Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-12-17

heavy as Lh1S one proved CO De. ho ac- cepted the task without fear and throughout all the weary weeks when sometimes many feared the task was beyond their efforts he was always there to lend a helping hand and keep up the courage of those who were about to falter. The result of this encouragement and instruction was ey- idenced last night at Polls theater when those present almost unanimous ly proclaimed by their applause that s'The Christian" as performed by Wa terbury amateurs was crowning suc- cess. That is the only reward di- rector expects and when it comes as it did last night he can feel that his ef- forts are thoroughly appeciated and his labor has not been in vain.
 Let Us first consider the ladies of the cast in their various characters. For the part of Glory Quayle, that part So ably conceived and presented so many times by Viola Allen, a lady who has been before the footlights in amateur productions several times be- fore was happily cast. Sadie Holly wood Riley has played many parts, but never has she been assigned po- sition i'll which she was giveh so ample an opportunity to display her dra- matic powers as was afforded her last night in the leading lady character of The Christian Whether in the roll licking. hoydenish character in the pre- Jude. the vivacious music hall song stress in act first, or the pathetic and at times tragic woman in the follow ing acts, she ably filled every require ment. It was a character which called for the best that is in any woman in q dramatic way, ana that was what was given to the people who were present last night. She certainly eclipsed any of her previous work and filled a role that many amateurs would hesi- tate to accept so difficult was that character of Glory Quayle.
 Another young lady who followed closely for the honors was Miss Jennie Burns in the character of Polly Love- Hers was a part at all times difficult to sustain and character at which many professionals have baked Yet It was given conception and a pre- sentation last evening that merited the continued appreciation it received. Miss Burns certainly added laurels to her reputation as very clever anna teur actess
 Mrs Callender in the care of Isabella Mullaney and Liza by Miss Mamie Waas were two more characters that helped the genuine success of tho pro- duction. Each had dialect roles and each sustained her character with ex- cellent satisfaction. The Misses A. k. Hamel as Bettie, Fannie Holden ns Nettie and Jennie Newell as Lettie each had her own little world to fill in the production and their work was commendable.
 Among the gentlemen there were many individual successes. but per haps the one that shone out more bril- liantly was the character of John storm as presented by r. s. Phelps. The advance notices had predicted Il surprise in this character and that surprise was forthcoming last night. Throughout the whole play his work, giving it even the most rigid criticism, was the best piece of amateur acting ever seen on the local stage. Not one blemish could be found in his concep- ton or presentation of the character. In stage presence. voice and action he was the ideal John Storm and 1t was no wonder that many who had seen the character so we'll enacted by professionals said after the perform ance of last evening that F. s. Phelps was an amateur in the strict sense of the word, but a professional by virA tue of his clever work.
 w. Fl. Benham. who directed the play, was also assigned the character of Horatio Drake, and the success that attended his efforts in instructing the cast was not lost in his presentation Of that character. It was a careful and. studied effort and reflected credit on the presenter.
 Another character which created one of the surprises of the evening was that of Lord Robert Ire as presented by Jack McKeever. It was as clever and clean bit of acting as any yet at tempted by an amateur and would put in the shade the work Of many alleged professionals. It was one of the gems of the whole production.
 l. W. Phelps in the dual characters of Lord Storm and The Faro King was called on to enact two widely di- vergent roles, but the choice had not been unwise and both characters re- ceived creditable presentation and were well conceived.
 Robert Mackie had the very difficult role of Father Lamplugh. character at all times hard to present and be suc- cessful. It was enacted faultlessly and in a studied and careful manner and reflected much credit on tho care and attention paid to the character.
 John Schwartz as Archdeacon Wealthy. Dave Miller as Parson Quayle, Tom Bernard as the Manager. ". H. Black as Brother Paul and Thomas Kahl as the Antiquary each had special roles to assume which callpa for avprv effort f0 mnl<q fhnns