The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-03-17
PROF. NAPOLEON
sTUPENDOUs PRODUCTION By LO- CAL TALENT AT THE
 THEATRE.
Six Hundred Persons in Cast That Showed Excellent Trnining---Per- fOrmance by Amateurs a Rev.
 eIution.

Montgomery theatre goers were hardly prepared for the revelation of home talent, with which they were entertained last evening when the arose disclosing to their astonished gaze. a chorus of more than three hun dred of the young men. women and children of this city in the musical ex- travaganza, Professor Napoleon"
 Montgomery Is noted for the excel lency of it's amateur performances, but the precedent established by "Profes- sor Napoleon" will be difficult mat ter to live up to in the future, as more l than five hundred of the tots-ranging | in ages from six to twelve years-have 1 received training, which in their after l life will be of great assistance in any amateur affairs that they may be | called upon to take part. | The stage and It's magnificent set- \ ting, representing a college campus, l with it's hundreds of animated boys l and girls, reminded one of vast nov I ing picture of intricate dancing. l In the cast of characters the princi- l pals were all Montgomery people with l the exception of that of Professor Ma 1 polean," which was portrayed by w. J.. l Heflin of Birmingham.
 l The entire little comedy was laughter l provoking form beginning to ending, one 1 round of applause succeeding another l from the rising to the falling of the 1 curtain.
 More than six hundred people took | part in the play, possibly more than has
 ever been at one time in a production. l whether professional or amateur, in l this city.
 The speaking parts were short but
 we'll aimed. interspersed with many
 bright and catchy local hits. I Aside from Mir. Heflin of Birming- ! ham, who was cast as Professor Ma 4 poleon,, Junius Pierce at "Mephisto,' ' and Mrs. S E. Washburn as Helen" | were the stars around which, with \ greater or less brilliancy. the other | lights revolved.
 I MT. Pierce, in his acting and song, was to say the least. wonderful im- personation of his Satanic Majesty.
 Mrs. Washburn in the part of the
 popular college girl acted to perfection
 showing life and action rarely seen in ! amateur roles.
 In the duet Love Is all Sufficient. ''
 Mir Pierce and Mrs. Washburn were | particularly fine.
 The plot of the piece is very simple. l but an ''excuse' on which to hang q
 number of catchy songs. fancy dances
 and beautiful tableaux-a typical col-
 lege play with the usual settings 1 The son of Senator Fisk, Richard
 impersonated by Albert $. Mills Is a
 student at Sage Hurst college. Owing l to the fact that he Is more literary than | studeous he gets into trouble and the ! German instructor. Professor Napol-
 con- advises his father of his misde- I meaners
 The. senator goes to the college and | the whole story Is the plot between ! Richard and his school mates to keep l his father from meeting the Professor | which they succeed in doing until at | the very last of the play.
 A character deserving of especial
 mention was MT. Phis," the professor of chemistry, who has conceived the
 idea that by mixing certain chemicals
 and lotions youth can be restored to the oldest persons.
 MT. Phiz" was splendidly played by Harry Marcus; Madame De Willard by Mrs. Ike Simon; Senator Fisk by
 Lionel Haas; Captain Murray" by E.. | R. Tombstone and the little grand child of the Senator, "Inez Fisk" by
 Miss Mary Ashley.
 Miss Doris Faber as "Elsie," a stu
 dent. did some good work both in song l and dance
 1 The campus corps. barring their ap- pearance. a few times too many" on the stage, were among the laughable features of the play. They were: How | ell Tatum, Wiley Jones, Glen Jennings
 and Troy Watts.
 Miss Regina Roswald as the Queen
 of the Witches was pleasing and Miss