Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1877-04-14
Our Local Dramatic Talent.

Z, in Columbia Hall, on last Satur-
day evening" Interesting, not 50
much on ..cyuiint.uf the depth oi
the plays produced, OF the pathoa oi
tl.e acting, Il, The fact that ii was
given exclusively by resident anna
tcur performers, who make no claim
TO either the thorough tutclage or
opportunities for observation which
have been considered an essential
for success on the dramatic stage.
They are simply" Our Young Folks,
who have practiced for their own
improvement and gave public re-
hearsal for the entertainment and
amusement of their friends. Crit
ciSm is thus, Of course, disarmed;
but in this, as in all other of Life's
efforts, excellence being The goal
which Ambition keeps in view, per
hap, few we'll intended suGSes-
tons may not be out of place.
The piece selected for the opening
performance was "The Maid Of
Croisscy," charming little French
drama of two acts, in which full
scope is afforded for the display of
the varied emotions attending love,
duty. ambition, and that ovsrwhelm-
/ ing patriotism so peculiar to the vo-
| latilo people 1T represents. The
part Of Theresa, the fair maid OF
Croisscy, was assumed by Miss Joyce
Shelton, and very handsome but
exceedingly modest little mademoi-
sello she made. Her text was well
committed, and for an amateur and
u first performance, exceedingly
well rendered, although more vivac-
ity and considerable less regard fol
conventional properties, would have
materially improved the part. This
was especially observable at tho
close, when she discovers that the
gallant captain whom she loves, is
the true bearer of the cross, hel
pledge of fidelity when he bravel
the dangers of the field to release
her brother. Sergeant Austerlitz,
personated hy Mr.. W. l. G. Neate
was likewise exceedingly we'll rem
dored. and we have seen far poorel
acting. by professional performer
whose names were starred i'll tht
bills. He performed. the part o
the bluff old soldier to perfection
although We have seldom seen epau
lettes Worn by u non-commissloned
officer, and have always heard Tur
enne pronounced as if spelled Taran
When it was emphasized as an ex
clamation, it sounded very peculiar
as rhyming with green. " Francis,
the gallant soldier, found quite {
creditable, impersonator in Mr.. Jos
Chilberg, although the mistake made
by nearly the players was man
ifes.ing the slow and methodic tenn
permont of the Anslo-Saxon race
instead of the light and volatile ma
ture of the French people. 1t was
observed by some that while " Fran
els returned from the war a Cap
tain, covered with glory, having wor
the prize, he sported the star of {
BriSadicr-General, but probable this
like " French leave" or poetic Ii
cense" is justified by circumstances
The remaining characters of oval
ter" and Manette'' were very cred
itably sustained by Mr.. S. G. Wood
ruff and Mrs. Nettie Neate.
The song, cold Settler" the
lines of which were composed by
MIR. Francis Henry of this place
and adapted 70 that stirring old bal
lad Resin the Beau" was, as ON q
previous, occasion warmly applaud
ed. The piece fits Mr.. Ross O'Brien,
in his excellent makeup, to a T..
and it would have decided "run'
in other places besides Olympia.
| The farce Brother Bill and Me-
closed the evenings performance
We have but space to allude te
the parts briefly. Mr.. Chilberg as
Brother Bill" Mr.. Woodruff as
Ben Wiggles, Miss Woodruff as
Martha" and Mr.. Frost as "Simor
Squib" all did we'll, and Misses
Frost and Julia Shelton as Sera-
| phina and Nilhe1mipa Noodle oou1d