The Republican journal., 1904-04-28
THE SENIOR CLASS PLAY.

"a Rival by Request" a comedy in three
acts given by the Senior class of the Belfast
High school at Memorial hall, April 2ond,
was largely attended. The various parts
were well taken and the general verdict
is that it was a success dramatically, social
ly and financially. The hall was so crowd
ed that there was literally not standing
room, and many were turned away from
the door after vain efforts to enter. The
program began with a we'll rendered selec-
tion by keyes' Orchestra, and shortly after
eight the curtain rose and disclosed the
apartments of Walter Pierson, a young
bachelor, who is in great trouble, being en-
gagged to two young ladies at the same time.
This part was very we'll taken by Clarence
Wight, who made an admirable "young
gentleman about town" Mr.. Holmes as
Winthrop Smythe, friend of Pierson, was
very charming with his beautiful black
moustache and travelling bag, while Harold
Shorey as Alexander Muggins, his valet,
who is supposed by Person to be
Lord McMullin, made a very decided
hit. With his long tailed coat, white
vest and red neck-tie, he was noticeable.
not to say gorgeous. His soliloquy, in
which he wondered if Persons clothes
would tit him. was very laughable bit of
acting. Mr.. Leavitt as benjamin Briggs, a
retired farmer, wore one of the greatest
aggregations of noisy clothes ever seen on
the stage, and with his chin whiskers and
debonaire behavior was a great favorte
The part of Lord MeMullin was very aptly
taken by Henry Brown, who, with his
dropping moustache, eye glass and general
aristocratic appearance, looked every inch
lord. In the middle of the second act an
apparition came into view, consisting
mostly OF side whiSkerS and Prince Albert
coat. This proved to be Mr.. Doak as
Robert Burnett, a retired business man,
who is looking for revenge on his wife,
which, by the way, he got with a VEN
geance. The appearance of Burnett and
Briggs after night behind the scenes pro-
voked much merriment. Having disposed
OF the young gentlemen we will now turn
to the ladies. We fear our vocabulary will
be inadequate, but we will do our best.
Miss Hatch was simply charming as Miss
'"A AN sess eA'N AiSA Was way Va sd luS Oh
would do credit to Lillian Russell The
character of Eliza Briggs was very diff
cult one and Miss Brown is to be congratu-
lated on the remarkably fine way in which
she rendered it. She was, as she said of
Lord McMullin, "simply fascinating" Miss
Bucklin as Mrs. Briggs. "a woman born to
reign, was very effective, and in contrast
to her, Miss Heal, as Mrs. Burnett, was the
exact opposite. Mrs. Chatterton, a prying
landlady, was well represented by Miss
kimball who with her white apron was
the traditional person whom the joke books
credit with serving pruneS three times
day. Miss Quimby rendered vocal selec-
tion with her usual success between the
first and second acts and Miss Hopkins
sang very prettily between the second and
third. Home made candy was on sale at
handsomely decorated tables and this fea-
ture was well patronized After the enter
tainment the floor was cleared and to the
enlivenng strains of Reyes Orchestra the
crowd danced till the lights went out. The
Seniors wish to thank the public for their
kind patronage and also to say that they
will probably run an excursion to ISleSboro
and repeat the play in that town about the
middle of May.