The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1906-06-08
MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM

Class Play Presented to Large Audi
ence in Meritorious Manner.
The senior class of our high
school won many laurels, and are
certainly deserving of much praise
for the magnificent presentation of
Shakespeare's sparkling drama, "a
Midsummer Nights Dream" Two
performances of the beautiful
comedy were given on Friday night
June and Tuesday night June 5,
fully thousand people enjoying
the bright and pleasing spectacle.
The features of the play were OBJ
served in the distinctness and defin-
iteness of the scenes and characters,
and in the richness of the costumes
and general setting. Everything
was done with a definite aim and
with precision. The acts moved off
with pleasing smoothness, and
the actors handled themselves in
manner that brought the play we'll
up to the standard of professional
attainments. The humor, all
through the play, was we'll done
rollicking and hearty, but never
commonplace. Every scene had it's
own charms and fascination, as was
shown by the generous and frank
applause sprinkled throughout
both evenings. The stage resem-
bled woodland bower, as real
branches and even whole trees were
used in the decorations. The scenes
fairly sparkled at times with twink
ling feet and glimmering arms;
and the fairy music gave subdued
attraction, like an undertone to the
forest pictures.
Where all the parts were so we'll
played it is a difficult matter to
single out particular ones for
special mention. The characterize.
ton of the leading personages, the
hard-handed men of Athens, and
the leading fairies were indeed de-
lightful. Henry Sincock as Thesues
was stately and dominant. Sigvert
Dahls Lysander was fine and ag-
| gressive. Sigvert never looked
better in his life than in this
character. Leighton Simons as
Denetrius was convincing in his
fervency even when reproving. The
Hernia of Mary Rooney was we'll
taken and attractive, as was the
gentle, appealing Helena of Emma
Duffala. Harry Neff made a good
Egeus, and with much force called
1.-THE law" down upon the head of
the "scornful Lysander." Philost-
rate, played by John Bonner as
"Master of the Revels" was satisfac-
tory. Lulu Martin, as Hippolyta,
was effective-even beautiful, and
her attendants, Eugene McCarty
and Edwin Tornquist, were as fine
pair of coons as ever came out of
the dark continent.
-mirth provoking sons of toll
were distinct success. With ham,
mer and tongs they won their way
to the hearts of all. The Moon was
a marvel of mellow light; the wall
"chesty" pillar of support to the
whole performance. and the lion a
roaring success. Leslie Reid as
Ounce the carpenter was all right,
and we will here record that he
could saw his way to success
through any play. Starveling the
tailor cast shadow by the light of
his own moon-lantern that was pale
with emaciation, while Flute the
bellows-mender, when playing
Thisby. had voice that would
charm the pollywogs from the
banks of Silver lake and his strides
we're somewhat less than mile in
length. When this Sweet, bully"
crowd got the center of the stage it
was time for the audience to get
happy, which was done every time.
The leading characters of these
devotees of Thespis, was Nick
Bottom the weaver. Nick was the
the wonder of his hearers. His
voice and versatility were amazing
and he was flawlessly consistent
from start to finish. In facial ex-
pressions he show himself a true
| actor, and he did his "stunt" so we'll,
that all in the audience were ready
to take his word tor il, that he
could do any part from Thisby to
the lion. Nick Bottom as acted by
James Bailie was distinct triumph
in high school dramatics and he is
entitled to a place among the
comedy stars that will shine in the
memory of those who listen to class
plays year after year.
The fairies were dainty, sprightly