Norwich bulletin., 1909-02-20

Something out of the line of amateur perrormances given here on previous occasions, The Garden Party, at the Broadway theater on Friday evening, was decidedly meritorious in every par thcular, the entire play passing off smoothly and to the credit of all the participants, as well as to those who directed it.
 The tneater was crowded, every seat, including the boxes, being taken, and the play provided excellent entertain ment. It was given by the Open House and Halle clubs, directed by MT. and Mrs. l.. J. Rodenbaugh, who have been drilling the participants for the past month. The songs and dances were all admirably done, there being a freedom and ease attained by the members of the cast which thoroughly pleased. The stage settings were beautiful, the open ing one showing the stage filled with attendants at garden party; there being ferns, peach trees in blossom, while overhead were clusters and strings of Chinese lanterns and sev- era1 large Chinese parasols. l.. J. Ro- denbaugh was master of ceremonies, and as such proved an excellent direc- tor while the walters in blacked faces -James P. Sheridan, Leon Young, Irving Drake, Frederick Clark, Harry Branch and Louis Simons-were decid- edly good in their jokes and stories. Come Along, Little Girl" was the song sung by the chorus at the open ing, and was received with a round of applause, after which the Honeymoon march introduced the walters.
 A striking feature through the play was the handsome gowns worn, the stage picture in the first act being par ticularly so.
 Misses Bertha Woodmansee and Dora AIlhFAV T RO111d TaOWn You if You'd Let Me, in fine voice, and it was necessary for them to repeat. In Jungle Town, Frederic Clark had a characteristic pose. and his work de- lighted. Jack and Jill was a pretty number, Miss Myrtle Hines and Louis Carpenter being heard in the duet, with the chorus by the entire cast.
 A beautifully sung tenor solo. If l Had Thousand Live to Live, was the offering of Archibald P. McDouglad, which met with favor, and an encore was necessary, after which Miss Della Woodnansee made a hit in the song, On a Crocodile. Tn this she was ac- companied by the company in the cho- rus, and she did a clever dance, which won enthusiastic applause.
 The Indian song, Big Chief Battle Axe, was capably handled by D. K Brown. who was assisted in the chorus by Rose Leopold, Alice Bowker, Maud Perry Annie Shaw and Haidie Black stone as squaws. Kiss, Kiss, Kiss, was sung by Charles M. Colberg and Miss Ella Kirby in a very clever manner. their voices blending nicely, and their acting was fine. Sweet Loveland was Miss Elmira Belair's solo, which she sang with pleasing effect, while Misses Alice Stevens, Millie Baker, Annie Houldcroft. Louise Thresher, Marion Swan, and William Buckingham. Cliff ton Hilton, William Sl1eiton and Nei- son Parker assisted her in the chorus.
 There was a scream when the chill dren chorus of over 125 voices assem- bled at the opening of the second act, and it continued until they left the stage. They sang with big volume. the soloists being Misses Lucille Lord and Gladys Elliot. This was one whirl of laughter for the audience. and was followed by the Pfclzaninnies' Frolic by sixteen children with black faces, who were Margaret Pecl9ham, Catherine Malady Josephine Danahy Ruth Ken nerFon, GenaVieve Bowker, Catherine Palmer. Viola Cary Lillie Beckman, Harry Brown, George Bloom, Robert Kennerson. Mary Schwartz, Harold Branch, Floyd Aubrey, Raymond Har- ris, Gilbert Brown, Vernon Coleman.