Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-07-11

An Honorable Record an Existence OF
sixteen Years.

THE sHAkESPEARE CLUE.
An HonorabIe Record IN Existence OF
Sixteen Years.
MORTAL HANDSOME PUBLIC AND PRIVATE
CONFERENCE.-The LONGEST CONTINUOUS
LIFE OF ANY CLUB IN THE DISTRICT.
Among the various dramatic organizations
of the District the Shakespeare club Is one OF
the Oldest and has perhaps enjoyed the longest
life. 1t was organized i'm the winter OF 1850
and is consequently now sixteen years old. Its
original purpose was TO study the works OF the
immortal bard for whom il was named, and IL
has held weekly meetings through all these
years Of existence during the winter season, at
which different plays have been read and
analysed. The plan was TO select first a play
and then to read one or two acts. the characters
having been assigned to different members.
After the reading other members would criii-
CHE the different renditions OF character, and
animated discussions a. to the proper interpre-
proved very beneficial To all the members. II
Is safe to say that no local organization has ever
contained SO many close students Of Shakes
1T HAD HIGHER AMBITION
from its very commencement than most organ
izations Of its kind. for public or private repre-
sensations or performances were not thought OF
in connection with the objects OF its formation.
1t was essentially reading club for careful and
ment Of its members i'm Shakespearian knowl-
edge. Naturally II attracted some of the bright
est amateur readers. and among It's most earn
est ana active members may be mentioned Mr..
E. B. Hay, w. C: Murdoch. James f.
forth. Fred a. Schmidt sa ). ". Pling. <. g.
Mills. Gen. Green b. Raum, Hon. George G..
Gorham, Joseph Tysso~ski, Gen. Marcus
members have been Miss Mary Steele, now
Mrs: A. q: Mills, Mrs. &. Z. Adams, Miss Annie
y. Ware. Miss Maud Raum, Mrs. J. w. Pilling,
MISS Annie Hartford, Mrs. Hort, Mrs. McCon-
nell, Miss Hattie Mcconnell, Miss Hyperion,
and Miss Amy Leavitt.
PERFORMANCES FOR CHARITY.
No charitable object ever appealed to the
Shakespeare for aid without meeting prompt
response, and, although mainly a reading club,
1t has given some notable performances, which
are remembered with great pleasure, and many
hundred dollars have been realized for worthy
objects as the result OF its efforts. Among these
House on November 10th, ISL for the benefit
OF the Epiphany Church Home, when sheridan
Knowles play of "The Hunchback" was pre-
Mary Steele; Helen, Miss Sarita Brady; Master
Walter, Mr.. Gurley; SIR Thomas CJirord, Mr.
John Tweedale; Modus, Mr. Edwards; Fathom,
tieman from Ireland" was also included in the
program, with Miss Annie Story as Agnes Go
Ger s;o Ms Brady Lucy g. gr Mr. Edwards
Mr. Foster, Hugh !Sdrd9e, and Mr.. steele, Charles
Clorer.
ribly I'm the south, the Shakespeares came for
ward promptly with an entertainment for the
benefit of the sufferers from that dread disease,
which realized about SiOO though given In
Willard hall The program included selections
by the Marine band, songs by Messrs. c. G.
Ever and $. q: Young. readings and recitations
by Miss Annie Ware. Mrs. Hosmer. Messrs.
Tweedale, Murdoch and Thomson; selections
from "Oliver Twist" with Mrs. Hort as Mrs.
Sorney, and Or. Dyrenforth as Bundle and the
farce ..Sinashington Colt" cast as follows: John
Tweedale in the title role; Mr.. Fletcher as
Trinerty Eluterso'ae; Mr.. Murdoch, Jonas Close
fest: Miss Ware as Mrs. Fmtesorae; Miss McCon-
nell, ClOrer, and Mrs Adams Neiiey.
COMPLIMENTARY ENTERTAINMENTS.
On January 18th, 1873, the Shai1espeares
gave complimentary entertainment at Ford's
opera house, at which a portion of the 4th act
OF Henry NIII.," scene from ''Coriolanus,'
and and ,,,, selections elton from Much Ado About
of Avon much better show than is usual at a
single performance. In the first piece Miss
admirably, Miss Cauldwell playing Patience:
Mr.. Murdoch, Grigfth; Mr.. Clokey, CDnfucius,
and Mr. Walk, GuiJord. Mr.. Tweedale made a
decided hit as Corioldsns displaying a dignity
and breadth of dramatic power which was
highly praised. In the comedy Ralph Jeffer-
son was the D9goerrg: Ed. Hay, Ierges; Ham
Borachio: Howard Nyman, Seacoat; Mr.. MUIR
dock, Oatcake, and Messrs. Newman and Clio
key, as the Watch. At the entertainment also
Messrs. Tweedae, Hay and Nyman, Misses
Mcconnell and Hort gave rccitations, and Mr.
Jefferson gave a burlesque of Macbeth" The
following month at another performance
Byrons three-act comedy, "War to the Knife"
was presented, with MessrS. Hay, Carusi,
Leach, Mrs. and Miss Mcconnell, Miss Pilling,
Miss Pearson and Miss Schmidt in the cast,
and Mr.. Tweedale gave a scene from the "Iron
Chest"
MANY PRIVATE PERFORMANCES
have been given at the houses OF members or
friends of the club, which have excited great
attention from the excellence Of the acting of
the members and the attractive character OF the
piays presented Among the presidents Of the
Shakespeare club may be named Hon. George
Z. GOrham. Dr. Chas. Warren, Messrs. John
Tweedale, Fred A. Schmidt Ralph jefferson,
W. &. Murdoch, +. b. Hay and A. j. Whitaker;
and the fact that this club has enjoyed a longer
continuous existence than any other similar
association in the District speaks volumes for
the interest manifested both by officers and
members. Although some OF its active menu
bers have left the city, new ones have taken up
the work where they LETT il, and enough of the
original stock still remains to maintain the
high standard that the club placed for itself at
the outset There is no reason why its future
triumphs should not exceed those of the past,
and a good record for next winter may be con-
hdently predicted.