Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-07-28
sODALITY-DRAMATIC.
The Amateurs Appear Before a
Crowded House.

n Amateurs Appea BEFORE q
Crowded House.
Last night the Sodality Dramatic AS
ISOLATION gave a most interesting enter
tainment at st. Peters Paroehial school
ON Washington street, in honor Of the
t~wenty-6lth anniversary Of the ordina-
ton of Rev. Fathers Kelly and Edelen.
The hall was crowded with ladies and
gentlemen who thoroughly enjoyed the
interesting entertainment. The ORA
matte Association owes its organization
and encouragement to Father Edelen,
who believes in eultivating those social
pleasures that are calculated to advance,
improve and instruct both the young and
the old, to whom pleasure is an absolute
necessity.
The association in its exhibition
last evening wa most successful in pre-
Senting an amateur entertainment which
would do credit to many professional
companies. Its members displayed a
dramatic talent which was a surprise to
theater.goers, and especially so to our
dramatic critic, whose weakness is to ap-
preciate a proper presentation of the
drama. This is hardly ever done by
amateur dramatic companies, and while
many imperfections as to grouping and
stage business were perceptible last
night, the performance as a whole re-
fected the greatest credit upon all con-
cerned. The opening piece was the
Spectre Bridegroom, a comedy or farce
Of no little merit, written by W. 7. Mon
Grief. The dramatis persona were as
follows: .
Mr.. NicOdemus. .....J. S. Smith
Squire Aldwinkle~ E.. Semmes
captain Fauntingto on ...-......."".. =. Carey
Dlck0Ty. j.. Sullivan
Paul"-"v.". ............."".".....M. +. Carter
MeDonald
MISS y. Barry
Layinia.. NJ. CordanO
Mr.. Smith, as Nicodemus," appeared
to no little advantage, he having a correct
conception Of the role. As esquire
Aldwinkle" Mr.. Semmes was very good,
considering the fact that it requires a
professional to play the part Of the "old
man" not only in makeup but in mar
ner. AS Captain Warrington Mr..
Carey did we'll, as did also Mr.. Sullivan,
as " Dickory." The hurried getting up
of the piece necessitated a considerable
amount of prompting, interpreted with
no little "gagging" or interpretations of
the text.
The ladies, especially, appeared to ad-
vantage, they having committed their
parts to memory and not requiring the
aid Of the prompter. AS "Georgiana,"
Miss Barry was spirited and good. She
displayed a remarkable amount of dra-
matte talent, a thing unusual among
amateurs, and consequently most pleas
ing to theater goers and critics. Miss
Mary Cordano, as "Lavinia,' gave a
pleasing rendition of the role, speaking
distinctly and effectively so as to be
heard throughout the building, a thing
most commendable in amateur perform
ances.
AT the close Of the piece a vocal trio,
from the opera Of the Bohemian Girl,
was well rendered by Miss Jennie Barry,
Mr.. 10 P. Carey aud Mr.. Andrew Bar
tabas.
The entertainment closed with a farce
entitled Benjamin Bobbins, the cast be-
ing as follows:
Mr.. Benjamin Bobbin. ...~..Joh j. Duffy
SQUIRE Greenheld.......-.-.......J0h ohm j. Barry
BOD hates."...".........m".Ge0rge j. Bedford
Otis Mcdonald
Mrs. Puncheen. ...-............ Miss NJ. Blessing
DOrOtny ",""".Mlss V, C0rdanO
A rafting farce is about the most diff
ficult performance to present on the
stage, and it takes professionals to carry
out all the minutia Of the dialogues.
Those who distinguished themselves
we're; Mr.. Duffy as Bobbin," Mr.. Bed.
ford as bob Ratles," Miss Blessing as
Mrs, Puncheon, aud Miss v. Cordano
us Dorothy" Miss Cordano played
the soubrette part remarkably we'll, and
with a sprightliness aud grace which we're
made still more effective by a pretty
face and figure.
The entertainment was highly appre-
ciated by the audience, who departed
homeward at q late hour.
|. 0. 0. F. basket and moonlight pic