The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-05-24

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 tained two students at Judson. The essay of one of these students was read before the association, And for the Alumnae. President Patrick read the essay of the first graduate of Judson, Miss, Carolina Francis Smith of Lowndes County, who graduated in 1s41.
 An Interesting though short musical program was presented for the alumnae An instrumental selection was rendered selection by Miss Elleanor Evans. a graduate of several years ago.
 The treasury was reported to be in satisfactory condition. Mrs. W. J. Reynolds was elected President and Mrs. Robert c. Patrick. Secretary.
 The students Play.
 Tho students presented their play in the evening and It was for the benefit of the Carnegie library fund. A hand some sum was collected by the young lady door Keepers who assessed each of the many visitors 50 cents for ad- mission.
 A quaint old English play had been selected. one of the early works of the Elizabethean stage by Beaumont and Fletcher. The Knight of the Burning Pestle."
 The play was presented to the Jud- son audience in the same way In which 1t was played on the English stage In the days of Queen Elizabeth. There was no scenery. The stage had Err mai, unchargeable setting and the floor was covered with rushes. Two att tendants half soldiers and half stage hands sat In the rear to preserve order or to do some handy turn for the ac- tor.
 According to the book of Beaumont and Fletcher and according to the an- cient custom a part of the audience sat on the stage. The customs of the times gave them the right to converse with the actors and to make audible comments upon the course of the play, The play was in reality play with a double plot. or rather with two plots in progress at the same time. Young Lady Players. The cast of this old play was as fol- lows:
 Speaker of the prologue-Bonnie Pearl Watts. A citizen--Eiva Goodhue. Jamie Bean. Vonceil Strong. His wife-Bessie Massey. Lola War ren. Rosa Ramsey.
 Ralph. his Apprenticeship Hopson. Ware Boyd.
 Boy-Cecil Hampton.
 venturewell--A rich London Mer- ehant--Mabel Hauff. Hattie Collins.
 Luce, His Daughter--Ruby Holley. Carrie Speigner.
 Jasper His Apprentice (son of Mer- rythought) and in Lowe with Luce Ethel Hill and Bonnie Watts.
 Humphrey. A rich old lover-Louise Davie
 Msrrythought-Mary Lou Dean and Nave Province.
 Michael, Hissou-Evelyn Thompson.
 Mrs. Merrythought--Margaret Ans ley.
 Tim, George-other Apprentices
 Lucille Donald, Inez Collins.
 Host of Bell Inn--Mamfe Crew.
 Taps.er-Rosa Ramsey.
 Ralph's Soldiers on Parade-Sergeant William Hammertcn. George Green- goose. Soldiers. Pompiona, Daughter of the King. of MOldavia--Lucile Donald Barber. A 'Giant''-vonceil Strong.
 His Captives. Guard.
 Trumpeter. Guards.
 A brief story of the play is contain ed in this program of anouncement The Prologue comes out to begin the play ''The London Merchant" when one of the audience, a Grocer, inter- | rupts He wants them to net some thing with his own trade in 1t; calls up his Prentice. Ralph, to do some thing rare for the Grocers' honor" Ralph resolves to be a knight. to de- liver distressed damsels and to slay giants as they did in olden times. The | play of "The London MerchRnt goes on while the citizens direct Ralph's | part as he plays" Trained and veteran actors have l found 1t a most difficult stage task to present the humor of the ElizabethiaD stage to the modern audience. It Is a difficult thing to understand and re- quires q delicate interpretation. That the young ladies in "rhe Knight Of the Burning Pestle." brought out this humor so that 1t could be under stood and laughed at, was to their great credit. Moreover.p several of tht players showed an unusual stage grace and trained and effective elocutionarY powers
 The masculine members of the cast were easily recognizable. They always wore the hat and coat of a man of that period and so were easily distinguish able.