The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1907-03-22
THE RIVALS
PRESENTED
Successful Performance on
Opening Night
RY GTp0Mn LOCAL TALENT.
BY STRONG LOCAL TALENT.
Second Production Tonight Under the
Auspices Of the Civic Federation Of
Women's Clubs Merits a
Large Crowd.

Painted, powdered and wigged, nearly
score Of the picked amateur actors
Of the city appeared in Richard Brinsley
sheridan's "The Riyals,a at the Barre
opera house last evening under the aus.
pices Of the Civic Federation Of Women,s
Clubs. The piece was staged under The
direction Of Irwin L. Potter. and was
much of q triumph for his ability IN
that line, az, indeed, it was for the per
formers, who showed marked aptitude
IN Interpretation. This was the FIRST
Of two performances, the second being
presented this evening. 1t merits full
house.
There are some strong bits of indi-
vidual acting, and were there time enough
10 shake the parts together into d more
compact ensemble, the production as
staged here would compare favorahly
with many professional attraction.
Barre people win take pleasure In the
presentation this evening, for, with the
benefit Of the first performance. the par
ticipants win be in position to give
q more finished production. Those who
saw i last night were very much
pleased.
The entire performance. beginning
with the play itself which is a master
piece, il a high effort and Is probably
the most ambitious essay OF local tai.
ent in a long time. Elaborate costrrmine
secured IN Boston for this presentation
adds greatly to the beauty Of the scenes
tn fact, no more beautiful costumes have
ever been seen on the local stage than
those from Raymond's.
There are Of course the parts which
necessarily stand out prominently from
the Others, and the choice Of performers
Tor them was most happyMiss Gene
We've II. Cheney as Mrs. Malaprop.n
who has an unfortunate predileetion for
employing long words, which she does
TO the nefriment Of the audience: H. w.
Heath, who fills the Jeifersonian role
Of Bob Acres; Miss Mary Mcdonald
~ Lydia Languish.' sought by many
Edmund @. Mitchell, as the handsome
Jack Absolute who finally
walks away with Lydia: Miss Alice
Averill as Lucy who il Ivdia'sn
sprightly maid; George Seager as nsir
Anothony Absolute; Dr.. J.. NJ. Lynde
lt Falkland" and A. W. Allen az ssir
Lueius 0'Irigger, and the great iuspirer
Of duels
Miss Cheney and Mr.. Seager as the
designing old people al matchmaking
fof their niece and son, respectively were
very good The former was particular
v good in her stage presence, and while
ihe was working under the disadvantage
y a severe cold, she nevertheless re-
.eiyed the appreciation OF the audience
q no small measure. Miss Mcdonald 4
illed the part OF the maiden anxious for I
! romantic marriage and had perhaps /
he most difficult role as regards facial |
oppression, the demands running from
ightest joy to deepest sorrow. and the /
met the demand aceeptabIy.
Her successful wooer, Captain Jack, +
IS taken by Mr.. Mitchell, was mirth.
ul young man quick 20 catch the drift /
i humor aud TO take advantage of his /
whether it be at the ex.
,ense OF friend or foe. Miss Averill as
Maid to I4ydia" was a dainty, vivacious
title body. She made powerful lot
i a minor part
. well-meaning but not oyer-eouIageous
onntry gentleman, well portrayed ltlt
$ Of course one OF the leading parts
i the play, and no mistake was made
q selecting Mr. Heath to fiji the role.
ie was capital Bob, skipping, dane
ng, jumping, and then again shudder.
ng, trembling eoIlapsing when pistol
ras placed IN his hands for the duel b
a the final scene. Dr. Lynde and Mr..
Illen are both "old performers before
iarre audiences, and their lesser parts
Tere well interpreted last night, as was
he still lesser roles Of David servant
0 "Bob Acres and Thomas coach
IAN 70 "Sir Anthony" both Of which
'ere taken BY Webster Laird
Minor roles, necessary TO fill out the
Of the play, were taken by
!. r. Preston as sag, servant to "Cap. \
ain Absolute; Miss Eva Smith, eJu. 1
a. a friend of Lydia; Karl Abbott
9 AZ old man; Miss Beatrice Kent as
maid; Miss Lon SeaYer as a fruit sell
r. Kenneth Gale as a read-headed boy J,
nd servant to Captain Absolute; and (,
iessrs. Harrison, Olsen and Eastman, n
lree roistering soldiers. 4
4he music tor the performance is un
er the direction of William Gilhertson, I
nd the full orchestra gives concert (
etween the acts. A clarinet solo by Z
Ir. Self was especially we'll received last {
eening. Mr.. Potter who has staged
le play, and the ladies Of the Fedora
on, who have worked indefatigably for
70 success Of the production, are to be
Their efforts should be /
'warded with full house this even. 1
ig \
Cast Of charactersi
II Anthony Absolute Mr. Geo. J, Sesger 4
apt Jack Absolute, Mr.. Edw'd Mitchell /
auckland ...... Mfr. II. NJ Lynde
Oh Acres ....... Mr.. ". w. Heath
II Lncius 0"Tripger Mr.. a. w Allen
ag ....... Mr. Roland r. Preston
avid .......... MIR. Webster Laird
oy .s-..s..,.+........
homas .,......s... Mr. w, II. Laird
r.. Malaprop Miss Geneyieve Cheney &
vdia Languish Miss Mary Mcdonald 4
lila .............4 Miss Eva Smith
ICY ............ Miss Alice n Ayerill Il
aid ........... Miss Beatrice Kent G
sllit seller ...... Miss Lou Seaver
q man ...... Mr.. Kare Abbott d
'idiers ................ - ]