Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1913-02-19
AMATEURS DO WELL.
But Might Do Better Are Capable Of
Higher Things if More Ambitious
So Capitals Critic Saws.

When asked 70 attend an amateur
theatrical, the response is usually an
involuntary sigh. unless. of course,
friends and relatives are the actors.
Nevertheless, the little comedy, The
Marriage Of Prince Flutterby." given
last night at the High School, was
quite a success.
of course, there was much to be
desired, but on the whole. the audi
ence seemed TO enjoy itself.
King Clovis. Mr.. George Myers.
was, no doubt, SO accustomed to his
son, Prince Flutterby. Mr.. John Rey-
nolds, committing suicide by drinking
psppy-tea, and being prevented from
dying by havirg his stomach pdmped
out, that the only effect it had on him
last night was an inability to think
right. In tact. with the exception or
a few of the cast, the lack of enthu-
siasm was rather apparent, aud it
seemed shame that the characters
didn't enter more thoroughly into the
spirit Of their parts.
The singing was especially good,
the clear youthful voices ringing true
and sweet through the hall
siiss Elizabeth Redmond. as Nurse
Doodle. was very good and entered
into her part with splendid interpre-
tation which made up to a great ex-
tent for Prince FlutteIby's noncha-
lance. Miss Redmond is a splendid
elocutionist and does great credit to
her teacher. She is always heard
with great pleasure. Her sister, Miss
Milicent Redmond, who took the part
of Queen Clotilda, promises to be
quite a rival of her sisters, still lack
ing Miss Elizabeth's finish.
1t is too bad that Miss Louise
Wells, who took the part as Princess
Rosalaba, disguised as Nancy Holly
hook, and who has the material for a
splendid voice. should take her part
so calmly, even when thrust into the
dungeon, that one feels as though she
were doing great favor by appear
ing at all. Although her tone quality
is remarkably pretty and clear, yet
the enunciation' is so bad that cue
has the desire to ask her to open her
mouth little farther.
Mr.. Thomas Johnson, Herald Mas
ter Jack was quite good and actually
seemed interested in what he was do
ing.
Russell Smith and Henry Segelkin
as guards, were very good, and though |
neither spoke one word, took their
parts in natural manner.
The six maids of honor looked |
very sweet and pretty, and toe
their parts in a graceful, lovely wsy.
1t is shame that the duet sung by
Miss Lucille Thomas and Mr.. Page,
and the encore, in which Miss Eliza
beth Thomas Joined, should have been
what is known as Rag Time" music.
The voices, though unframed, were
sweet and melodious, and suited to a
better class of music. There are so
many pretty little comic songs writ
ten by really good composers, that
il seems wasting time and money to
buy cheap "stuff, which is consid-
cred SO truely American, and of which
the real American music lover is
ashamed.
This may seem very. severe crit
icism, but as one learns through dis
covering ones faults. we hope to see
the same cast give US better per-
formance in the near future. Prac-
tice makes perfect, and a hint now and
then does wonders.
In spite of everything, however,
Miss Bertha Myers, who was assisted
by Mrs. Abe Moss, is to be congratu-
lated, and we hope she will try again.
S.