The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-11-30
A H|STR|ON|C EVENT
lennyson's Princess Bril-
liantIy Played.
lwenty-six Students Of the Female College
Present the Word-Famed Classic to a
Ravshed Audience,


Louisburg, N. c., Nov. 29.-(Special.)-
TIVE nty-six students of the Louisburg Fee
male College, one of the Oldest and most
honored institutions of learning in the
State. presented in the opera house last
night ,Tennyson's world famed Princess.
The writer has seen many amateur per-
formances, but never one which in all re-
spects equalled this. Each of the caste
seemed veritably born for her role. and
so well did each sustain herself that dis
elimination is well nigh impossible.
Never before has the Loufsburg stage
been more resplendent with beauty en-
hapced by stage setting and costumes,
which would have graced the boards Of
far more pretentious theatre.
The costumes for those representing
the male characters were furnished by
Van Horn, of Philadelphia, but the regal
gear and glittering armor-gorgeous
though they were--did not outclass the
creations Of college genius, but blended
into harmonious picture of chivalric
splendor. Miss Rosalind Mason. of Har-
lowe, in the role of Prince exhibited a
rare degree of histrionic talent. Jewels
of Tennysonian thought came from her
LIPS with the force and power born only
OF the keenest appreciation of their mean
ing and beauty. So fully did she live in
her assumed character that each of her
spellbound audience felt while her rich
contralto voice lent itself to the strains
of Thy Sentinel am l." that such STRAIT
agem of love" would not be labor lost.
Miss Sally Perry, of Macon made an
ideal Princess. Good throughout the
play, there were times when she seemed
very queen of tragic beauty. Well
might the Prince say of her.
I'm you l found my boyish dream so
dazzled down and so o'ermastered that
except you Stay me here.
| can not cease to follow you as they
say.
The seal does music
The Prince was ably supported by
Misses Whitley, of Selma and Myrtice
Gardner, of Warrenton, in the guise of
his two friends, Cyril and FIorian
Miss Maggie Saunders. of Kittyhawk.
bore herself as Lady Blanche with all
the graceful dignity and uncompromising
defense of what she claimed her due as
though she had indeed lived to know the
bitterness of ingratitude after having lost
health, wealth and time. and talents
TO build up the fortunes of another
Lady Psyche, personated by Miss Mary
Malone, of Louisburg, and Miss Matte
Young. of Dunn. rs Melissa, share in the
honors that were thick about the college
girls.
And then there was tho bevy of stu
dents, best described by Tcnnyson him
self as
"A press
Of snowy shoulders, thick as herded ewes,
And rainbow robes. and gems and gemlike
eyes,
And gold and golden heads; they to and
fro
Fluctuated as flowers"
rroctors, too, with spear and battle-axe;
women of the huge women
hlowsed with health, and rain and labor"
heralds, messengers. and above all
Kings. for first to greet the audience high
on his regal throne of purple and silver,
sat the Princes royal sire (Miss Flora
Fox, of Siler City,, who in voice, physique
manner and gesture, was every inch tho
brave and warlike King in strong con-
trast to "old CANA" the father of the
Princess Miss Lucille Stancell, of Jack
SOM. whom he characterizes as
This spindling king,
This CANA swamped in lazy toler-
ance."
In chivalric championage of a sisters
claim, brothers will do we'll to emulate
the example of Prince Arac Miss Belle
Davis. of Arcola). and the twin brothers,
misses Bullock, of Ringwood and Coop
or. Of Hillardston).
In her solo Tears, Idle Tears" Miss
Viola Perrys voice, words and music
formed "consonant chords" of rarest mel
ody.
The almost breathless attention,
evinced throughout the play by the large
audience was by far the best applause
which could have been rendered.
The Just conception Of the authors
portrayed by these ladies in this
long, classic and difficult play was large
~ due to the labor and native talents Of
the pupils themselves, but would have
heen impossible, still without the skill
full training of Miss May Jones, herself
an alumna of this college, and their work
in the English classics under Mrs. S. T.
Bcckwth, who has occupied the Chair OF
English here for several years.
Under it's present management this
grand old institution is taking her right
full place once more in the front rank
of Southern schools. She is training the
taste of her daughters more and more
toward what is highest, purcst and best
in literature and in art,
"Siace to look on noble things
Makes noble through the sensuous Or
ganism, that which is higher"
Better not be at all than not be noble.'
We shall be glad to have another rem
dition of this classic drama whenever the
college girls elect.
Ought not to be Given Such Power.