Evening journal., 1914-11-24
THE JANTOR" OFF
THE GARRICK STAGE
Alumni Sketch Cancelled by
Mr.. DOckStader To Please
Some Patrons
"ALUMNI NIGHTS" TO
BE GIVEN, HOWEVER

Manager DOckstader, of the Gar
rick Theatre, last evening informed
the Wilmington High School Alumni
Association that because of several
objections voiced to him by patrons
of the theatre, he had decided to
cancel the sketch "The Janitor" that
was to have been presented at the
Alumni benefit performances on De-
cember and as a feature added to
the regular bill of the Garrick
Mr. Dockstadcr called Harry {. Ma
hafy, Jr.. president of the Alumni As
sociation into conference and told him
that under the circumstances he deemed
it best to cancel the sketch. Mr.. Dock
stadcr said that several of his patrons,
two of whom are women, had complain
ed because "The Janitor" was to be pre-
sented and had told him that he should
not permit the presentation of any act
that would take sides in the controversy
over the High School ianitorship Mr..
Dockstader outlined the situation 10
Mr.. Mahaffy and said he recognized that
while he had an agreement with the
Alumni Association that the latter
could put on the sketch, he preferred
that it should not be given. Mr.. Dock
stader added that he had read and ap-
proved the sketch, and saw nothing in
it that would offend the most sensitive
person similar parodies being given in
theatres of many other cities.
Mr.. Mahaffy told Mr.. DockstadeI
that the Alumni Association had nc
J desire TO embarass him in any way
| and would abide by his wishes and
not put on the sketch. Mr.. Mahaffy
pointed out that rehearsals for the
sketch are under way, that many
tickets have been sold for the benefit
performance -O one Alumnus having
sold fifty-eight-and that the associa
tion had gone to much expense. Mr.
Mahaffy said the Alumni nights would
be held anyway on December 2 anC
l3, without the special act entitled
l"The Janitor," and he hoped al
Alumni would attend.
Mr.. Mahaffy announced today tha
persons who have bought tickets fol
the benefit performances and do no
desire to use them, now that "Th'
Janitor" will not be presented, car
have their tickets redeemed by pre-
presenting them to the man from
whom they we're bought
There is absolutely nothing in tho
sketch that would injure anybody:
feelings" said President Mahaffy TO-
day. when the sketch which woulC
have consumed about twenty minutes
of songs and dialogue pertaining tC
local school conditions was first writ
ten by two local playwrights, wht
went over it and made some changes
so as to remove any possibility o
anybody's feelings being hurt. W.
felt we could put over satire on 10
cal school conditions without an.
sting to it, and ] am sure Mr.. Docksta
der agrees that there is nothing in tn
act to hurt anybody. However, w
will abide by his wishes. | may adj
that the men who wrote the sketci
desired to elaborate il into three-ac
musical comedy, and in all probabilit
this will be done and the Alumni As
sociation will stage it in the near fu
, ture"
= Failure TO present the sketch a
this time is a disappointment to tn
! Alumni Association, which, howeve
E will make the best of the situatio
\ and give its Alumni Night benefits
[ as usual, as the association is
need of money to carry on its PFC
= jects The Alumnae Association whic
r is to present "Alumnae Follies" at IN
4 New Century Club had tickets on
Q for its performance on December
but changed It to the earlier dat
so as not to conflict with the Alumni
benefits.