Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1912-05-17
A FINE PERFORMANCE
Presentation Of Band Play Nota.
bly, Excellent
pIauded by Big AudIenee-Laree House
Assured for Tonight.

Local talent productions for the bene-
fit of the First Regiment band have
achieved a reputation for excellency in
Brattleboro and Augustin Days COM
edy "A Night Off" which was presented
in the Auditorium last evening for the
first Of three performances, fully main
tanned this reputation large audi
ence greeted the players and from the
rise of the curtain until Its fall laugh
ter and applause ran riot.
The presentation was the elimination
of weeks of practice, and the manner in
which 1t was received was a distinct
testimonial of appreciation and approval.
There will be performance tonight and
tomorrow afternoon, and on Friday night
of next week the company will give the
play in Bellows Falls for the benefit of
the band there
The story hinges around an imaginary
presentation of a play, which promises to
end in such a fiasco that another play
entitled "a Night or is substituted.
Myron p. Davis was director, also one
of the leading characters, and he is en-
titled to much credit for the dramatic
success. He was director of "Charleys
Aunt" which was presented for the
benefit of the band last year. Several
numbers were rendered delightfully."- by
the augmented orchestra under the lead
ership of c. NJ Dugan. The millinery
parors,. the flowers came from c.. E.
Aliens greenhouses, and the decorations
were in charge of Mrs. c.. B. Crowell,
who frightened up some of the old
scenery in an artistic way. Mrs. A. H.
Brasor was present in the capacity of
prompter. The band committee in
charge of the performances is A. D.
Wyatt, C. NJ. Dugan, A. F, Trendall,
c. w. Henkel, F. c. Leitsinger and Cas-
per N. Moran.
The cast of "a Night Off" is as fol-
lows: Justinian Babbitt, professor of an
cient history in Camptown university,
Myron p. Davis; Harry Damask his
son-in-law, Edward G. Chace; Jack Null
berry. in pursuit of fortune, under the
name of Chumley, Fred c. Adams; Lord
Mulberry, in pursuit of Jack, James P.
| F'erriter Marcus Brutus Snap, in pur-
suit of fame and fortune, under various
| legitimate aliases, Fred C. Cressy; Mrs
Zantippa Rabbit, professor of conjugal
| management in the professors house,
| hold, Mrs. c. B. Crowell; Nisbe, young
est Himp" of the household, Miss Mary
| Fletcher Cox; Angelica Damask, the
| eldest, Mrs. G. B. Hunter Susan, the
"brassiest," Miss Daisy Wells; Maria,
servant at Damask's, Mrs. Alice Croll
| Coolidge.
Act 1 takes place in Professor Bah
| bits home, act 2 is in the home of
| his son-in-law and acts and are the
| same as act l. When the curtain goes
| up on the first act Susan is on the
stage and reads a handful distributed
| to advertise the coming of Snaps Central
| Park Repertoire company that will ap-
| pear in the opera house that week. Ow-
| ing to Mrs Rabbits aversion to the
| frivolity of the theatre no person in the
| Babbtt household had been inside the
| theatre for many years. The professor
appears and it transpires that in his
| youth he wrote Roman tragedy, THE
| Beautiful Sabine" This has been kept
secret by him and Susan, to whom he
has read the play. Angelica and her
| husband come to visit the professor as
Mrs. Rabbit and Nisbe are at the Sui
| phur Springs for a vacation. Angelica
| picks up book and reads that each
man is the possessor of past that would
shock his wife If she knew it. She puts
the question Of Harry's past to him and
| as he Is innocent of anything out of the
| ordinary in his youth he is unable to
narrate any thrilling incidents. Angel-
ca insists that he is deceiving her and
they go home in the midst of a quarrel
Marcus Brutus Snap calls at the profess
sor's home and learns from Susan that
the old man has written a tragedy in
his youth. He prevails upon the pro-
lessor to allow him to present 1t in the
opera house that week, knowing that a
play by local man will fill the theatre
from pit to dome. The professor, anx-
| ious to have the piece presented but
fearful lest his wife becomes cognizant
writes a postal to her and advises her
to remain at the springs two weeks
more. Just as he finishes the card In
which he deplores his hermit existence
and tells her that the house is all upset
and that Susan has left without notice
to nurse a sick relative Mrs. Babbitt anG
Nisbe arrive home unexpectedly and the
professor is caught in his little fib. Mrs
Babbtt promises that hereafter she will
remain at home for her sulphur treat
ment and that the professor will receive
''all the sulphur he wants right in hi
| own household.
By dnt of much scheming on the par
of the professor, Harry, Snap and Ms
be. the play is rehearsed and is read
for presentation without Mrs. Rabbit
becoming aware that it Is her husbands
On the night of THE Beautiful Sabine
the opera house is crowded, but t
Snaps and Rabbits chagrin the play /
hooted and Kissed off the stage. Mrs
Babbitt learns that her husband ha
disgraced the family and a rupture Il
the home life of the professor is Il
prospect. But Lord Mulberry, who ha
been in search Of his son. who is a.
actor in Snaps company and who ha
fallen in love with Nisbe, appears an
announces the engagement OF the youn
folks. The curtain falls on a scene o
happiness.
Throughout the play runs the prett
love story of Chumley, who has left hi
home in England, and Nisbe, and tn
anxiety which is caused Mrs. Damas
by the fancied fast days Of her hus
bands youth and the efforts Of Snap t
, elevate the stage. There is hardly
situation that does not cause a laug
and each character is given almost equs
opportunity to play on the risibilities G
the audience.
Myron P. Davis never was more "a
home" on the local stage than last nigh
: The part was difficult, but Mr.. Davi
met the requirements fully and com
! pletely. His makeup, facial expires
i sions and interpretations were particu
larly good and he was pleasing at a
times. AS a henpecked husband, anxiou
to see his tragedy produced in order
lure a few dollars to his scanty stor,
he Is continually at his wits end I
circumvent the curiosity Of his wife an
bring his plans to a successful conclu
sion. Edward G.. Chace made friend
in the audience from the moment OF HI
first appearance and carried out his pal
to perfection. Fred c. Adams was
many interesting love scenes with Mis-
Cox and he gave universal satisfaction
n leaving an impression OF dificult wor
exceptionally we'll done. Fred G. Ores
a sy was a typical transformer and h
y dramatic gestures as he brought towar
U a successful close his scheme to mai