River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-04-01
The Band Rene fits.

The two plays given Friday and Sat
urday evenings for the benefit Of the
Amateur Band met with fairly good
patronage, and not only accomplished
the primary end in view, namely to
increase the uniform fund, but dis
played a certain degree of dramatic
excellence. OF the two plays the
Cashier was decidedly the better.
The Octoroon, in spite of its lively
action and the rather sparkling work
of few of the people in the cast, was
too confused and clumsy to leave
wholly favorable impression. Some
of the details were well carried out,
however, and the scenic effects, espec-
tally arranged for the play by Mr..
Pond and Mr.. Gilbertson, were a re-
freshing change from the much-used
drop curtains of the stage.
Pond, who has good stage pres
ence, acted the part of M'Closky with
force and spirit. Dodge as Salem
Scudder, was even more than usually
NACNGls anu iiClpNu hNCp thC lddANA*SS
in a good humor. In this he was sec
onded by Love as the chief darkey and
Charlie FarnsworJh as Weenee Paul.
Purves acted easily, as did also Miss
Eaton. The OctOroon, as represented
by Miss Foley, was pleasing, and very
sincere. Had it not been for the diff
ticult movements by large groups, the
acting Of these people and of two or
three others, would have kept the
play in easy progress. The large
number of lesser characters, indis-
pensable to certain scenes, made the
play, as we have said, somewhat con-
| fused; but the climax, admirably car
ried out by M'ClOsky and Wahnotee
| (CampbelD, under the illumination OF
the burning steamer, went far toward
redeeming the less successful scenes.
In the Cashier, of Saturday night,
the action was brisk and easy, and the
| dialogue, full of wit and clever puns,
was taken with zest by each of the
performers. The promise that the
cast was TO be select one, and that
the audience should have its ill OF
wholesome fun, was easily redeemed
The crowd that filled the Opera House
was in a good humOr throughout the
evening, Notwithstanding the fact
that the players, through an arrange
ment with the clerks, delayed the rise
of the curtain until after 900 o'clock.
Much genuine enjoyment was added
to the entertainment, besides, by the
piano selections played by Miss Free
man. who took the place of the ANA
teur Orchestra.
Here again, as in the OctorOon,
Pond and Dodge played the leading
Pond, as Pilgrim Boggs. did the tramp
in rollicking style, and the jim-iams
of Tony Terrell brought Dodge the
liveliest kind of applause. Miss
Dodge played the part of Winnie
Wilder with winsome wildnesS that
was consistent with the character and
very taking. She was prettily dressed
and well made up. Miss Thelander,
who made her second stage appear
ance in the Cashier, aroused a stir Of
enthusiasm when she appeared for the
first time. Her white gown, her mass
of light hair and her becoming make
up, took quick hold Of the spectators.
Campbell is always sincere, and, for
the most part, effective. Johnston,
though full of dramatic dash, is occa-
sionally affected and too obvious.
The character songs and the either
and guitar music by Gilbertson and
Dodge were pleasant features Of the
Cashier. The clerks, when they APP
peared about 900 o'clock, resplendent
in red neckties and walking sticks,
were the observed of'all observers.
Rasmussen carries a big line Of car
nets in stock