Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-26
ORATORY AND EXPRESSION.

ORATORY AND EXPRESSION.
Commencement Exercises of the MARTIN
College at the National Theater.
An INTENDED AND wELL-ARRANGED PROGRAM
CAREFULLY AND INrELLloENTLY CARRIED
OCT BEFoRE A LARGE AND ENTHUSIASTIC
AUprxSCH-EvIpKNcEs OF DRAMATIC ABILITY
NAyUKsrHD By MANY.
The annual graduation exercises and COM
rencement Of the Martyr College Of Oratory
were held last night at the National Theater
The house was crowded with an audience tina,
was fattering in its effectiveness and demon
strative in its appreciation. The program was
repiete with novelties and the audience bois-
ferrous with applause. A wealth Of flowers was
lavished on the performers.
Despite the length Of the entertainment there
were few departures till the final curtain.
Everybody was interested and instructed. The
ability Of the pupils and their intelligent in
struction was the theme Of general comment.
The entertainment was amateur, but not anna
teurish
The first on the program was q series Of
gestures classed as preparatory, distributive;
doubles and parallels. These were rendered
young men and women.
THE sALurAroRY.
The Nlutatory was delivered by Mr.. J. O'C.
Roberts. His text was 1.-THE Duty Of the
Audience" He asked that the weak points
might be overlooked and the strong ones re-
warded. He spoke Of oratory one of the
ancient arts, rare, influential and universally
admired. Intelligence and application were
essential to the acquirement of the art Who
o.,I NJ pNbo hr,H hat ns1hx
they nigh. be witnessing the efforts of
some undeveloped Talmadge, Beecher, Spur
geon, Jefferson. Booth or Barrett.
Under the title of counterpoint the class ex-
ecuted movements under the classic Greek laws
Of absolute poise OF body during every chang
ing action Twenty-eight dramatic attitudes
we're presented. Each posture was accompanied
by some appropriate AIR. The attitudes were
double. that ia. were gestculation duets.
They represented: Hiding and Calling, Re-
spect and Welcome. Self Respect and Flxttery,
Sulkiness and Ridicule. Supplication and
Spurning, Abiect Humility and Arrogance,
Doubt and Explanation, Command $50 and
Remorse, Goodbye and Farewell, Attention
and Listening. Aiming and Looking. Merri-
ment and PHYSICAL Pain. Guilt and Condemn
ing Jealousy snd Love, Pondering and Be
seeding, Rejection and Weeping, Triumph and
Despair. Blessing aud Prayer. Companionship.
Shouting and Unpleasant Sounds, Obedience
and Silence. Contemplation and Avsrice, De-
ment. Abjeet Fear and threatening. Horror
AID Treachery, Wounded and Assault, Death
and BURIAL.
Mr.. VIM b Ehlen recitei "The Penalty Was
Paid" Il: was . sensational story Of an limo
cent man ccnvicte- OF murder by circumstan-
t-l evidence, executed, pronounced dead,
revived and escaped. He did it in q thrilling
way.
SILENT IMPRESSION.
Under silent expression the class executed
wonderful variety of gestures, illustrating
reading by Mr.. Roberts.
SALISBURY rabIeaux mouvants were given,
rep-ese nting Might" the trisi scene from the
Merchant Of Venice, Morning, Assassiua-
ton Of julius Cesar" Gypsy Circle, Death
Of Queen Elizabeth" 1.-The Mouse and the
Massacre Of the Huguenots."
Mr.. Frank I. Chapman gave the pantomime,
"Hov q Young Lady Dresses" with mirth-
making effect.
The Great Rockville Theatricals'' was pre-
sented in q fudicrous fashion. Mr.. VIM. R.
Blackboard rendered the 'Glory of the Flag"
With spirit and Miss Edna Reid Edgerly evoked
enthusiasm by her rendition Of "Childhood's
Confidence.
The little comedy ofssBaron Munchausen' was
eredisably produced with the following cast:
Baron N,sWchdusen, F. T. Chapman; Mrs
Small, Minnie Bird jerks; Mrs. Spoke. Eliza
beth Morris; Mrs. TaLter. Abbis johnson;
Mrs Quick, Minnie N. Clemons; Mrs. Slor,
Emile Compton
The ladies vented number Of topical hits at
pure milk, dirty streets and loafer-laden parks.
Miss May N. Clemens gave the ''Tell-sale
Heart" with dramatic fire and effect.
COMEDY sKIr.
ssThe Umbrella Scene" comedy skit was
produced by Miss NJ. Lulu West as Cissy and
Mn Vim. B. Ehlen as Algy.
Mr. Kingley Mcmillan recited "a Misguided
Elocutionist' and Miss Katye Garner enacted
the "Fashionable Lady at Church in q man
ner e1asseratedly true to life.
Tho Congo Merchant was creditably done
by Miss Sadie C. Robinson. and Miss Zue H.
Brockett played "A Fair Schemer" to perfec-
ton.
1.-THE Puzzled Husband was acted BY Mr..
Frank I. Chapman and Miss Elizabeth Morris.
"How Salvador Won was delightfully."- de-
claimed by Miss Minnie NJ. Clemons.
''The Paderewski Recital. " pathetic comedy,
was played by Miss Katye Garner as Madame
Won Nstrfch, Miss Sadie c. Robinson as Mrs
Moe Wdrddllisher, Miss Minnie NJ. Clemens
- Mrs. En- Was, Miss Alice B. Chapman as
Mrs.. Cy Nick, Mr.. @. A. Harbaugh as Peter
Von Justrich, and Mr.. Harry P. Wilkins as
Pddererski.
Miss Emile Compton did sour Folks
eleverly, Miss Sue H. Brockett rendered "Bird
Sketches" Miss Sadie C. Robinson recited
marble Dream" Mise Elizabeth Morris 1.-The
Chocolate Baby" and W. A. Edwards pro-
duced hilarious results with the pantomime Of
"Hov Q Married Man Puts Down Tight-fi.ting
Carpet"
Physical Culture was shown by Miss Fife
johnson, and the whole closed with the singing
Of "Old Lang Syne'' by the audience and
graduating class.
Many well-known society people occupied
the boxes last night, Mr.. Howland. Ed. Hay
and others having arranged box parties for
the occasion. With the distribution Of diplomas
on Monday evening the Martyr College will
terminate the present course of instruction.
Many bright and promising young pupils. who
have not vet overcome their timidity, refrained
from participation in last night entertainment
Among the promising talent brought before the
footlights last evening Mr.. Harry p. Wilkins, in
his characters of the tramp in us Tramps"
and the only Paderewski. deserves all the high
compliments bestowed upon him. He has un-
doubtedlv great future before him.
Miss Naive Garner, the charming young
lady who amused the audience by her exquisite
work ~ 1.-The fashionable lady in church" and
Mrs. Ton Justrich in the "Paderewski Re
cital," reflects great credit upon the college as
o signal proof how natural talent may be devel-
opec by proper training
Mr.. VIM. r. blackboard has all the elements in
him that go to make a fine and successful
orator.