Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-06-20

A Sketch Of the Lawrence Barrett DPas
matte Climb.

WHAT THE PUPILS OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
MATIC EEFECTAPLAYs PRESENTED AND WHO
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS FROM THE CLUB
TO THE LEGITIMATE STAGE.
Washington has probably greater amount
OF amateur talent than any other city of its size
In the country. This talent il varied, and has
foundopportunity to impress itself upon the pub
lie and force . recognition through the medium
of various organizations, both musical and dra-
matte. The former have presented operas of
various classes, from the light and pleasing
strains Of Sullivan up to the ponderous work of
ionnod; the latter have given every phase of
the drama, from an English farce up to the
these dramatic organizations the principal have
been the Shakespeare, the Grover, Joe Jeffer-
son, ITALIAN, Blackstone, Forrest, Mccullough,
THE LAWRENCE BARRETT
Although the last named was the youngest 1t
had during Its career Of nearly five years quite
an eventful history, and gave some Of the most
notable amateur performances ever presented
here: 1t had its origin in q peculiar manner,
ana most OF the members we're already asSo.
ciated together before the idea OF forming a
dramatic club was thought OF. When Mss
ton in the public schools In this city She Jnd
eialiy the formeS; there Was excellent material
lccted those who possessed the cearest and
most resonant voices and who showed the
greatest desire to learn how to read with power
ana eject and formed class, which met in the
Franklin school building hall once q week for
instruction and practice.
A PLAY DETERMINED UPON.
These weekly meetings became Il source Of
great pleasure, both to pupils and instructor,
the former making rapid progress in clear and
intelligent reading and recitation, and the lat
ter entering into the work Of teaching with
great ardor because her efforts met with such
responsive appreciation. After awhile discon-
nected selections for practice were Abandoned
and Shakespeares tragedy of"Jtlius Caesar
was taken up for study, this play atfording
tory and oratorcal effect OF any of the works Of
the great dranatist, besides furnishing the
means Of employing large number In its
graduated from the public schools, desiring to
avail themselves of Miss scLreiners instruc-
tion, Joined her class and became greatly inter
ested in the study of eIocution, and it was at
the suggestion of these graduates that the first
steps toward a public presentation of Julius
Caesar were taken.
the elocution class. especially Mr.. 3. g. Love
JOY, who rarely missed a meeting, and when
made, entered actively and heartily into the
scheme. 1t was decided to give this play for
the benefit of the seaton monument fund, and
the National theater was secured for the 18th
OF May, 1881. This being settled, the work of
rehearsal was entered into with new vigor
Then came the question Of stage business and
dramatic effect-how was that to be acquired?
Miss Schrener was an excellent teacher OF
elocution, but she had had no practical expe-
men in the class competent to direct the per-
formance. Miss Schreiner and Mr.. Lovejoy
finally went to Mr.. Thad. X. Sailer, whose OK
Perience aud ability were we'll known, submit
ted the matter to him, and he consented to
place the piece upon the stage for the proposed
performances. The name OF the Lawrence Bar
rett Dramatic club was selected and the work
Of preparation was actively begun Mr.. SaIler
found bis force so thoroughly schooled in the
comparatively easy with the principals, the
chief care being to repress the ardor OF 1.-The cit
izens,' who shouted with visor that would
have made Rome howl.
JULIUS CESAR PRESENTED.
The performance, which was given under the
auspices of q committee of the school trustees
finally took place, the cast being as follows:
Antony, David c. Bangs; Bru.us, Clarence B.
Rheem; Cuss.us, Charles b. Hanford; julius
Gssar George 4 P heS;s; ca,sa and oc!ar.as
Flynn; Dscius, j: 7. Hawkins; He.sltus aud Nm
darus, Philip 3. Miller; Csnnq and Fist Ntissn.
B: Milton; .Seruius, Albert Hall; lsoothsayer,
Charles 9. Pearce; Lucius, Miss Belle Cavis;
Portaa, Miss Annie Cavis Gnlphurnia, Miss Jen-
eighth grade schools, first Ave divisions. An
amateur orchestra, under the leadership OF Prof.
* c. Bernays, furnished the music
warmly praised, some of them showing such
gSsi;tive dramatic talent as to warrant the pre-
upon the regular stage, result which has
since been accomplished. The performance
was pronounced by old stagers to have been the
most successful amateur venture they had
ever witnessed, both us to general excellence
I'D the delivery of the text. and also as to the
harmonious and effective action of all the char
acters. A handsome sum was realized for the
monument fund.
After this the club was formally Differed by
the selection OF Mr. c. B, Hanford as actin,
manager, and Mr.. q. B. Rheem as business
manager. OF course but little was done during
the summer, but early In the fail 1t was decided
Their own benefit fhe ambton OF naTea io or
the young men had been fred by the kindly
19tices of their first attempt, and while they
felt that Julius Cesar should be again re-
peated, they wanted to give Shakespeare
another chance, and SO selected
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
as the second play for study and rehearsal. 1t
was found that educational theater could be Sc
cured for the I'd, Sd and 4th of March, 1882, as
the Mapleson opera company would occupy
only the first three nights OF that week, and SO
the house was engaged. An evidence Of the in
terest the school trustees took in the club is
came responsible for the rent Of the thealer
which was, of course much greater than the
young gentlemen of the club could afford to
ances should be even an improvement on the
first effort of the club and To that end the cos-
tunes tla were ordered Of Van Horn, ofPhiadel
IL
Edmund s. Rheem, the prompter, were, indie
iniisable In their efforts to perfect the cast and
members generally in their work. Julius Cse-
sar' was given on Thursday March I'd, and Sat
urday, March Attn, with the same cast as at its
f1rst representation, except that Mr.. James A.
played Julius Cesar and gained great
credit for his clear and distinct elOcution and
his dignified bearing.
THE Merchant of Venice" had two representa-
tions-one on Friday evening, and the other at
the Saturday matinee On one occasion Shy-
lock was sustained by Mr.. C. b. Hanford and on
the other by Mr.. d. c. Bangs, both these gentle
men doing remarkably well, and confirming
the good impression their initial efforts had
created. When hanford played the Jew Bangs
did Otd GobbO, and when Bangs took the lead
Ing character Hanord was the OId (1obb0
both gentlemen appearing on the bill Us :. Mon.
tague I1Se Two new people were introduced
In this piay-M1Ss Schreiner, who appeared as
I'ortia, and Mr.. Frank B. Noyes, who made his
with exceedingly good effect, showing the pos
session OF excellent ability as comedian. The
other characters were Bdss,,aio, Mr.C. b. Rheem:
-fntoniO, II. G. Robinson: Grati.:'o, s. R. Flynn:
Lorenzo, John I. Hawkins; DUKE and 7ubdi j.
A. Mahoney; Sdla'ino, 8. B. Milton; Salo,,io
George Ewood; Leonardo and Bai:hnsar, Otto
G. Eckstein; Nerissd, Miss .Anni,. CavtS: and
Jessica, Miss Belle Cavis. These performances
were very successful, both from II dramatic
standpoint and financially, and the club was
greatly encouraged.
THE NEXT APPEARANCE OF THE CLUB
was in May, 1882, when three performances
were given ~ the benefit of the Washington
Light Infantry corps, the plays being the same
that they had already presented. In "Julius
Mr.. William A. Lackey played Mare Antonv.
achieving an immediate success, and Misses
Hattie WoOdwOrth, Jennie THOMPSON and Raw
Lemon sustained the characters OF Portia Cul-