Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-11-27
The Color Guard.

The attendance on the performance Of this
magnificent drama, now on the boards at Granite
Hall, was large and most satisfactory on Thurs
day, Thanksgiving evening The play
runs with a smoothness and glibness under the
supervision of Manager Gum, that adds i'm
mensey to the interest Of play that is startling
in its reve lations of treason, and thrilling in its
development Of the spirit of true patriotism.
OF course Charlie Collins, as the Dutch recruit,
is incomparably "big." In his posture, dialect and
expression, he is "Dutchy" every time. and no
mistake. Perhaps the most laughabie position in
which he is placed, is when he is iloored by the
smart little newsboy, personated by Parker
Wilder. We think i. would be hard to bring to-
gether an amateur company in any town, who in
so short a time, with the immense cast, could have
presented the play more perfectly. The thirty
one pei sons who had speaking parts on the stage
all deserve credit, ard received generous applause
at the hands of the audience. Nils Minnie
Thomas, who took the principal lady part, that Of
Lucy johnson, exhibited the grace and natural
ness of true actress Her acting truly
meritorious. NJ iss Emma Thorne, as the smart
ingenious Abbie Smith, waiting fer her soldier
boy to come home from the army; Miss Isabel
French as the matter of fact "Aunt Jerusha, and
Miss Ida Cyphers as Alice Gray, all performed
their parts well. Mr.. s. w. Lane take, the lead
ing part among the amateurs, and upon lin de
ponds the interest of some Ct the most important
parts of the piece. lie was found equal to the
work committed to him. Mr.. w. Z. Donncll, and
Mr. John P. Brown both travel the boards with
the ease and familiarity of experienced actors.
We don't hink that scene in the mountains OF
Tennessee can be surpassed, where Mr.. l.. Il. Hill,
as Father Allen, n Union Refugee, entered into a
solemn compact with his co-patiiots to stand by
the old flag till death. This, with the scene where
Bob Mason, the Scout, is taken prisoner and about
to be hanged, are the most thrilling Of the play
II. e. Clement, representing a victim of Libby
Prison J. o. Smith, officer Of the day; Peter
Breen, as Long George; S. J. Gallagher, G. Z.
Mason, G. c. Emery and J. II. 1)olliver, a. the
Color Guard, Mason coming home from the wars
with one arm only; j. q. Webster, &. L. Cochrane
and A. l.. Smith as the old men CT the crowd
Cochrane slow to believe at first that there to
be war, but convinced finally by the enthusiastic
Smith were all well cup in their parts, and
showed excellent acting. We opine that Mr.. A.
l.. Brown, as Tom Flynn, will have to look into
his genealogy, for hereafter he will be counted a
real Irshman. Having entered into a contact
with the Bodwell Granite Company to get out a
sold iers' monument, suppose he will have to
abandon the printing business. Speaking of q
granite monument, leads us to make single re-
mark about Stone, {. o., who is a darkey Gear
through, sort of gentleman darkey, putting on
the backing only because he was in the color
guard. We have in a previous article alluded to
the beautiful tableaux.
In fact the interest of the play i. kept up fl ON
the time Of the raising Of recruits in the little
village till the Color Guard return after the war
with the banner tattered and torn aftcr many
fights Those who desire to see this interesting
play, and aid in the starting of funds to build a
soldiers monument, should attend the last perform
ance this evening.
Notwithstanding the drenching rain last eve
ming. there was fair attendance at the hall The
performances passed off splendidly.