The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1881-04-09
CINCINNATI NEWS.
HACKS HAPPY HITS.
Comments.

dramatic or literary society, but time ha
shown she can not MAINTAIN one. There
an abundance of talent, and there should
be an abundance, simply because of thu
high and plentiful facilities here for obtain
ing an education Yet it seems impossible
to club this talent, simply on account o
petty jealousies and internal disagreements
In consequence of this, very few persons
have had any dramatic training. Now and
then, young men and women Of the city
unite and render drama, but from lack o1
experience sre compelled to be satisfied
with doing only fairly well. Free
dom's Dawn" was rendered by q company
of young people, who being desirous of as
sisting Zion Church, agreed to do this. In
order to perfect themselves as much as pos
sble. Col. Harry Gilbert was employed to
train them. The majority of the players
were novices, but under the tutorage of
| Gilbert acted their parts exceedingly well.
| Charles Plumb as Col. Harry Estes did
very well indeed. His make up and walk
WAS quite military, and tho at times his
voice was weak, yet in general sense he
delivered his lines with good credit to him
self. 4. j. Siggs as Col Dunbar took the
whole house by storm Mr.. Riggs had the
villains part, and his deep resonant voice
| flexible enough to express moderate or great
passion, ably lifted him to his part. In the
scene where he persuades May to assist him
to capture Estes ne spoke his lines eloquently
and merited the hearty applause he received.
Mr.. Riggs is young man of ambitious
temperament, determined and resolute and
| possesses talents which distinguish him
easily from ordinary men. Mr.. Riggs is an
| orator naturally and has made several STIR
| ring political speeches in the city, and
| should he persist, we predict that he will
] be an able and eloquent rival to some of the
| Solons and Demosthenes of the rising col
ored generatson Miss Alice Crump as
| Helen spoke and acted exceedingly we'll
| for an amateur. Miss Matte De Coursey,
Of Chicago, is a new one but played May
| Bleakman with credit to herself. Lewis
Branch as General Corse delivered his lines
| in monotonous style, and it seemed impos-
| sible for him to get thro' without the aid of
prompter. Ben Hickman as Major Rhett,
of the Rebel Army, Ed. Berry as Captain
| Chase. u. 5. A., and Colonel Fourtelott, U.
s. A., did exceedingly well. Robbie Troy,
| as Pete, proved to be unusually precocious.
He not only was perfect in his lines, but de-
| livered them in such a nonchaiant style
| that he pleased everybody. Robbie is a
smart little fellow Gust like his Pa and
| deserves credit for his acting. John Fitz-
| hugh, as Uncle Ben, and G. 7. White as
| Seth Green, produced acres of laughter.
| John Fitzhugh possesses many natural tai
ents, and as Uncle Ben he displayed his
ability to play the old man with credit to
himself Mr.. George Burrill, as Samuel
| Cooley, Justice of the Peace, sang "Crowd-
ing Awfully," very creditably. In the clos
| ing tableau Miss Alvia Troy represented
the Goddess of Liberty, Miss Theresa Har-
ris, Justice, and Celina Harris, Fame. Dur
ing the evening John Fitzhugh sang "Log
| Cabin in the DELL" supported by the Excel
slor Quartette. Miss Alice Crump also sang
bon ie Blue Flag" and you'll Remem-
Der Me-" The new Excelsior Quartette sang
Cradles Empty, Baby's Gone" and several
other songs with unexampled sweetness. This
Quartette is but recently organized, and is
composed of T. Parent, George Barnett,
Tom Shipp and G. Smalls. The songs
which T. Parent and George Barnett lead
are very sweet, and when Shipp and Smalls,
with their splendid, deep, organ-toned bass,
join in, the very angels look down and
smile On Tuesday night, Miss Jennie
Bedford, by particular request, sang at you
love me- and captured the audience with
her exceedingly sweet voice and captivating
style. Mrs. Ann Baltimore accompanied
the singers on the piano, and did we'll, of
course. Judging froom the audience pres.
ent each night, we would Judge that the
Zion Church will receive quite snug sum
of money from these benefits. This band OF
young men and ladies deserve real credit
for rendering this drama and devoting the
proceeds to such reliable purpose.
PERFORMANCE OF FREEDOMS DAWN.
There were two interesting events las,
week; first, the election, and secondly, the
rendering of Freedoms Dawn at Robinson.
Opera House. The result of the first il
already too well known, and of the second
we would speak. Freedoms Dawn is the
title of the play, yet there is but little in the
piece which leads one to think of Freedom.
The center of the plot is, of course, love
affair, and is surrounded and entwineG
around by military scenes and incidents
and only in the last scene does any idea o
Freedom" appear, and that when q mag
nifcent tableau in honor of Abraham Lin
coin is given. The seat of the incident il
, in Georgia, near Atlanta, and the time wher
Sherman was fighting Hood and preparing
to make his famous " march to the sea-" il
, 1864 General Corse, of Sherman's division
had his army camped near the plantation
; of Col Dunbar, of the rebel army and hat
sent Col. Harry Estes and Capt. Chase, o
the u S. A.. out on a foraging expedition
to this plantation, but Col Estes ant
Captain Chase were 80 captivated b,
, Helen Dunbar, sister of Col. Dun
: Bar, that they had not the heart to take any
this, determines to 20 there himself, as for
r plantation, his force surround the house an
r surprise Colonel Dunbar md Major Rheti
C who were in the mansion. However, Heller
; the colonefs sister, hid them in a room, an
General Corse, and staff, are admitted
= General Oorse salutes Hele n and her friend
:. May Blackman, and states his purpose @
5 seizing forage, but is himself captivated b
II Helens pleasing looks and manners, an
finally orders his officers to seize only thos
things which are strictly necessary, and nc
to deIredate. Helen, being pleased at thi
requests General Corse to make himself 9
II home, brings wine, and sings several song
% for his entertainment. While singing tn
V last song, Colonel Harry Estes, hearing he
d voice, is attracted to the room, and, on see
's ing him, Helen advances and greets him
J. warmly, that General Corse sees at ont
ID they are lovers. General Corse and Colon
Estes leave the room, and as they do DuI
bar breaks from the room in which he hs
ID been concealed and fires at Colonel Este
re but is foiled by Helen who knocks his arm u
Z Angered by this, Col. Dunbar rushed Of