Middletown transcript., 1905-02-11
THE DOVER DRAMATIC ASSOCIATION
Will Appear at the MiddIetown Opera
House in the Near Future

The Dover Dramatic Association which
is composed of the best talent in the
State Capitol, is making reputation
which many of the travelling troops
would be justly proud of. The Sunday
Star of February 5th, in speaking Of this
association said:
DOVER, Del, Feb. 4th.-The Dover Dra-
matte Association, recently organized
here and which has given two benefit
performances for the Dover Opera House,
meeting with unparalleled success, has
gained such reputation that invitations
have been received by the company to
visit other towns in Delaware and Mary
land
The two entertainments recently given
by the association, the last one of which
was rendered in the Dover Opera House
the past week, was considered by critics
from Philadelphia and other large cities
who were visiting here and had an op-
portnnlty to see the talent displayed, as
| iar ABOVE ordinary semi professional, and
In some instance equalling that of the
professional. Mrs. Harry F. Ford, of this
town, who took the character of "Mrs.
Frivolton," charming part in the sketch
AN Evening Call" was especially fine in
the part assigned her. Her grace and
ease ON the stage brought forth consider
able favorable comment, and the stranger
who was not acquainted with the facts,
would have pronounced her regular pro-
fesssional artist.
William L. Smithers, who is really the
manager and trainer of the, association.
and who assumed the part of "Franklln
Blake, III the same sketch as that of
Mrs. Ford, delighted his audience beyond
description, while his production from
R,chelleu, was nothing short of that of |
the professional. Mr.. Smithers' person
ality, his grace and ease besides his |
knowledge OF the work of the stage is |
admirable. The sketch in which he and |
Mrs. Ford took part, was written by |
him.
j. Howard West as "Orlando Beau
mont',' and Miss Lena Baker, as "Miss
Ada Debut" in the sketch, "An Evening
Call, !" also far exceeded the expectations |
of the large audience. Mr.. West, while
not having been directly connected with
anything like professional company, dis
played snch wonderful Judgment and
with perfect confidence in himself, show
ed that with but little training, he could
equal any artist now travelling on the
vaudeville stage. Miss Baker with her
dancing in the sketch. added to the scene
and was so loudly applauded that her re-
turn was called for several times.
Miss Mary Wharton, one of Dover's
well-known singers, with songs of the
negro dialect, captivated her audience
she appeared in the role of black face
artist. Her actions and manner were
becoming to any professional along that
line.
Messrs. Townsend Smithers and Ed
ward Griffith, two of Dover's well.known
singers, also acted their part with credit
ability to themselves and their trainer.
They. like Miss Wharton, appeared in
the role of the black faced artists and
with their local hits, gave variety which
not only pleased the audience, but added
greatly to the success of the entertain
nent.
Other talent was produced which equal
I'd that already mentioned and in a great
measure aided in the success which char
acterized the entire performance.
There is strong possibility of the COM
oany paying Wilmington visit in the
lear future.
The people of our town and the sur
community will be delighted to
earn that this company has decided to
lppear at the Middletown Opera House
n the near future, but at this writing the
late has not been given.