The Somerset reporter., 1897-02-25
Caste
A finished performance before a large
audience.

The Milburn Club scores another success
finished performance before a large
audience.
From the time it was announced sew
eral weeks since, that the Milbnrn club
had decided to present another play
this season, to the actual occurrence Of
the event, Friday evening last, great
deal of interest was manifested by the
many who enjoy a thoroughly good en-
tertainment of that sort, and when
Robertson's Caste" which is such a
favorite in large cities and played only
by the best actors, was decided upon,
that interest was greatly increased. All
who saw the "Octoroon" last winter
expected much from this seasons per-
Torrance. 1t is safe to say that none of
the large audience assembled in Coburn
hall were disappointed, unless it might
be happily SO.
Caste is up.to-date and bright; real
human nature in its various phases is
depicted; the grave and touches of the
pathetic are there, bat not over drawn
the wit is wholesome and there is plenty
of it, while the thrusts at some of the
weaknesses of mankind are keen and
well put
The story, briefly, is that Of two sis
tiers, Esther and Polly Eccles, who are
motherless and hampered with a weak,
good-for-nothing father, whose chief
aim in life is to visit nearby grog
shop, and whose talent is making
speeches upon the burdens thrust upon
Gus working men" The sisters have
employment in the theatre, where the
Hon. George D'Ahoy of aristocratic
birth, sees Esther, and case Of love
which deiies caste is developed. The
other characters are Capt. lIawtree, a
friend Of d Alroy; the Malquise de St.
Maur, his mother; Samuel Gerridge, a
plumber, Polly's lover; and Dixon, a
servant, played by II, G.. Graves. The
first act introduces the EccIes' humble
home at Stangate; the second, the
D'Alroy apartments, six months after
the marriage of George and Esther, the
unexpected appearance of tile Ma1quise,
and Georges departure for India with
his troop: the third, Esther's widow
hood and return to the home at Stan
gate, and at the final the return of
George, who escaped his eaptors and
death
Mrs. +. 0. Sawyer was charming,
sweet and womanly Esther Eeeles. Mrs
f. ". Allen played the part of the cap
tivating, impulsive, happy but some
what unconventional Polly Eeeles to
perfection. Mrs. r. b. Shepherd was a
properly dignified MaIquise de st. Maur,
who scorned to recognize any below the
arstocracy. Mr.. l.. A. Anderson could
scarcely have been improved upon in
his representation of the swell Capt.
IIawtree with his dudiSh drawl. Mr..
ThOs. Anderson was an inimitable Sam
uel Gerridge, who was also somewhat
unconventional but immensely enter
tanning. Mr.. James X. Frost played the
difficult role of "Papa' Eccles. This
was Il very important part and not well
done could easily have married the whole
performance. Mr.. Frost's characterize
ton OF it was capital in every way. Mr..
j. f. Duncan, of Boston, under whose
efficient direction the play was staged,
and to whose careful instruction belongs
much of the credit of the success at
tanned, was all that was expected or
could be desired in the part OF George
ID Alroy.
The play called for a good deal Of really
difficult acting, and the parts as whole
were remarkably well finished. There
was nothing crude or amateurish about
the performance and it is deserving of
the high praise which is heard on every
side.
Fine music for the occasion WAS rem
dered by kendall's orchestra.