The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-08-15

The Pageant which was to have
been given this afternoon is post
poned until o'clock this evening. Az
ter the crowds mad gathered the rain
came and compelled its postponement
In the event of unfavorable weather
this evening the postponed perfor-
nance will be given at 3 o'clock
Thursday afternoon The tickets for
the performance which was scheduled
for this afternoon will be accepted
either this evening or Thursday af-
ternoon.
The final production of the Ben
nington Historical Pageant takes
place tomorrow. Wednesday evening
at o'clock. 1t will be the last
chance to see the greatest event of
the kind ever put on in Vermont.
The admission rate is 80 cents and
one dollar. Both rates include res
erYed seats. Rumors about other
rates or admission charges are incor-
rect If the crowd Is so large that
the seats are all sold further admis-
sion tickets will be sold at the gate
at so cents and the buyers can get
good seats on the grassy slope and
just as good a view OF the Pageant
as though they had reserved seats.
Each performance of the Pageant
is meeting with an increasing atten-
dance, and the constant improvement
in the presentation of the scenes guar
antees an audience which, 1t is con-
seryatively estimated, will tax the ca
pacity of the theatre" tomorrow eve
ming AT the performance last even
ing was the largest number of per,
sons that have yet been present. The
number exceeded by far the fondest
dreams of the most hopeful enthusi-
asst.
II was thought that there would be
a noticeable decrease in attendance
yesterday and probably today. The
promoters reasoned that Saturday
would be the big day" and that Mon
day the attendance would be eonsid-
erably lighter, with a slight increase
on Tuesday and the largest number
of all on Wednesday. That they
were in error in at least q part of
this supposition was at once evident
when the seats began to ill up at
1880 o'clock last evening. The crowd
began to arrive early and in ever In
creasing numbers until by 8 o'clock
almost every available seat had been
taken. From present indications the
rest Of the supposition OF the promo
tiers will be quite effectually laid
away at rest at tomorrow's final pro
duction.
The ever increasing attendance is
by no means exceeding the increas-
ing proficiency of the participants. In
fact, IL Is TO this continued improve
ment in the presentation OF the var
ious scenes that the enlarged atten-
dance is probably due.
The performance last night was
with a pleasing snap and sparkle
which eliminated suggestions OF anna
teurishness. The absence OF any such
in the action OF the whole play was
conspicuous. The actors have be
come more accustomed TO their cos
tunes and do not present the awk
ward appearance which 1t was rather
difficult to overlook In the rehearsals
and in the first performance. They
seem to take more OF an interest in
their individual roles, and the atten
ton of even the most inconspicuous
participant has vast influence on
the entire show.
The star scene OF the Pageant Is
generally conceded to be the forma
ton of the Council OF Safety and the
selection of Ethan Allen to lead the
Vermonters against the oppression o
the land spectators. II any one fig
ure in the Pageant stands out above
the others II is Edward III. Holden IA
ETHAN Allen. In build and voice anC
gesture he makes an Ethan true e
the real article.
1t would be difficult to imagine I
more charming Martha Hilton thar
Mrs. III. Harry Sharpe. Hers Is I
part OF unusual difficulties The sue
cessful portrayal OF this role required
the possession Of no small amount o
the histrionic ability and her success
was due not to her costume or stag
setting, but to her unconscious grace
and Interpretation OF the inwar'
sense OF her later triumph.
Hon. II. 7. Cushman's portrayal o
Gen. Stark was one OF the features o
the presentation. He wore the per
sohality OF the commander with tn,
dignity OF a soldier and the charm o
gentleman. He rode like n com
mander OF cavalry and the gray hors'
he mounted was an animal that an.
general might coyet.
TO drill large number OF absol
utely green men, into a company o
we'll trained troops requires tremen
dous amount of effort and patience
II Is task that would phase man!
men who know what II entails. Ye
that is what W. u Lundergan did TO
the Pageant The way In which the
various scenes OF n military charao
ter were presented last evening show
ed that the efforts OF MIR. Lundergal
are successful. Miss Eager In speak
ing of the character represented b.
MIR Lundergan said: "He IL one o
our best actors"
Miss jeanette Perkins as Mistress
Stavers aud later as Lady Hallowel
in the wedding scene and then as th'
May Queen was most effective. He
strength In all these roles was truth
full and deservedly appreciated. al
was also Miss Eugenie MoCandliss a.
1.-THE barmaid In the scene In old Eng