New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-02
SMITH '95 IN THE DRAMA.
ALMOST THE ORIGINAL CAST IN "A MID
SUMMER NIGHTS DREAM"

THE PERFORMANCES THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS
EVENING TO TAKE PLACE AT CAR
NEGIE HALL LYCECM.
The announcement that the Smith College class
OF IS has completed arrangements for the pres
entation Of "A Midsummer Nights Dream" in this
city has aroused the greatest interest among col
lege graduates in the Greater New-York as well as
among all persons attracted by amateur theatrical
performances. Smith '95' class Of unusual
enterprise and ability. but when, in its senior year.
II decided 10 present as its commencement dra-
MATES "A Midsummer Nights Dream" many pro-
tests entered by parents and professors, ex-
pressing the gravest doubts to the ability of the
girls 10 arrange for such an elaborate play and
put II successfully the stage.
Yet when commencement came and the play was
finally given its success phenomenal. and even
after the Northampton Academy of Music had been
twice crowded it's utmost capacity there was a
large demand for third presentation which would
not have been less generously attended than the
first two. had the arrangement of the graduation
festivities enabled the girls 20 give f..
II Is said that drama has ever before beer
given In New-York entirely by college girls. A year
ago some Of the leading members Of Smith 80 talked
OF giving their play in the city. but arrangements
could not be completed at that time. The second
attempt. begun nearly three months seems
likely to be eminently successful. and Carnegie
Ivceum at Seventh-ave. and Fifty seventh-st. has
been secured for this afternoon and evening. when
seventeen OF the eighteen original members OF the
cast will take their parts.
Miss Martha Wilson. of Chicago. has been unable
10 play Demetrius and Miss Winifred Ayres. 49,
will take her place. The most remarkable feature
Of the present undertaking is the way in which the
young women responded to the call and promised to
come to NewYork from great distances in many
cases. in order to take their parts. a series of re-
hearsals has been in progress. and. including the
time required for travelling and that given 10 the
rehearsals several Of the young women have been
obliged to devote nearly three weeks TO the work Of
preparing and presenting this play.
After the New-York presentations the drama will
he given in Boston the afternoon and evening of
Monday. January l. under the auspices Of the Bos-
ton Alumnae Association
The proceeds OF the four performances will be
added the Ninety five Trust Fund" and will
eventually be used for the benefit OF Smith College
The trust fund was started by the father o: a
member. who caused It 10 be known at commence
ment that he had laid the foundation for fund
bear the name o. the class. but Who has until
the present time kept his name Il secret. lie
has offered to contribui. 5000 10 the fund for
every s. 90 raised by the class This offer. natu-
rally enough gratefully received by the class
The printed announcements telling OF the plans
for the New-York appearances say that the plays
will be given FOR the benefit Of "A much-needed
academic building" This means that 49, when its
fund has attained the proper proportions. will
transfer the money TO the college treasury. whence
II will be paid out for the erection OF building for
general college purposes such a. Smith mas needed
and wanted for many years. Miss Etheyn Me
Kinney. OF Ttusve Penn. who plays the part o;
Lysander In the Dream" has assumed all financial
responsibility in the enterprise and has insured the
class against loss Without Arrangement OF this
kind there is little probability that the play would
The original performance OF 4 Midsummer
mended for is artistic merit. and s6akes2earian
scholars who saw it remarked fr'sly upon the
ards o, shakespearian study. Gerald Stanley Lee
writing OF ii in The Critic said:
Nth 1ictin iap With
that indehnable and convincing charm which only |
tse rar IRE, Woman can siys the spirit iSm OF her
play OF 900 years ago could have been made so /
translucent with a womanhood that void have |
been more OF dream TO Shakespeare than The
The young women say--not without pard,nsbie |
Rrdeathat in the preparation Of The play theyhsys
from Alfred Young OF New-York. who coa,hed |
ssss 'Il nef fsr % and who VIII AMIN
Boston performances. All arrangements for he |
Mrs. Albert Starr Best, formerly Miss Marjors |
Ayres Mrs. Best appears as Hernia In the play |
for the success OF the venture. and has had no
small amount OF labor to perform in getting the
settings used in the Northampton plays will be
c Chrongnt into service again this winter A few
ne choruses and the fairy trains but this can be
general excelience O, the performnnn pa r ,ne
Will be as follows:
rneseus' '.'.'............M Miss Florence NJ spaier
,tyeanosr MISS Etheyn Mckinney
Psms'riss Miss wlnisd Ayrss ss
Suinos Mabel Il Cummings fws
ute Miss Katherine McKim Garrison
Miss Bcssey Borden
Mis- Ethel f. EGcll
nlppoyia Miss Krlsilne Mann
I{csfl
Miss Annie Is Allsu
Miss Anna Parc
49,. Miss Pauline MARK
fr" Miss Isabelle Eggleon
The Nsw-York plays will be among the mos, |
aetasls seeissy ansira % the holiday season ana
~ b astsalsd BY many vsll,xaewn society ,sa4.