The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-06-09
Young Performers Take Well to
the Difficult Roles.
ri sltT n ann 7iIa'91l : I
Audience Approves Of Work
With Hearty Applause.
Successful Event at MankatO
Theatre Last Night.

= = +
From Wednesdays Daily.
'Tony Lumpkin' kept the audience
at the opera house last evening IN
HIGH state of mirth as long as he remain
ed on the stage and even while he was
gone. as the results of his trickery
worked out into the charming plot of
Oliver Goldsmith's "Sne Stoops to Con-
ouer,". the play on which the gradual
ing class of the normal school has long
been at work rehearsing under the di-
rectiong of Miss Woodbury.. Joseph
Mach made remarkably dealistic
''Tony'' and yet most of the effect of
his performance would nave been lost
had it not been amply supplemented by
that of his mother, Mrs. Hardcaste"
represented by Miss Blanche Dyer
"Tony" without his pragmatical mother,
or MRS AHardcastle" without her dear
bad boy would have been able to eX-
cite but little interest, but the combina-
ton was exhilirating.
Miss Alma Coughlan as Mss Hard
CASTLE might be said to have represent
ed the heroine of the drama, yet it is hard
to tell whether more interest centered
about her part or that of 'Miss Con
stance Neville" played by Miss Belle
Longnecker. Both the roles were GER
tainly handled with skill that seemed
almost professional. The name of the
play would rather tend to throw the
heroineship upon Miss Hardcastle," for
she "stooped to conquer" her chosen
fiance "Sir Charles Marrow" who, too
bashful to look upon young ladies of
gentility, never really saw her until she
appeared in the character of a barmaid.
The role of "Sir Charles was ably TAX
en- by Walter Gilbertson. ''Miss Ne
Vile" on the other hand attracts close
attention on account of her close as
ISOLATION with the doings of ''Tony" and
his mother, her aunt, who desires to
have the cousins married because of
the young lady's large fortune. This
fortune consists largely in jewels, which
are in the aunt's possession in trust.
The young lady pretends to yield to
her aunt's wishes in the hope of get
ting possession of these jewels, though
having plighted her love toyoung Hast
ings.'' The latter, character handled
with easy skill by James J. Giblin, is
about as much of plotter as Tony
though in a more serious way.
"Mr. Hardcastle" rather eXcites pity
Being the master of the house in which
all the plots and counterplots are hatch
ed and partially executed, he often finds
himself tangled in a maze of deception
and bis phenomenal patience seems at
times on the point of giving way, but
when all ends happily, none is happier
than. he. Charles o. Johnson was the
man who appeared in this compassion
able character. " a eft
Probably the play would never have
attained the celebrity it. enjoys, were ii
not fef1the 1ieniafka Blyserisinal feature
ofitfhe A6feh saetes Che drive around the
hosisell4y ssIehye until 'sMfss Eardcas
tier thinks she has her refractory niece
far on a journey to the home of an
other aunt, there to endure Punishment
for her disobedience. 1t is a terrible
ride, through bitches and ponds, until
they can 90 no farther, and 'Nlrs. Hard
CASTLE sees a robber behind every tree
and bush. All this time she is but a
few rods from her own home.
The last scene in the fifth act clears
up all the mysteries. "Tony" finds he is
of age and refuses "AIiss Neville" max.
ing the latter a complete victor over
her aunt. Two betrothals take place
at once and all ends well.
Besides the. participants that have al
ready been mentioned, the following
took part, every one furnishing an able
contribution to the whole effect: 'Mar
low," Henry Detamore; "Stingo, the