Alma record., 1912-06-20
THE SNUGLENAN um Po,
By the Children of the Public School
Proves a Great Success.

The grade exercises of the children
from the sub-primary up through the
eighth grade were given last Friday
afternoon at the opera house. They
consisted of a two-act operetta, The
Smuggleman, written by Miss Eliz-
abeth Rheem Stone. The story of
the little drama is that of eight young
boys who rebel abainst their mothers
plans, and forming an organization
of their own they start out in the
hours of the night to steal their jam
that they may satisfy their desire for
it. They Immediately get into trouble
for they are taken by the "Smuggle-
man." who carries them away. The
mothers appeal to the Fairy Queen" !"
Through her aid the boys are re-
turned to their mothers and the
"Smuggleman" is so thoroughly re-
buked that he repents Of his ways.
The operetta was a remarkable sue
cess in every way. Every act from
the appearance of the young boys
until the closing scene where the
children were sailing into dreamland
were decided hits There was not
single break during the whole enter
tainment
The first act opened with the an
nouncement of the argument by Mas
ter Glenn Campbell, followed by the
appearance of eight boys, who, to sat-
isfy their longing for more jam upon
their bread, decided they would re-
volt Their mothers had provided
entertainment for them the first of
which were the Irish dancers, which
were followed by Mother Goose"
Little Boy Blue" Jack and JILL"
"Humpty Dumpty," and several other
stories and children's songs.
The second part began with the
missing of the boys by their mothers
and through their good fortune in
their heart-broken straights. they
came upon the Fairy Queen" with
her wondrous fairies. The Fairy
Queen" plotted with them for the
rec ecovery of the boys and the great
success OF the Queen caused the
"Smuggleman" to bow before her
and mend his ways.
The part of the FAIRY Queen" was
cleverly taken by Miss Marion Chick.
The little lady won the admiration
of all present by her beautiful sing
ing and fine presence Miss Margaret
Moore was in the role of "Hilde-
gard. As she came upon the stage
in the costume of the Poppy Lady"
she was greeted with great applause,
and her graceful dancing and sweet
voice gained her a like reception
whenever she appeared,
Howard Hanley, as the "Smuggle-
man." was the star Of the whole cast
The young mans remarkable voice
and fine natural presence won for
him many handsome compliments.
The young mans talent is exceptional.
Miss Gladys Findlander, "The Old
Woman in the Shoe" Carts Sarton as
"Simple Simon" Arlin Moore and
Helen Sharrar as "Jack and JILL"
and Lyle Toilette as "The Crooked
Man." were other characters that
were we'll taken.
In the evening the operetta was
repeated to ccommodate the great
crowd that was turned away in the
afternoon and again at the second
performance it was necessary to turn
people away, so packed was the house.
This alone speaks for the wonderful
success. Many had gone there merely
to attend the exercises expecting
nothing more than the usual things
with their bitches and slips. Every
one was surprised for they were en-
tertaned and thoroughly so through
out the entire performance. Every
thing was in readiness to hold the
operetta at Wright Park, but the rain
in the morning made it necessary to
hold it in the opera house.
The greatest credit is due to Miss
Harriet McGraham for the fine train
ing of the young people and smooth
way that the show went off Most
of the training was done under her
direct supervision and after school
hours. The Misses Turner and Brown
trained the Irish dancers. No small
credit is due to the parents and
teachers. The beautiful costumes
were made by the parents and the
willingness and hearty cooperation
they gave to the enterprise is heart
lily appreciated by all who had to do
with the putting on of the operetta
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