The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-02-27
THE CULTUS' ENTERTAINMENT.
"Up to Freddie" and ''The Geisha'
Charm a Capacity House.

The dramatic and musical enter
tainment under the auspices of the
Cultus Musical Club at the Academy
OF Music on last Tuesday evening
was decided success. One of
the largest audiences that ev-
er witnessed an amateur per-
formance in Sumter filled the house
to its utmost capacity, and gave evil
dence of high appreciation of it's
pleasure and delight.
The entertainment opened with a
two act comedy drama. up to Fred
die" a play presenting a series Of
ridiculous situations in a rapid-fire
and laugh provoking manner. Messrs.
o. H. Foley and George Warren, in
their respective parts of Greenville
Lodge and John Stanhope, interpret
ed their lines exceedingly we'll.
The title role, Freddie Thatcham
was presented in a highly amusing
manner by Mr.. Z. w. Ware, as a typ
ical dude and, also, as comedian
Mr. Ware made good.
The work of Mrs. A. D. Hardy, as
Miss Prince, a dignified and gracious
chaperone, added much needed life to
the play. Being thoroughly at ease,
and reading her lines in a most ac-
ceptable manner, gained for her the
very high commentator Of the au-
dience.
Miss Corrine Barfeld made very
attractive Marguerite Burnett" a
lady who accepted, then rejected and
finally grabbed with both hands. She
was very clever.
Four fair and shifty maidens were
we'll represented by Misses Mabel
Bowman, Mary Wilson, Jessie La
Motto and Mrs. Abe Ryttenberg. They
portrayed admirably that flirting is
an awful, awful crime, and were the
four reasons why Freddie left home.
1.-THE Geisha," a story of a Japan
ese tea garden told in song, was the
concluding portion of the program.
This clever little opera of catchy
songs and tuneful melodies was pre-
sented by Miss Rosa Sharfsin and Mr..
Alva Lumpkin, assisted by a we'll
trained chorus Of strong and WELL
trained voices.
Miss Sharfsin. petite and graceful,
and of most charming and captivat-
ing stage presence, was ideal in the
leading role as. the Queen of the
Geisha, most beautiful daughter Of
fair japan. Her rich soprano voice,
splendidly cultivated and always un-
der perfect control, had a most won
derful range. filling every portion of
the large auditorium. She complete
ly captivated her audience in the
song hits of the opera "Amorous
Goldfish" Jewel of Oshia," and
Love. Love-" The numerous encores
| and deluge Of flowers bespoke the
unbounded delight that her work pro-
| duced.
Playing opposite Miss Sharfsin was
Mr.. Alva Lumpkin, of Columbia, a
baritone singer Of Statewide repu-
tation. His wonderfully powerful
voice showed to its best advantage in
the beautiful love ballad "Star of
My Soul" which met with a most
complimentary reception. His rem
dition Of "Jappy" was, also, highly
commended.
Little Reb Bradford received moth
ing short of an ovation at the conclu-
sion of his cleverly rendered song
"Chin- Chin -Chinaman." His dancing
was decided feature, and the au-
dience demanded his response to not
less than three encores.
Much of the success of the opera
was due to most excellent orchestra
composed Of Mrs; Hearon, piano, Mrs.
H. NJ. Stuckey, violin, Mrs. Robt. She
lor, violin, Miss Lucille Iseman. violin,
Mr.. Bagwell, cornet. DR.. Vaughn,
| flute. Mr.. VIM. Moran, bass violin.
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