The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-12-20

The tlrSt three nights or next week
George V. Halliday, director Of the
Grand Stock Co, will present a play,
! which will be called The Black Flag.
The play Is d melodrama in four acts
and The Forum has decided to let the
public be the real critics Of the play
rather than the newspaper critics
The newspaper critics are not thao only
critics who pass judgment upon a
theatrical performance. Every person
in the audience, young or old, expert
enced or inexperienced in theatrical
cording to his or her point Of view.
and in the end, it Is this Judgment Of
the public which counts.
It Is doubtful If many Of the audi
ence realize that they are achieving
results in a critical capacity, but it is
nevertheless true, and they would be
fully aware Of 1t IL they would only
stop to analyze their Impressions.
In conjunction with Mgr. George
Fowler and with a view Of getting the
opinions Of the patrons of the Grand
set down in logical sequence to assist
him in catering to the people of Far
go, in matters both musical AND
dramatic, The Forum herewith offers
to the writer who shall send in the
clearest, most concise, interesting and
we'll written criticism Of this new
| play Il 4dSg wi ~ SNIN-
for any performance Of the Crane
Stock Co.; to the second best six box
seats and to the third best four box
seats, and two seats each for any per-
IformanCe to the ten next best writer's
Or criticisms.
While not desiring to hamper con-
testants in their literary style, it is
necessary, assuming that they are un-
accustomed ito analyze a theatrical
performance, to give them a certain
formula which they should adhere to
or be governored in by their criticism
Of The Black Flag.
The Play.
1-Brief synopsis of plot or theme.
2-HaVe the authors succeeded in
presenting the plot well? Is it con-
sistent and convincing?
3-Have the authors preserved the
unity Of time and place?
Are the characters we'll drawn?
SIS the dialogue natural?
Els there or is there not sufficient
"action?"
lis the moral good or bad?
The Players.
1.-The leading characteristic they
equal in their portrayals of the lead
ing roles to the demands Of the char
| acters? Do they adhere to the char
acters not only in delineation, but in
makeup, dress and manner? What
distinguishes them from other featur-
ed players Of their types, etc, etc?
Are the various members Of the
supporting cast capable in their roles?
| Criticize each one down to the least
important member.
The Producers.
1-Have the producers done their
part in providing proper scenery, cos
tunes, lighting and mechanical effects,
and all necessary accessories to make
the environment desired by the au-
thors?
Criticism should be addressed Crit
icism Contest, care Forum, and should
! be mailed so as to reach The Forum
office by Dec. rs.
Criticisms should be brief as pos
sible under the formula, and should
be written on one side OF the paper
only, and must bear the name and ad-
dress Of the writer. Name will not
withheld.
Helpful Hints to Contestants.
OF course q criticism to make good
reading should be something more
than a mere plain statement OF facts.
The critics own personally may sup
port it, but never o~vershadow 1t. The
lcritic should be satisfied to fill his Of
Zee as satisfactorily as does the ideal
accompanist who supports his soloist
with rare skill and sympathy so that
the work Of the soloist and not his
own will claim the attention Of the
audience.
In reviewing the dramatist's work,
it Is well to remember that Moliere
and all the great writer's for the stage
held to the opinion that complications,
catastrophe and announcement should
be subordinate to atmosphere and
character drawing. The analysis OF
| events must give place to the analysis
lof persons, so maintain modern dra-
matists of the higher school.
The last half of the week, Under
Two Flags, will be the offering at the
Grand theatre. This play Is a
familiar one to all and a timely Of
fering for Christmas week. A feature
Of the play will be a new member Of
the stock company, w. Adrian OF
| Chicago, who comes to fill a position
through the resignation of Randolph
Gray. Mr.. Adrian comes to Fargo
with splendid recommendations and
should draw capacity houses every
night next week. Mr.: Adrian will al
so play a leading role in the bill the
first half OF the week, The Black
Flag.
The orpheum.
Manager Fowler OF the Orpheum
theatre has secured two good bills
for Christmas week, the headline at
tractiono for both havles of the week
are something unusually good. The
as follows: Aliens Original Cow
boys Ministries, a novel scenic sing
ing offering; Cora and Robert Sirnp-