The Forrest City times., 1911-04-21
PRINCESS CHRYSANTHEMUM.
Japanese 0peretta Presented by To- cal Talent Plays Two Perform
 ances to Crowded H0uses.

~ ~''"'eifSihoiiii pTtSeHteu D] lOcal talent under the direction of Mrs. B. I. Manning, at the Becker S Lewis opera house, drew capacity house Tuesday evening in spite of the in- clemency of the weather, and the success of the first nights perform ance induced those in charge to re peat il Wednesday night, with like success
 About fifty people, counting the chorus, took part in the performance, ana every character played his or her part with all the grace and skill of old and seasoned troupers. The play itself was very pretty one, pretty story, told in pretty song and catchy music, and interpreted by lovely wo- men and handsome men, made q picture long 10 be remembered by those who comprised the audiences on the two nights of it's presentation here.
 The cast was arranged as follows: Princess Chrysanthemum, the en- peror's daughter, a pretty part, was charmingly taken by Miss Lucille russell, who sang and acted her part With all the eonsummate grace and skill Of a trained prima donna. The part of the four maids, To-To, Yum Yum, Du-Du and Tulip, attendants upon the princess, were filled by Misses Madeleine Rollwage, Mai Bog gan, Mamie Lou Fondren and Mrs. Chas Simmons, respectively, and each of these ladies acted their parts to protection, and won round after round of applause from an apprecia- tive audience. Fairy Moonbeam, the princess good genius, was dainti- ly portrayed by Miss Mary German, who was charmingly costumed and Tn excellent voice. The merciful t?) Emperor, What-For- Whi, was taken by MT. Frank SwartZ, who was also in excellent voice, and who had ample opportunity to display his ability as a singer, as well as his talent in an his trionic line. The part had several beautiful solos, in which MT. Swartz' rich bass voice won him an ovation. Princes So-Tru and So-Sli, both in love with the princess, were portrayed by Messrs. Walter German and John Schlosser, respectively, Both these young gentlemen have fine voices and are actors of no mean ability as we'll, and so 1t goes without saying that these two important parts were well taken care of Mr Kirke Becker. as Iop-Not, the court chamberlain, car ried oif difficult role in an able man. ner, as did MT. Wilbur Alley, who in the 'ole of Saucer-Eyes, the Wizard cat, made the comedy hit of the even ing, displaying an art that won him round after ronnd of applause, the audience unanimously voting him the best ever. Messrs. Paul Johnson and James Fondren, as attendants upon the emperor, portrayed their parts with skill, dignity and grace. The Sprites of the Night seven in number, were portrayed by Masters Tom John son, Marvin Norlleet, Thos. Gray, Thos. Fondren, Joe Boone Sanders, Frank Merwin and Willie Bickerstaff. These youngsters played the parts aCSiGno6 f hnn1 xpit h fho of |, and the skill of age, and shared very generously in the applause. Misses Sadie Burd, Ernestine Smith, Francis McDougal, Norma Sellers, Doris Cas- teel and Evelyn Williams, as fairies, and Misses Eunice Terry and Lois Sanders as the flowers, pink and blue- bell, acted their parts with charming grace, and won the hearts of all those who were fortunate enough to wit ness the performance. The Japanese drills given by Misses Mary McDou- gal, Mary Ahlstedt, Goodwin Tip ton, Norton Prewett, Anna Sanders, and Claud Nelson, all pupils of Miss Bridewell, and trained by her made another of the several decided hits of the evening, and covered not only themselves, but their teacher, with glory. And the account would be altogether incomplete If the chorus was not mentioned This important part of the attraction consisted of fifteen or twenty mixed voices, all well trained, and Beautifully expert in their part of the songs.
 Mrs. Manning was assisted with the music by Mrs. Linnie White and Miss Gladys Chinook, both of whom are artists on the piano, and to whom a large measure of the pleasure of the evenings performance is due.
 The lighting effects and handling of same was in the hands of MT. Ben Lewis, well known and skilled ana. teur electrician, and one whose taste in decorative matters is a matter of common repute.
 Taken all in all, the performance