Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1913-05-02
LARGE CROWD GREETS
THE HIGH SCHOOL PLAY.
(By Il, +, HI


Sam II. Baker by the senior class of
the Grants Pass high school, will
doubtless ever recall in fond and
grateful memory the extremely en-
joyable occasion, as a more congenial
vehicle on which to display the
varied talents of the students could
scarcely have been selected, nor
better casting of the fifteen principal
parts could hardly have been ar
ranged. And for all this, and more
than this-for her infinite patience,
tact, judgment and unfailing kind
ness through a month of wearying
rehearsals, Mrs. Baker deserves sim
cere eulogy. This estimable lady has
upset the traditional belief that an
impresario must be harsh, uncivil,
discourteous and unkindly.
1t was Mildred Churchills eigh-
teenth birthday and, coincidentally,
it was the eighteenth anniversary of
Marion Dayton, the role she enact
ed in the comedy. Miss Churchill's
wistful and compelling, although un-
ostentatious, beauty and a faultless
elocutionary voice of uncommon
sweetness and power, combined with
a fine order of intelligence, justified
her selection for the leading role.
Her rallying speech, delivered stand
ing on the library table, and her act
ing at the banquet, where she had
scarcely to speak word, yet easily
dominated the scene, shall not be
soon forgotten. Miss Churchills
appearance more than year ago in
the local production of "Pinafore," 4"
and her work last night, eXemplifies
and emphasizes what an exquisite
gift is the human voice, and what an
alluring and Incompatible posses
sion it may become.
And Airline Sweetland was the ad-
venturess; the heavy" villain. 1t
was difficult and thankless part,
and she did it finely, insidiously, Bit
ingly and charmingly Her gowns
were wonderful. Her sarcastic, non
chalant exit speech in the last act
was memorable.
AS a fretful enfroward, young
wife, Pretty Della Jewell, at whose
cradle doubtless all the fairies called
and left their valued gifts in profu-
sion, gave new evidences of her abil-
ity and comprehension, and stamped
anew her dollish sweetness on the
city of her own.
In the role of chairman of the
rushing committee, Marguerite
Cleveland, was intellgently and hap
PLY cast, was as gorgeous as some
glorious butterfly, and radiant as a
fairy godmother could wish her
queen.
Amy Layton as The Imp" was a
wonder, a great scream, an excuse
for pandemic and uncomfortable
roars of laughter. This little girl
showed professional calibre, and was
especially we'll cast.
Edna Cornell, in the busy and inn
portant part of a football enthusiast,
surprised even her admirers by her
cameo-like flawless acting, her true
conception of her difficult role, and
in her scenes with Douglas" was
strong and convincing.
To surpass Jeanette Cramer cast
as an eccentric maid with taste for
literature-a sort of a Lydia Lin
guish type of girl-Mrs. Baker would
have had to delve into the profession
al ranks.
Alice Hansen made much of
minor role and her "bit" with Haw-
kins, the butler, in the last act was
one of the many delicious features Of
the evening.
Gertrude Parker, Bertha and Ethe
McCallister, Vida Counts, Eugenia
Morrison, Esther LaBrie, Fay Say
age, Ruth Bradford, Myrtle Tuttlt
and Reva Hill were easily satisfac
tory in the smaller roles, and helped
to. complete the general feminine
adequacy of the cast.
Nor did the boys work suffer b!
comparison with the girls. Pau
Kinney, as a chivalrous, middle-ageC
lawyer with mouse-colored hair ant
embryo "Dundrearies, moved will
dignity and authority, and wore
dress suit with the ease of Johl
Drew.
Matthew Riddle, the class valedic
torian. en- passe, as the football hero
was sincere and manly, and spoke hi
lines with felicitous emphasis, prope
o.da- ond "a, ovnaliant undarGtandinl