Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1899-02-01
The CHARITY BENEFIT.
The Weather and Other Things
Conspire to Keep The
Attendance Down.

Those who Attended see Very Delight
full Entertainment-Actin Which
Would Have hone Credit to Profess
sionals-Every one Pleased With The
Program-Details of The Entertain
ment.
The two plays given for the bene
fit of the charity organization last
night bv amateur talent were the
best that have ever been given here,
under similar circumstances.
Owing to the inclemency OF the
night and other matters of special
| interest, the audience was small, but
it was a very appreciative and en-
thusiastic one, and as we predicted,
one that was well repaid for attend
ing.
The lights were turned on pro
scenium and the overture begun
sharp on the hour of S:15, then the
curtain was rung up on sDream
Faces The parts were taken by
G. H. Patterson, O. G. White, Mrs.
Buck and Miss Dent.
The story hinges on the changes
effected in the life and character OF
an English rake, by his discovery of
a daughter who had long been lost
TO him, and the love and secret sup
port of a noble woman, who without
his knowledge, had secretly assisted
him for years
All this he discovers just as he is
obliged to leave England to avoid
punishment, and after he has at
tempted to extort money from the
woman whose life has been, though
unknown to him, devoted to his aid
and comfort.
1t is upon this simple plot, that
the foundation was laid for some of
the finest and most artistic acting
by Prof. Patterson and Mrs. Buck,
that has ever been seen on the Nor
gantown stage.
| Prof Patterson, as Robert, the
rake and Mrs. Buck, as Margaret,
The story in brief consists of the
artifes of s'W oodcocl who has seen
life for 90 years in London and who
marries the daughter of the widow
of a retired Lieutenant Colonel of
the English army at 'Stow on the
Wold'' in Glouscestershire, with the
intention of settling down into the
life of country gentleman for the
rest of his existence.
But the mother-in-law, daughter
and lady from London who is a
mutual friend, think differently
about it and they drag "Woodcock'
who has pretended that he knows
nothing at all of city life, into the
whirl of London society. Then be-
gins his "little game" to get back to
the country, which after many ridicu-
lous occurrences, ends successfully.
The play kept the audience in a
ripple of laughter from the time the
curtain was rung up until it rung
down on the last act.
The parts were well balanced, the
costuming was beautiful and the
acting worthy of professionals.
Prof. Patterson as "Woodcock"
was the storm centre Of the fun, and
scored hit after hit, easily placing
himself as the foremost actor of the
evening.
The part of the mother-in-law,
Mrs. Lieut.. Col. Carver, was imper
sonated by Mrs. Frazer, and she
scored one of the hits of the evening
Her work while overwhelmingly fun
ny, was very artistic and she gave
the audience laugh after laugh, as
she passed through her experiences
with "Woodcock
| Mrs. Buck as Mrs. Christopher
Larkings made the third of the trio
of laughmakers; and in every climax
proved her claim to be classed as far
above the average amateur.
! DIR. Mckenzie as David the valet,
butler, and all round man of Wood
cock" converted minor into a
leading part, and his every appear
ance was the signal for round of
applause.
Miss Dent as the bride of Wood
cock, filled her part charmingly and
artistically and ably filed the require
ments for blushing bride.
Miss Utt as ssSusan the maid show
ed dramatic talent and much ability
in minor part.
nj