Arizona republican., 1905-05-12
DAMON AND PYrHIAS
The Telling of Their Story by the
 Noble Dramatic Co.

The Hardwick theater was filled last night with an enthusiastic audience of members of the Knights of Pythias fraternities and their families, the oc- casion being a special presentation of the story of Damon and PythiaS by the Noble Dramatic company. AS has been announced before, the entertainment committee of Phoenix lodge having in It's charge the pleasure of the visiting grand lodge members as well as that of the home people, had secured the theater for last night, for the exclusive use of Pythians and their families, all of whom were invited to attend the performance free. An arrangement had been entered into with the Noble Dramatic company for the presentation of the drama of Damon and Pythias, a very thrilling story on which are based the lessons taught in the ritualiStic work of the order.
 The audience assembled not only taxed the seating capacity of the house, but 1t was a select and enthusiastic one, composed very largely of per sons qualified to judge of the proper presentation of that particular play. That the Noble company exceeded all expectations in the production was demonstrated by the hearty applause given at every fitting opportunity. The play is one that calls for much in cos tuning and scenery while the lines are heroic, rytEmical and unusually hard to master on brief notice. When it is understood that the members of the company received their parts but four or five days ago and meantime have been busy with other productions nightly, and that but two or three re- hearsals have been possible, those who witnessed the performance can not but appreciate that there is more or less work connected with the profession of an actor.
 The performance took place without hitch and was of a high order in every respect. The Noble company fortunately had scenery we'll adapted to the needs of the bill and in large part the costumes required. All that they lacked in that respect was provid- ed for by special arrangement, so noth- ing was lacking in the entertainment.
 The roles of Damon and Pythias were, of course, the central figures in the play, either one or the other being present in nearly every scene. These parts were portrayed by Alfred Webster and J. A Wolfe respectively. and both men received repeated and we'll merit ed recognition. They were we'll cast, each having not only a proper concep- tiOn of the work assigned, but the physique necessary to act the part i'm pressively.
 Mae shannon as the promised bride of Pythias and Estelle. Reeves as the wife of Damon were both deserving of the plaudits they received, while Gen evive Gloves appeared to good advan- tage in the part of Aria Miss Marie Noble, the talented 1O-year- daugh- ter of MT. and Mrs. Noble, played the part of Damon's child. Mir. Dave Curts appeared as Dionysius, the king, very satisfactorily. Others of his official staff were Will E. Dawes. Walter Walsh, Richard Ross and Charles Vim ton.
 Between the acts there was an ex- cellent speciality monologue by MT. Frink, who is a clever entertainer.
 After the performance the audience retired to the brilliantly lighted lawn adjoining and to the spacious parlors of the Hardwick residence, while the theater floor was being cleared and raised for dancing, which followed the lawn reception.
 As mentioned a few days ago, Mir. and Mrs. Noble have taken the house which was vacated recently by MT. Hardwick, and it's large rooms were particularly arranged for last evenings guests and placed at the disposal of those who found the lawn too chilly for comfort. Mrs. Noble spent the greater part of yesterday in the deco ration of a large enclosed porch with the national colors and other fitting emblems, and here punch was served to all who wished it.
 The lawn was brilliantly illuminated by long rows of electric lights and dec orated with a world of flowers and potted plants. Scores of chairs and seats were provided under the trees for those who cared to smoke or sit in the open during or between the dances. It was altogether an occasion of delight and was the most unique diversion ever provided in Arizona as an entertainment feature of a grand lodge session.