The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1885-01-31
THE DRAMA.
Oliver Twist At Odd Fellows Han-Exssl-

THE DRAMA.
Oliver Twist at Odd Fellows Han-Exssl-
lent Acting by a Company of Amateurs.
Oliver Twist, by the Elkton Amateur
| Dramatic Association at Odd Fellows
Hall Gu Wednesday and Thursday even
ings last, was the best thing of the season
in the amusement line in Elkton. 1t has
been but little more than month since
party of young people of this town
made mp their minds to organize dra-
| matte association, both for their own i'll
struction and amusement and the enter
tainment of the Elkton public. Consid-
cradle time elapsed before the scheme
was perfected and the first play selected,
and after such 4 short time for study and
rehearsal, the manner in which the play
was rendered shows that the members OF
the association not only possess talent in
this direction, but that they had given
their several parts careful and thorough
study. This was proven by the fact that
though it was their first public perform
ance not break occurred throughout
tho play. 1t is scarcely worth while to
give An outline Of the play. Almost
every reader Of English is familiar with
the writings Of Charles Dickens, and
have read the history Of the orphan boy
Oliver Twist, apprenticed to hard mas
ter and abused by the older apprentices;
elopes falls into the hands of thieves and
is taught their trade. by old Fagin, the
Jew, but who is finally rescued and taken
into the family of Mrs. Mann.
Master Robin Nelson, as Oliver Twist,
acted his part most admirably, showing
unusual talent for one Of his age. The
character Of Fagn, the a-aricious mis-
srly old jew, was as naturally as
life by Mr. Harry c. Hurn, whe undoubt
eddy possesses decided dramatic talent.
Mr.. E. F. Taggart, acted as Skies, did
fun Justice to the character. Mr.. John
S. Writ, as Mr.. Bsmble, was very funny,
and kept the audience in laugh all the
time he was on the stage, and in his in
terview with Mr.. Brownlow, in answer
to the advertisement for information of
Oliver Twist, he creates roar. Mr.. w.
M. Terrell, as Noah Claypele and Toby
Crackitt. fills both characters s1csllsntiy,
though be shows to the beat advantage
as Claypole, in this he created great
deal OF fun. Mr.. Brownlow, tho digni-
fed humane old gentleman who gets into
a mess in police court, and is taken for
book stealer, was excellcntly repre-
scented by Mr.. H. NJ. Mccullough. The
characters of Mr.. Grimwig and Charley
Bates, were both we'll sustained by Mr..
Richard Reese. Mr.. Rufus D. Bewland,
Artful Dodgsr, was about all that could
be wished. He filled the character most
thoroughly in every detail. Justice
Fang, who made Mr.. Brownlew the pros
ecutor the prisoner, got fee out of him,
and threatened to send him to Jail, was
a feature of the play, and was most sx-
cellently represented BY Mr.. George r.
Ash, who also took the part Of jailor.
The characters Of the Clerk and Monks,
were both we'll sustained by Robert E.
Strickland. Mr.. Nellum, the bookseller,
was represented by Mr.. E. l.. Painter,
who made all that could be out Of it.
Mr.. H. NJ. Nicols, Jr., filled the part Of
the easy going Policeman perfectly show
ing how those officials have a habit of
mover being about when they are wanted,
and Master Horace Smith as Barney"
filled tho part we'll.
o; the young ladies who took part in
the play, too much cannot be said Of the
able manner in which they rendered
their several parts, indeed much of their
actin. would do credit to many profes-
SIGNALS.
Miss Annie J. Smiths Nancy Skies"
was really reproduction of that char
acter. She a2tad naturally without en-
bsrrassment, evidently having studied
the part carefully. The same can be
said OF Miss Nettie McFarland's Mrs.
Cornsy" This young lady is as much
at ease and as natural behind the foot
lights as in the parlor. She made de-
ciGsd hit as Mrs Corney. Miss Lizzie
Hutton sustained a double part, taking
the characters of Rose Maybe and Mrs.
Mann and did full justice to both; she is
easy and collected and filled every detail
OF the parts. Miss Lizzie Merritt's Mrs.
Bedwin and Charlotte were up to the
average Of this others. This young lady
too is at ease and perfectly collected upon
the stage and acted the double part &C
cordingly She made all that possibly could
be mads out of the characters. She un-
doubtedly possesses, as do all the others,
dramatic talent which only needs prac-
tice to develop the finished artist.
In our limited space We have only been
abls to make passing notice of each char
aeter without detail. The play as a
whole was most s1cellently produced.
The scenery and costumes were just
what they should be, ths most of the
former being new. The greater part was
painted in New York; the prison scene
only being of home production. This
WAS painted by Mr.. II. G. Hurn and was
fully up to if not bstter than the New
York scenes The music was furnished
by Richie, Of Wilmington. 1t was ex-
cellant on the second night; on the first
the base violinist having the misfortune
to break his bow. The receipts finan-
cially will be something above expenses,
which wore heavy on account of SO much
new scenery being necessary. If in future
other plays are given, which we trust
may be the case, this item Of expense
will not be so heavy.
Perryville Items.
All business is at stand still here at
present except ths preparation for work
in tho spr;nr sSnp ~ tho waathcT