role to enact. Although it was his first appearance on a dramatic stage, apart from a little stiffness in his actious, he did riredit to himself and his instructor, and spoke his unes iu a olear, distinct vocie. Charles Bishop, to whose indoraitable perseverance and carefnl coachmg the success of the play was in agreat measnre due, needs no words of praiee from the 'Argus for his admirable presentation of the cbeeky, hungry, tricky tramp, Mortimer Tbeopbilus Muríís. His performance and makeup were alike finished studies. Wbeu it is taken into consideration that ouly ten days were devoted to the rehearsals for the play it will be acknowledged that "Fate" was put on in an exoeedingly cieditable mauuer. The performauce netted the Eastern Star chapter a little over $44. Tbe excellent orchestra musio botween the aots was procured through Mrs. D. M. Tyler.

Article

Subjects
Ann Arbor Argus
Old News