Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1891-09-10
THE TWO OPENING NIGHTS.
Aberdeen's New Theatre Thrown Open
to the Public-Presentatio of Gill
lette's Held by the Enemy
A HANDSOME INTERIOR.

Maj. Gen H. g. Stamberg, Commander
U. S. forces. ...........W. w. Hart
Col. Chas. Prescott, 7th Mass. Vol.
.............. w. b. McGerry
1t. Gordon Haynes, officer Confder-
ate army ...........L l.. G. Martin
Brigade Surgeon Fielding w. B. Mack
Asst. Surgeon Halfway q. kinninson
Thomas Henry Bean, cor. for Leslie's
........... .CnaS. II. Green
Uncle Rufus, one OF the faithful 80.
-. e. Schofeld
Capt. Woodford .........W. w. Wall
First Orderly Leon Weatheiwax
Sentry. Notwithstanding f. A. Hart
Second Orderly. %. II. Turner
Euphemia, maiden lady of the South
Mrs. w. B. Mack
Rachael, the niece -. Miss Ada Sargent
susan McQuerry. Miss Alma Chapman
The opening OF the new Aberdeen
theatre occurred Friday evening, Septem-
Der 4th, with the presentation Of "Held
by the Enemy" by band Of ameteur
actors, well known Aberdeen people, as
shown by the above cast of characters.
The interior of the theatre was thorough
ly pleasant surprise, for the tasteful
decorations and well arranged auditorium
would be credit to town two or three
times the size of Aberdeen, and we
appreciate the enterprise and confidence
of the builders, Messrs. Duinpert &
Jassman, who builded more wisely than
we knew. The delicate tinting of the
plaster harmonizes we'll with the creamy
woodwork picked out with gold and
warmed by soft shade of tan color.
The boxes are prettily draped with
harmonious portiers, and the frame Of the
stage opening is simple design in gold,
steEciled on the tinted plaster, making
good effect. 1t would have been better,
however, if the door-ways just beneath
this frame had ben hung with less
sharply contrasted color than the deep
blue Of the curtains, but this is a detail
not detracting from the general impress
sion Of quiet harmonious coloring. The
electric lighting of the theatre is very
good, the little opalescent shades temper
ing the light pleasantly. One great adj
vantage Of electricity over gas being that
the fame of the footlights does not leap
up in the draughts above the shield and
dazzle the eyes Of all beholders.
The play was chosen and the characters
cast only about one week before the en-
tertainment was given. When in con-
nection with this, it is remembered that
only two of the actors had ever been in
play before, the difficulties that had to
be overcome may be family realized, and
that the play was entertaining is more
than any professional would have hoped
for. The choice of simpler play and
Que in which the melodrama had been
more lightened by comedy, would have
been better, but this might have barred
out the capital little piece Of acting of l..
G. Martin in his character OF a captured
spy, and no one who saw the play but
would feel this to be great loss.
1t is to be hoped that the giving of this
play will awaken an interest in private
theatricals that will result in series Of
good ameteur plays for Aberdeen during
the coming winter. With good drill
master and wise choice from the humid
reds Of pretty parlor plays which are
especially adapted to ameteur actors, a
good company could be formed from the
actors whose dramatic education has 80
we'll begun with "Held by the Enemy"
THE RAILROAD SITUATION.