The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-06-19
"THE CONGRESSMAN"
THE BEST FARCE COMEDY OF
THE SEASON, LAST NIGHT.
The Charlotte Dramatic Club Scored
An Unqualified Success--Fin'shed
Actors in a Fine Play.

send him to Washington with all us
temptations, and put him in Congress
he's in a darned tight place" solllo-
auized "The Congressman" as he re-
viewed his career.
From the time the Gentleman from
Texas appeared on the stage untd ms
Texas constituents called HIM seconu
Daniel Webster, from the rising OF the
curtain to the going down OF the same
there was not dull moment IN the
plav that held the boards at Metro
politan Hall last night. As the people
filed down the steps after the snow
one heard such expressions as BEST
thing of the season" lit was hne,
BEST amateur performance ever
saw"
And for once the high praise was
merited.
ssThe Congressman is a farce come
DIV on the order of N Texas Steer,
and is worthy of Hoyt at his best. The
scenes abound in ludicrous situations
and the lines are full of wit and
scintillating word-play, In Brander $
door-yard in Texas the play begins,
when the Conpressman-elect energies
into the glare of public life. The scene
tional CAPITAL. and the funny side OF
all that world of lobbyists and office
seekers and investigating constituents
and GLARE and glitter is unrolled.
w. Chase Adams as "The Congress
man." made decided hit.
Mrs. f. d. Sampson. the daughter of
the Congressman, was a charming fig
ure. and acted the part with grace and
consummate art.
Miss Sadie Hirshinger, the Congress
mans wife. and Miss Marie l.. Pegram,
as "Mrs. Major Campbell acted their
parts well. Miss Saida S. Jones. as
'.Dixie Style" the orphan from the
Palmetto State, was excellent.
But the most perfect bit of acting
seen here in many a day was Frank
Bowden's Interpretation of Christie
pher Columbus Fishback, Jr.," the
colored statesman. His recital of the
woes of the festive seeker after elusive
office was excellent, and he came to
the conclusion that Washington wa.
..des a graveyard for offis-seekers,
dat's ALL Few actors on the pro-
fessional stage present negro parts so
well. and so far as | have heard, not
one has more perfect dialect.
GRASSY GALL typical member of
the Third House." is well done by
Mr. Arledge, and j. j. Farnan makes
a very handsome and typical lover in
the role of Capt. Fairleigh Bright
The disturbing element of the play
that made the cup of fun run over were
the visiting statesmen from Texas
Maj. Yell, Col, Bragg and Col. Blow
From the time they struck the ''ante"
room until they were let dovn out Of
the back windows they kept the wheels
moving at a fast and furious rate. The
dinner scene in which the gentlemen
from Texas are the conspicuous guests
is as nproariously amusing as any
ting ever seen here.
I do not call this an excellent
amateur" performance. There is
nothing amateur about it. and the
actorAare artists who would grace the
professional stage. 1t is the best earce
comedy that has been TO Raleigh this
season.
The performance was for the benefit
of the Vance Memorial Fund. and
these. young people are giving their
time and talents to a cause that lies
near the heart of the State
This time Raleigh welcomed the
Charlotte Dramatic Club on account of
the cause it represents. Hereafter it
will receive hearty welcome for the
real dramatic talent of its accomplished
actors.
CAST OF CHARACTERS.
Maverick Brander, the Congressman,
w, Chase Adams
Capt. Fairleigh Bright, Z. S. A, J. r..
Farnan.
Maj. Yell, a Texas LAWYER and Lead
er of the Alliance, III. j. Hirshinger.
Col. Bragg, Faro Banker, member
of the Alliance, Dr. j. T. Carlton.
Col. Blow, Bar Keeper-member of
the Alliance, DR.. C. A. Bland.
Brassy Gall, Esq.,-member of the
Third House, r. f. Arledge.
Col. Pepper, retired army officer,
G. W. Perry
Lieut.. Green, Z. S. A., G. w. Perry.
Knott limit, Branders Secretary,
Willis E. Pegram.
Christopher Columbus Fishback, ir,
a statesman, Frank Bowden.
Anatole, valet, I. n. Service.
G. Whitaker Bellows, a Senator, r.
T.. Morse.
Green Woodhead, a judge, Jack AS
pen.
Press Button, an artist, f. I. Catch
UNI.
Crab, field hand, NJ f. Church.
Mink, field hand, G. o. West.
Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate, w.
NJ. Cote.
Mrs. Brander the Congressman's
wife, Miss Sadie J. Hirshinger.
Mrs. Major Campbell, Miss MAZE L.
Pegram.
Dixie Style, an orphan from South
Carolina, Miss Saba S. Jones.
Bossy, Brander's Pet, Mrs. i. d.
Sampson.
OHIO WILSON, JR., DEAD.