The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16
HIGH SCHOOL PUPILS
LIKE PROFESSIONALS
Dramatic Club Covers Itself With Glory and PROUD
Parents and Schooimates Applaud Performers Lib
eTally-Play to Be Repeated Tomorrow Night

Presenting THE Merchant OF Venice"
upon the stage of the Annex Building,
thirteen pupils of the Richmond High
School last night covered themselves
with all the glories that come to the
Thespian Teachers, friends and school,
mates in the audience, which filled the
auditorium TO it's capacity. We're proud
of the achievement of the young am
ateur players. Proudest of all, perhaps
was DIR. j. G. HARDWOOD. the principal
who watched the performance very
closely from the front until the cur
tain fell on the fourth act. when he
made his way back TO the stage to
congratulate the members of the COM
pany, and incidentally, no doubt. to
ask why their modesty prevented them
from taking a second curtain call. in
response to the enthusiastic applause
of the audience.
The most marked feature in con-
nection with the production was the
smoothness of the performance. There
was no peeping at the audience from
me side of the curtain; there was. no
intermissions. and there We're no long
waits between the acts. The buzz
sounded at SIZE O'Clock. when the "or-
clestra was rung in, With as profess
overture, the house lights We're cut out.
me footlightS put on. and the curtain
was rung up. all without any sign
of hitch, and the performance com
inenced with no more "to do than if
the annex had been a theatre In which
similar scene took place every night
in the week.
The members of the cast acquitted
themselves handsomely. They Were
costumed and presented
quite professional appearance. They
read their lines almost without a hitch
and the prompter certainly had little
to do during the evening. His services
might almost have been dispensed
MT
Wilburn b. sydnor was quite easy
and natural in his manner. and in this
respect. carried off the honors OF the
evening. He remembered at all times,
whether reading lines or not, that he
was in the scene, and he made himself
a part of 1t. His entire attention was
devoted to his side of the footlishts.
Mr.. Sam Cottrell. in this respect, de-
ing Launcelot and Tubal, and made a
decidedly favorable Impression upon
the audience. Robert w. Miles, ,Jr., in
the difficult role OF Shylock, worked
earnestly and received due recognition
for his efforts.
!. Miss Corneia Magill made charm
ING Portla. and Miss Gertrude Cren-
shaw and Miss Mary G. Todd each re-
representations of Jessica and Nerissa
MISS Marian Ware rendered piano se-
siections during the intermlssions. add
ing considerably to the enjoyment of
the evening.
One Of the most Interesting facts in
connection with the production is tina;
the scenery was built and painted by
members OF the cast and that the cos
TUNES were designed and made by
them. The cast was as follows:
Shylock, a Jew. Robert w. Miles, IT,
Tho Duke of Venice M. Allen Cham
bers, Ir,
Antonio, q Merchant OF Venice Rob-
ert A. Brock, il.
!, Hassanio, his friend, ,suitor to Portia
Nv. Robert Beverley.
Salarino, Elliott tIarrellson,
Ctratiano Wilburn H. Sydnor,
Loronzo,,, I'm love With Jessica, IT,.
Moylan Fitts.
Satanic, CID Gobbo, 2. Binford Wal
ford. $'
Lauaselot Gobbo, Tubal, a lew, sam
4 stephano, Leonardo, Perry seay.