The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1912-11-28
TALENT
PLAY MAKES
BIC SUCCESS

as to present q succession OF appealing
scenes, and with clever plot and tell
ing moral, was presented on Monday
afternoon and evening at Memorial
Hall, under the direction of Mrs.
Esther Marks. With such an excell-
ent play as a basis local actors produc-
ed what has been universally pro-
nounced by the amusement loving
public as one of the best acted and
most effectual performances yet pro-
duced at Memorial Hall, whether by
travelling companies or local perform
ers. Yet their to a great extent the
result of the play in every detail was
EXCHANGED by Mrs. Marks, who was
the directing power and inspiration of
the entire setting and production.
Several good local talent productions
have been seen here in the past year
or two, but public opinion centers more
favorably on "Out of the Fold" than
on any yet shown. The characters
were exceptionally we'll selected in
every role, and each threw into his
part spirit of true effort and highest
ability. Their talents did the rest.
The scenic effects made possible by
the perfectly appointed theatre at the
National Soldiers Home, were realis-
tic to unusual degree.
The writer, instead of assuming the
role of dramatic critic, could gather
even more complete and favorable
comment by simply reporting the
views of various citizens who witness
ed the performance than by attempt
ing any professional criticism. And
yet, the fact the professional criti-
cism is even suggested, but nncon-
sciously supplants any Idea of ametu-
rism, which might occur to those who
did not witness the play. In short,
the concensus of opinion is that ''it is
unquestionably the best ever pro.
duceu"-"while the msntle of charity
is usually thrown over local talent
productions, in this case the mantle
is not neutrality-suspicious. it again by
all means"
Mrs. w. B. Johnson, in the leading
role as Helene Gray" combined her
indispensable ability as an express
ionist with feeling exposition of her
part, graceful acting and poise that
perfected the picture in many appeal.
ing scenes and in each climax depend
ing on this role. Mrs. Tot Wheeler
RatIiffe interpreted the character of
"Aunt Jane Larklns" we'll nigh per-
feet, suiting voice and movement to
the part of the benevolent old lady is
a most realistic manner, and the ex-
cellence of costume was attested by
many in the audience referring to the
program to learn "who it was" Mrs.
Ratliffe was heartily applauded, from
the wings and by the audience, when
at the matinee performance she step
ped out of her role for the moment to
announce that the rushing out of the
fire brigade, at an alarm of fire was
only a fire drill, thus avoiding what
might have resulted seriously. Miss
Regina Eiseman was the village gos-
sip exactly in the role of "Mrs. Cobb" y,
and received round after round of APP
plause for her true Interpretation of
the part and effectually accenting the
prominent scenes, in appearance, poise
and diction. The grace, and express
ion of Miss Angeline Wexford could
have been excslled by few, if any, in
the apt part of "Marie Lathrop" the
citifled rcountry girl, and it would
have required theatrical 'star" of
considerable magnitude to have taken
Miss Leona Waggoner's role of "Suz-
anne Tompkins,. the tomboy school
girl, In as creditable manner.
In the presentation of the play, the
leading man "role" perhaps might
be referred to in the plural
for Mr.. II. B. Cook and Hon. Cy H.
Lyle must share this honor between
them. Both appeared as actors be-
longing the "matinee. idol" class. Mr..
Cook set an excellent standard by
which the role of "Nolan Crane"
would be judged in any other produc-
lion of the drama, and it is doubtful if
any other local actor would attempt 10
equal his presentation. Col. Lyle
made the part of "Jim, the Sheepher-
der" perhaps even more forceful and
attractive than the author intended.
handsome and appro-
priately costumed figure with a SYM
pathetic voice and natural ease of car |
'iage. Absolute silence in the audience !
was the sincerest applause of the eve
hing, in the closing scene of the play,
when Col. Lyle, as the central figure,
With Mrs. Johnson and Mr.. Cook,
the plays most beautiful
picture, holding red rose against q
Woodland background, during the
impressive closing lines. Mr.. Frank
Roam called upon a superb dramatic
alent which responded perfectly in
he difficult role Of daddy Pinch
'acl0n the country editor. His con-
option of the character was ideal and
he rendition more than pleasing. The
70 less difficult character Of "John
the villianous college chap,