National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-05-13
JULIUS CESAR,
Successful Performance by the Lawrence
Barrett Club,

| There have been many amateur per-
foTmances in this city-n fact, there is no city of
| the same size that has more amateurs to the num-
| Der of its Juvenile population than Washington.
| We have amateurs in the drama and amateurs in
| opera; amateurs i'll art and amateurs i'll every
branch of science and literature. Our amateurs
| of the histriOnic pursuaSon have BEEN generally
| speaking, the least successful. The number of
amat eur dramatic clubs that have been organized
here, lived, and after brief existence .died and
gone to graves only marked by the memories of am
bilious attempts and unsuccessful efforts would be
very large. Some of the clubs still exist how
ever, and, while their performances have not al
ways been successful, their efforts deserve ell
couragcHent. OF the amateur organizations that
have existed, or still exist the following now
occur The Grover, the Forrest, the Joe Jefferson
the Blackstone, the John Mccullough, the ITALIAN,
and the Lawrence Barrett The last named is the
youngest of them all and gave its first public per-
fomance at the National Theatre last night The
object of the entertainment was to add to the Sea-
ton monument fund, and committee OF the Board
of School Trustees had charge of the
arrangements. Additional interest attached
to the attempts of the young gentlemen and
ladies who TEmpose the Lawrence Barrett
Dramatic Club from TIC fact that all were either
pupils or OK pupils of the puzzle schools The au-
dence a good one, and the lfbefTG!! and pro-
longed applause showed how large proportion
were friends of the performers. The play selected
was Shakspeare's tragedy OF julius Caesar" amost
ambitious undertaking for amateurs, for it is one
which few professional companies care to attempt
To say that the performance was good would be
but slight tribute to its excellence. 1t was GER
tainly the best amateur representation that has
ever been given in the city, and better, taken rs
an entirety, than some professional performances
that have been witnessed upon the same stage. The
long and constant practice that Miss NJ. K Schrei-
her. their instructor in clocution, had given them
bore fruit in the clear and distinct defamation
ofal the performers; and the fact that many of the
young men had sacrificed that hirsute adornment
dear to the adoescent of nineteen to twenty
his first moustache, so that they might the more
closely resemble Roman citizens, showed how
deep an interest they took in their parts They
did look noble Romans, for their costumes were
correct and appropriate, and their faces were ar
tistically made up by Emile Phillippi, whose
skill in that direction has always been utilized
not only by Amateurs but also by profess
SIGNALS who visit our city. The stage was under
the efficient direction of Mr. Thad. K Sailer and
every appointment as to property and scenery
was carefully attended. An amateur orchestra
under the leadership of Professor Robert c. Ber-
nays, furnished most excellent music
between the acts. While every mem
-
were some who exhibited decided dramatic ability
which, il foStered and and trained, will enable them
one day., ornament the hisrionic profession Noa-
bly, was this so in the case of Mr.. David C. Bangs
who rendered the part of Marc 1pt0ny with
an excellence and finish that deserves the
highest piaise. His readings both in the
market place and forum scenes were elegant
and forcefu and his acting effective as to bring
him before the curtain after each. The celebrated
address over the dead body of Caesar was delivered
with pathos, dignity and an intelligence that
evinced the most careful study and practice The
CdssiuS of 3-. Charles B. Hanford was most effect
lively performed. With clear, penetrating voice,
a fine stage presence, good knowledge
of stage business, and ease of manner,
this gentleman amply met the require
ments of this most difficult character, and fully
deserved the plenteOus applause that he received.
His death scene especially most artistically ex-
ecuted. Special mention may also be made of the
BrUtts of Clarence r. Rheem, who showed to cx-
cellent advantage in the quarrel scene; the CgSGr
of George A. Provost, Casca of Harry C. Robinson,
and Dccius off. T. Hawkins The ladies who par
ticipated in the play-MiSses Annie and Belle
Cavis and Jennie ThompsOn-proved themselves
good elocutionists and gracefully sustained their
several parts. The performance, it is believed,
could be successfully repeated, and it is to be
hoped that will be done.