The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-12
THE LOCAL STAGE.
Presentation of .'Thc lightning Rod
Agent" by Amateurs.

Agent by Amateurs.
The popularity OF Manager Ed Bergman
OF Sweeney & Coombs' opera house could
not have been more fully demonstrates
than by the size and quality OF the audi
ence which attended his benefit last night,
on which occasion the four-act farce THE
Lightning Rod Agent" was presented b.
cast of local amateurs. Besides being
large and fashionable, the audience was
extremely enthusiastic, and all of the good
points OF the production were warmly APP
plauded. On the whole, the reception ac-
corded the play, notwithstanding the dis
advantages under which 1t was presented,
was IN the nature OF a decided compn-
ment to MIR. Bergman and showed that the
theater- going public OF Houston Is by no
means unmindful OF the many favors re-
celved at his hands In this connection be
requests The Post to thank his many
friends for their patronage.
The Lightning Rod Agent" has been
seen here in the past and is by no means
novelty, but as presented last night II
mad the effect or pleasing all who saw IL.
inc Inconsistencies and unnatural situn-
sight OF entirely In the interest manifested
In the work OF the members of the ca-<,
several of whom made their debut on this
occasion. The main part was In the hands
Oh MI w. l.. Richards, whose former stage
experience enabled him to give a portrayal
OF the role which was at once amsing and
entertaining, Mr.. Robarda is the pos8essUr
OF considerable talent, and is capable OF
doing good work. Mr. John McCleary
gave an extremely amusing rendition of
the character OF Mrs. Long. his Original ae-
cent adding no little TO the effect OF his
work. Miss Bessie Hagerman was more
than usually effective as Florence Temple.
and her work was practically free from
the errors into which most amateurs uat-
mally fall Mrs. X. o. Patterson made a
very acceptable Ferrit Vaughn and Mr..
George II. Hervey as Harry Wakenold did
some good work, barring his tendency to-
ward mock tragedy. Mr. HerVeys natural
talent, If cultivated and developed proper
ly. VIII make him capable of better things.
Messrs. $. p. Garfield as Gilbert Temple
and WIN Rabb as Moody Vaughn A. NJ.
Downie in the dual role OF Lawyer Bruce
and David Temple, and VIII DeLacey as
the officer, handled their respective parts
satisfactorily The production was, every
thing considered. a good one and the mem
bers OF tho cast deserve credit TOR thor
efforts. Their work was not as good MS
that of some professionals VINO nave peen
seen on the local stage, but 1t was good
for amateurs, The complete cast WAS as
follows:
II. G. Hopper. ... Mr. willis l.. Richards
Harry Wakefield. Mr. G. Hancock Hervey
Gilbert Temple. Mir Samuel 7, Gatheid
Moody vaughn. .....-....,.,M r. VIII RopD
Lawyer Bruce David Temple.
... .,..........,M Mr.. a. NJ. Downie
Officer ...,..,.....,....M Mr.. WIN De Lacey
Mrs Long. .....,.,....,M Mr. John McCleary
Florence Temple, Miss Bessie Hagarnlap
Ferrit Vaughn. Mrs, r, - Patterson
Incidental to the action of the play M,
Richards sang If That's the Case | Want
to Join the Army" and "a True Virginia
Boy In manner which elected several
hearty encores, despite the fact that he
was not at all at his best. suffering at the
time from throat trouble. "Grogan's
Boy" was sung by Mr. McCleaIy III
his altogether inimitable manner. aud
MIR Downie contributed "A Son of
the Desert" Mr., r. l., De Ar
mond. whose good work has been fre-
quently commented on In The Post, Gang
a solo between the second and third acts.
The play was presented under the d.
reetion of Mr., Robards. who had charge
OF the rehearsals and all of the other
numerous details, He Is n hard and con-
scientious worker and deserves credit for
his efforts.