Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-02-27
Damon and PYthiaS.

Ravenscrofts' Opera House to witnes
the 5-Act Drama, damon ant
Pythias."
Nor were the anticipations of tn,
large audience dashed by any failur,
on the part of the cast to render thu
pretty drama in thrilling style. AL
the parts and features were ''up to
date and the effort of each of the
cast to do his and her best resulted il
a most happy general effect.
DR.. j. C. Pfeiffer pei formed "Da
mons difficult part in "star" style
The redemption of his promise tc
"Pythias," beset by difficulties which
drew blood, was a climax which
brought great and deserved applause
Not far behind him in excellence oil
rendition was the part of "Pythlas,
by Owen Price. Against the protesta
tons and persuasions of his friends
he assembled the scaffold to suffer the
sentence which damon had in.
cured. Ii was a long, trying struggle
but Owen went through it we'll.
"Dionysius," personated by William
Nickel, is a character which draws
heavily upon the actors resources
The defamation of the tyrant and the
disguised test of "Pythias' fidelity
were each we'll done.
"Damocles," fellow Senator OF
Damon-John H. Dunstan ;"Procles. y
aptaln--George Armstrong: and
"Philistlus," president of the Senate
Joseph Bear. are characters essen
tial to the plot, and the more salts.
factory if they furnish competent sup
port to the leading roles. So excellent
was the respective performance in
each of these instances that praise of
one includes all.
The funniest feature of the play was
Harry Odgels' PRESERVATION as "Lu-
cullus," Damon's faithful slave. In
terested in OBTAINING his master, he
tlourishes knife with show of cour-
age which quickly changes to Gnaking
fear when Damon's frenzy vents itself.
"Lucullus" clings to the last to his
master and they went off the stage
under hurrah of applause.
Mrs. William Nickel as "Calanthe,' y
Pythias' bride, and Miss Annie Eng
land as "Hermion," Damon's wife,
each very sweetly and effectively es-
sayed those touching parts. The voice
of feminine devotion put against the
impulses of masculine friendship insti-
tuted Il terrific struggle between the
opposing interests of the ladies, and
it was a most happy denouement which
brought success to both.
Miss Agnes Shaw and Masters Roland
and Leslie Lammert played we'll the
subordinate characters of "Arria,' -
''child of Damon and servant of
Pythias.'
The list below of soldiers, senators,
ETC., completes the cast
Walter Odgers, Charles Mcfarland,
William England, owen England,
Thomas J. Spier, Thomas Bath,
Thomas Hill Daniel Porter,
George Hill, David Phillips,
James Lloyd, Jacob Elsel
The closing tableau was brilliant
illustration of Greciau costume and
figure, and when the curtain fell upon
this 1t signalized the finale of one of the
best performances ever given in this
place by local talent.
The intermissions were filled by the
Mountain City Orchestra, Prof. George
N. Beall, director. The selections
were appropropriate and, of course,
finely rendered.
All accord Peter Lammert. man
ager, full credit for the excellence of
the performance and success of the
occasion. He did we'll, and, could he
have been an autocrat, he might have
been able to Kindergarten" the ges-
ture business little and prolong sew
eral instances of agony that were too
quickly and easily survived with
profit to the actors. These. how
ever, are hardly faults in those who
60 seldom on the stage. They are
crudities to be polished off by training
and experience.
The beautiful axe was made by Will
liam Nickel, and the no less striking
prison and terrace scenery by him and
manager Lammert.
Owen England makes a tierce.looking
executioner, and several times he spun
the bright bladed axe around in sight
of Pythias as if impatient for revival
of business prosperity.
A mandate of the manager compelled
Pythias, Dionysius, Damocles, Procles,
Philistius and the executioner to part
with their moustaches. In genuine
sorrow this sacrifice was made, and
Philistius complains that on that self
same night he also los. his dog.
Suggestion.
Unusual care should be taken this
spring to secure a strong Council.
There are bigger interests at stake