The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-05-28
The Academy.

INC ACADEMY
The management of the Benjamin
Players announces as the Offering FOR
the stock company for next week Miss
Mary Johnston's semi-historical dra-
ma, Audrey This drama is one OF
the largest productions ever put upon
the stage, and has never before been
attompttl by any stock company.
However. Manager Benjamin has de-
termtned that Richmond theatergoers
shall be afforded another opportunity
to see this splendid drama of the
early days OF Virginia. and with this
view In mind has decided to go to a
very heavy expense to obtain the right
to produce this play, and to secure
the necessary elaborate costumes and
scenery for II. He will also be forced
to go to the further expense OF in
creasing the membership of the Ben
pamin Players, as the cast for Audrey
Is of such unusually large proportions.
As will be remembered by those in
terested In theatricals in this city.
Audrey was given its first production
upon the stage at the Academy here
several seasons ago, when Miss Flea
nor Robson appeared In the title role.
There were three performances of Au-
drey given at that engagement. and
at each performance the seating ca
pacity OF the Academy was taxed to
it's uttermost. on the opening night
Miss Mary Johnston. with several Of
her friends sat In one Of the stage
boxes, which was bedecked with flow
ers In her honor.
The scenes In this strong drama are
located In and around Williamsburg
and jamestown, and the cast contains
such historical personages as Colonel
Byrd. Of MISSIONER. and the fair Eve
lyn Byrd. Aside from the many dra-
matte merits of this piece. 1t will be
vastly interesting for Its historical
significance TO all Richmonders and to
Virginians in general. and also from
the fact that It liz from the pen of
one of Richmond's most talented lit
erary women.
Miss Catherine Carter. who has al
ready won the hearts of every patron
OF the Benjamin Players, will be cast
In the title role, and II Is safe to say
that in her hands II will receive a
competent Interpretation. The charac-
ter of Audrey Is indeed q dramatic one
and possesses many dramatic posi-
bilities. Mr.. Franklin Richie will be
seen as the polished young Virginian,
the man of the world, the traveller
and the friend of English poets. Mar
maduke Harvard, Miss Lydia Knott, al
ready q prime Richmond favorite. will
have the part OF Mrs. Stage, a mem
Der OF the Williamsburg stock com
pany OF actors, and she may he count
ed on as giving n splendid interpre-
| tation of this role. Miss Glare Cas-.
sell VIII be seen as Deborah Darden
and Miss Florence Adams as Quak.
eress. Miss Margaret Field. who dis.
played such remarkable GOODNESS and
latent dramatic talents on last Mon.
day night in her Interpretation OF the
unrehearsed role OF Merely Mary Ann
win be seen next week as Martha ia.
quelin. Mr.. F.. j. Blunkall, the genia
actor and energetic stage directcs
appear as Jean Hugon. the Indian
Mr.. Russell, as Gideon Darden, tn.
preacher; Mr.. Curtis. aa Colonel Byrd
Mr.. Kendall. as Charles Stagg. an ac
/ tor; Mr.. Perry. as Mr.. Eliot, a preach
er, Mr.. Spears. as william Gooch: Mr.
Schnell. who has made much out o
many small parts, an Mr.. Travers, anC
the capable Mr.. Storm. as Mr.. Ever
ard.
Audrey Will be seen at the Acad
envy every night next week. excep
Tuesday. with the usual Wednesda,
and Saturday matinees.