Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-05-01
"A Celebrated Case"

named production by the Homecoming
Thespian Club, about one year ago in
in that place, was written by COM
petent, though disinterested, auditor,
and appeared in the press at that time:
In these days when the world of amuse
ment is surfeited with theatrical productions
of various degrees of merit, it is refreshing to
the patrons and lovers of the play to witness
a presentation by non-professional actors
which is worthy of liberal patronage and en-
couragement. Let the author be ever so
talented and careful in the conception of his
subject and the dramatization be faultless in
plot and character, poor actors or careless and
indifferent impersonations of role are always
greatly offensive to the refined sense of the
lovers of the beautiful in the art. That the
theatre is not only source of amusement
but is also great educator. is without doubt;
and by theatre" | must be understood to
mean, not the cheap variety and burlesque
shows all too common now, but those pro-
auctions Of the playwright wherein the
genius of man in delineatng the character,
passions or emotions that control and sway
human action, is manifested, and which are
intended to point moral III an entertaining
manner. That the wholesome influence of
the best dramatic productions is recognized
by the church and clergy is indicated by the
encouragement given by leading ministers
and church people to the local societies or
ganized under their auspices for such enter
tainments.
To those who were privileged to witness
the rendition by the Homecoming Thespian
Club of "a Celebrated Case last Friday
evening no comment is necessary to prove
that the actors are very much above the
ordinary amateur, and indeed much better
than many of the so-called professional COM
panies on the road. The play is a beautiful
tragedy-drama treating of French military
life, with just enough romance to bring out
the strong underlying plot. The costumes
were dream of beauty and were correct in
detail to the period in which the scene is laid,
while the members of the cast entered into
the Interpretation ftheir parts with true con-
ception and effective dramatic rendering of
the lines.
Miss Mary j. Dixon's "Adrenne," an
emotional, and therefore difficult role, was
excellent, and indicated high order Of
other than an amateur stage Miss Mcbride
appeared to good advantage and showed a
true conception of the character assumed
Miss Jessie Robinson, as "Adrienne," the
little child was very fine, her talent being far
beyond her years. Miss Marie Hamilton
made an admirable "Chanoinnesse," and the
other ladies in the caste all did we'll. J. J..
Robinson as John Renaud,' the victim of
circumstances and the villalny of the Count
de Mornay," is a well-selected character,
interpreted in a very satisfactory manner.
Will Dixon, as the Duke d Anbeterre, per-
formed his part in q splendid manner, with
grace and dignity. L. Spier, as the Count
de Norway" played the role of the double
life of Schemer i'll a manner that denoted
talent, hard study and careful preparation.
The high comedy is left to Sergeant
O'Rourke," and abounds in ready wit and
the lines run through a channel of happy
situations and spicy dialogue Will Camp
BELLS "Raoul de Langley is handled with
creditable fidelity and precision. The entire
cast performed their respective parts in a
highly creditable manner.
Homecoming has reason to feel proud of her
talented young people.
Now is the Time.
The JOURNAL has long believed that
a sample of street paving (brick, y say
200 yards long, on some approximate
ly level thoroughfare in town, would
not only commend that system to the
people. but there would be rush
from those residing on eligible streets
to have their thoroughfares so paved.
This is brought to mind just now by
an experiment of paving two blocks
in Hagerstown, the result of which, it
is reported
has been to start a considerable move
ment to pave other streets in the same
manner.
According to figures of cost in that
city it would require about 81, 300 to
lay 600 feet on 30-foot street. Then,
according to Mayor Keedy-
it will last 20 years without repair
1t will not be feasible, of course, to
do all the paving at once, but yearly
instalments Of 200 yards for several
years would vastly improve the town
and eventually reduce the tax for
street improvement to minimana.
This is an excellent subject for the
Good Roads people to take up and
deal with practically at once.
Pleasant Affairs.
The item below came in too late for
publication last week:
Wednesday evening, Dist inst, the audi
ence in the Main street Baptist church repre-
sented every part Of town, nearly filling the
house. Some visitors to Frostburg were