The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1892-12-30
"Held by the Enemy"

Owing to the sudden illness of w.
&. Hankins, it was impossible to give
the play Monday night. But he was
all right Tuesday and Wednesday
and on the evening of both those days
| the play was given to large and de-
| lighted audiences. Everybody had
expected good work, because they had
heard the Dramatic Club before, but
| it is safe to say that even the most
sanguine expectations were exceeded.
1t is really surprising that young peO-
| pie who have never had any dramatic
training, most of whom have never
even seen any acting to speak of,
should be able to conceive so intelli-
gently and render so gracefully and
effectively, so difficult play as "Held
by the Enemy"
1t is a hard thing for amateurs to
play the part of lovers before home
audience and not get laughed at. But
that is what Mr.. Percy Harris and
Miss Eunice Jennings did. AS rule
when amateurs try to be pathetic they
are only ridiculous and the audience
laughs. But the pathetic scenes be-
tween Mr.. Harris and Miss Jennings
were really pathetic and the audience
the woman part of it, at least-shed
tears. That shows that they both did
uncOmmOnly well.
Everybody hated dudley Middle
ton" from the first scene to the last,
and that shows that Burr Conley, as o
heavy villain, is an artist. And ev-
erybOdy fell in love with "Pat O'Flar-
ity" the moment they set eyes on
him, and that shows that Burr Con-
l., 80, CO.. An In
ed that part, too. 1t isn't every man,
not even every printer, who could
play the accomplished villain and the
good natured Irish sentinel the same
evening and play both well.
The white wig and the Rip Van
Wrinkle beard made w. G. Hawkins
look sufficiently venerable to pass for
"Judge Carlyle" but the resemblance
ceased when he opened his mouth.
If Judge Carlyle had said "deODn"
like Will Hawkins does, his own son
would have hanged him for a Yankee.
Will Hawkins has never been outside
of Kansas, but he talks as if he had
never been outside of Vermont. Aside
from his Yankee tongue, however, he
carried the part excellently.
Earl Gillihan. as WhOle-lOt-Of-names
Carter, the reporter, brought down
the house whenever he made his ap-
pearsnce. The part suited him and
he suited the part and the result of
the combination was eminently pleas
ing to the audience. And all these
things are particularly true of his
partner, Miss Dott Harris. If the part
of Gay Carlyle had been tailor made
for her it could not have been more
perfect fit. The popularity of Miss
Harris is that every part she takes
seems to fit her just that way. That
is queer.
If the perfection of the actors art is
to submerge your own individuality
in the character you assume. then
Ray Duffy is perfection in the charac-
ter of "Uncle Joe." There was not
suggestion of Ray Duffy in looks,
word or gesture. 1t was all "Uncle
Joe". Higher praise cannot be given.
Mr.. Bert McNiel as edwin Car
lyle" and Miss Maggie Bedell as
"Kate Wilmath," did not have con-
spicuous parts, but the work they had
to do was very creditably done.
All in all the play was great sue
cess and the players have been over
whelmed with compliments and con-
CALCULATIONS.