The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1906-03-09
Lake Crystal Home Talent
Make a Big Hit.
PLAY WAS A GREAT SUCCESS
Opera House of That Village Crowd
ed to lis Capacity; Actors Given
a Royal Reception.

Lake Crystal, March 1.-The presen-
tation of "Under the Gaslight" by 10
cal home talent club Thursday and Sat
nrday evenings, Feb. 1924, at the
opera house under the auspices of the
knights of Pythias lodge brought forth
storm of applause, and approval on
the part of the large audience, which
filled the house to its utmost capacity.
say, that the people were surprised, even
astonished. The play as whole, was
put on with so much force, with such
an array of dramatic skill, with so much
enthusiasm, that the people could not
by any possible circumstances be in
any other attitude than of surprise and
delight.
Neither do we overstate the fact when
we say that it was due the players
the manner in which they entered into
the spirit of the play, that carried en-
thusiasm to the audience, and imbued
them with the same spirit, which was
caught up, and re-echoed from all parts
of the hall.
Three elements entered into the CON
summation of this result, first the play
ers themselves, who through a series of
amateur experiences have enabled each
one to pass, from the amateur into the
real practical actor. Second the play
itself, which involves a plot, at once
thrilling and interesting, true to life,
and third, the most excellent tutOrship
given by Mrs. Wilcox, who directed the
preparations for the play, and laid the
foundation whereby, each individual ac-
tor, was enabled to harmonic ability,
and the true spirit of the drama to the
end that the play as whole should be
as nearly perfect as it was possible to
make it.
1t was by all odds the best play ever
presented lin Lake Crystal.
Walter Over was exceptionally fine
as Ray Trafford, playing the, part in a
finished, scholarly MANNER his fine pres
ence adding not little to his success.
Earle Bartlett, as one of Uncle Sans
"boys in blue" was natural and thor
oughly good, and held the sympathy of
the audience, front start to finish. He
should have been an actor.
The villainous part "Byke," as por-
trayed by Paul Neff, was a mastery
piece of acting, his makeup was fine,
,rJ oof;po n ovo crit icicry1
Louis Knox gave a neat piece of char
acter acting as the signal man, and held
his audience every minute. that he was
on the STAGE One of the best, bits in
point of artistic makeup and define
alton of character, was the part of
Lawyer Splinter" Robert Thomas
was absolutely splendid in this part.
Ed Mutt in the extremely funny part
of Bermudas, could not have been bet
ter. He made the most of his part, and
every one present enjoyed his happy,
90 as YOU please style of acting. And
who have we here, with ebony face, and
rollicking songs. 1t is the pet of the
foot lights the ever welcome darkey and
Oscar Moe as the irresistible Sam was
a decided success. l
Preston NIiXwell was very good as the
organ grinder Charles Davis filled his
part with credit and Bert Austin play
ed his part naturally.
Miss Edna Cole as Laura CORTLAND
was at once in touch with her audience.
Her reading was natural, there were
tears in her voice, in her pathetic scenes,
her conception of the part was entirely
satisfactory. gA
Stella Reilly was the sweet society
girl, just a little bit of a fiirt, yet lovely
and oh, so pretty.
Mrs. Knox as Mrs. Van Dorm, twas
handsome, elegant and digsihed, and
thoroughly at ease on the stage.
But who is this poor little waif with
snarly hair and laughing face, who
charmed the audience from first to last.
'Isn't she just too cute,' says the old
gentleman in the bald headed row, as
Lou Burrows goes skipping off the
stage.
But cover the chldren's heads to keep
them from crying, for who is this ter
rible old woman stepping on the stage,
surely not the pretty Mrs. Espenson,
and wasn't she good?
Mrs. Dosset played her short part
conscientiously.
One of the features of the evening
was the excellent music given by Miss
Nelson, Willie Marsten and Ray Mead;
also the very pleasing cake walk by Us
car Moe and Peter Christensen, who
were recalled repeatedly and delighted
the audience.
After the entertainment, the particl-
pants were invited to the Commercial
house where as guests of the knights OF
Pythias they sat down to an elegant
banquet.