The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1898-08-25
"CAPTAIN DICK"
Two Splendid Performances Given by
Henderson TaIent-For the Benefit
Of the Daughters Of the Coufedercy
-Orchestra q feature of the Enter
tainments.


If any play has been better pre-
sented upon the stage at Burwell
Hall by amateurs than was Captain
Dick' last Friday and Tuesday even
ings, we do not now recall it.
To begin with the play itself is a
strong and pleasing one. 1t is a mil
itary drama of sterling character,
full of exciting situations and thrilling
climaxes, with streak of romance
and love running through the whole
plot. Then there is delightful comedy
and an undercurrent of mirth and
merriment enough to keep the
audience in constant laughter and
perpetual good spirits.
The performance was given under
the personal direction of the authors,
Messrs. Bertram and Willard. who
also appeared in the cast, which was
made up from the best local talent.
Each one had been selected with spe-
cial reference to his or her peculiar
fitness for the character essayed and
the ability to correctly interpret and
fittingly portray the same. And how
we'll they succeeded those who wit
messed the entertainment will cheer
fully testify to. The acting was adj
mirable, the scenery good, the music
splendid. 1t was brilliant success
throughout, highly creditable to
those who took part in it. ''Captain
Dick" is a thoroughly moral and
delightful play and charms and
pleases the audience.
OF the individual members Of the
cast it would be difficult to speak in
such terms of praise as they deserve.
Misses Charlotte Young, Bessie Shaw,
Blanch Thomas and Emma Freeborn
played their parts with charm of
manner, vivaciousness of spirit and
intelligence of understanding rarely
equaled by non professionals, and
were generously applauded and heart
lily encored.
Mr.. Brooks Parham made strong
and capable Captain Dick while
MIR. Robert Lassiter was the ideal
''Col. Stafford both in looks and
action. The "Lieutenant Bob Small
ley'' of Mr.. Basset Willard was fault
less Gas those who had seen him in
the same character before knew it
would beg, and the same may be said
of MIR. Eugene Bertram's portrayal
of Baron LIE MARITIME" Mr.. John
Hill Tucker surprised his friends by
his comedy part in the character of
Hans Gugleheimer." His work
could not we'll have been improved
upon. Mr.. Robert Powell's part as
"Mr Merritt was pleasingly done,
while the '.O'Flynn' of Mr.. Maurice
O'Neil lacked nothing in makeup or
acting in the production of this typi-
cal Irish character. The other parts
| were also well taken. Messrs. Frank
Rose, Fred Whitmore, Jack Phelps,
Walter Powell, William Horner, Will
Shaw, Charlie Harris, Herbert Draper
and Beaman Harris completed the
| cast-a strong and brilliant one-and
| essayed their roles in a manner cred
liable to themselves and pleasing to
the audience.
The following was the cast of char
acters:
Captain Dick, Mr.. Brooks Parham.
Lieut.. Bob Smalley, Mr.. Basset Willard.
| Col. Stafford, U.S.A., Mr.. Robt Lassiter.
Mr.. Merritt, Mr.. Robert Powell
| Baron LIE MARITIME, army contractor, Mr.
Eugene Bertram.
Hans Gugleheimer, army contractor, Mr..
J. Hill Tucker.
| O'Flynn, Mr.. Maurice O'Neil.
Leon Vespucci, a prisoner OF war, Mr..
Frank Rose.
Pete, Mr.. Fred Witmore.
Rastus, Mr.. Jack Phelps.
Gen. Mexia, Mexico, Mr.. Walter Powell.
Dan Wheeler, U a., Mr.. William Horner.
Billy Nulty, U.S.A., Mr.. Will Shaw.
Corporal, Mexican Army, Mr.. Chas. Harris.
Sergeant, Mexican Army, Mr.. H. A.
| Draper, Jr.
Kate Moreland, Miss Bessie Shaw.
Beatrice, Miss Charlotte Young.
Angie. a streak of American sunshine,
| Miss Blanch Thomas.
Samantha Gugleheimer, Miss Emma Free
| born.
Hannah, Mr.. Beaman Harris.
Detail from Vance Guards.
The performance of Friday even
ing was highly satisfactory although
the attendance was not as large as
it would have been had the weather
not been so unfavorable. Many per-
sons were kept from coming out on
account of the rain. But as it was
the receipts were between sixty and
seventy dollars. By special request
Captain Dick was repeated Tues
day night, at which time there was
one of the largest and most ap-
preciative audiences seen at Burwell
Hall in a long time. Many persons
who attended Friday night were the
first to be in their seats and the per-
Torrance lacked none of it's interest
and snap from the fact that they
had seen it before. The receipts
amounted to between ninety and one
hundred dollars.
The music was very enjoyable
feature of the entertainment, and
showed that in musical talent Hen.
derson has something to be proud Of
no less than the dramatic. The or.
chestra was gotten up by Mr.. Jake
Lehman and was composed of the fol
lowing: Jake Lehman. 1st violin
Walter Powell, End violin; W. X
Sturgis, End violin; Frank Church
End violin; Beaman Harris, guitar
Rob Davis, guitar; Ben Payne, guitar
John Horton, mandolin; Thad Cheat
ham, mandolin; j. w. White, cor
net; Ernest Cheatham, cornet; Billy
Plummer, piccolo; Nanny Lehman
clarionet; Benny Powell, violin cello
Horace Rowland, triangle.
The boys played we'll together and
furnished excellent music although
n they had had but little time for prac
tice before hand. The management
\ feel deeply grateful to these youns
e. gentlemen for their kindly assistance
/ and especially to MIR. Jake Lehman
I the organizer and leader are they
we'll as the audiences indebted.
! Miss Emma Averett was pianis
'Aand her playing contributed much t.
(kho Of tho Iarfarm AM