The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1916-05-19
From SATURDAYS Daily.
Picturesque Shakespearean Revel.

Pictures que Shakespearean Revel.
No midsummer nights dream was
ever SO gay as the picturesque
Shakespearian revels held in the nor
nal school gymnasium last night at
the annual faculty and student party.
Transformed into an indoor garden,
with the walls covered with foliage and
blossoms, and stage setting at the
farther end representing Shake
speare's garden, the gymnasium was
scarcely recognizable. The gaily
dressed figures passing to and fro the
court ladies', the fairies with glitter
ing wings of all styles and sizes, sure
ly they were not ordinary mortals,
but spirits of William Shakespeare's
time called together agin for this one
night of pleasure. Not so, they were
the faculty members and students of
the normal school, and gayety was
their ruler for. the evening.
The gymnasium represented STRAIT
ford on Avon, and William Shake
speare was to be the honor guest OF
the evening. Upon the stage were to be
be presented tableauX, and scenes from
his famous plays, and the throng or
villagers had assembled to bid the
great poet welcome. The mayor and
his party entered with the stately
dignity due to their position and the
occasion, preceded by Miss Gladys
Taylor, who acted as herald, and in
troduced them to the audience. They
were welcomed with loud applause.
Professor j. M. Mcconnell acted the
part of mayor, and with him were
Mrs. J. A. Hancock, as the mayors
wife, Mrs. ]. NJ. Mcconnell as Mrs.
Shakespeare, and Misses Field and
Farr and John G.. Wise as court Ia
dies and gentleman. The honored
party were seated in a special box,
where they might view the pageant
and where the people might know that
the great people were also present to
welcome Shakespeare. The program
opened with song from behind the
scenes, and the herald then an
nounced each tableau as it was given.
Shakespeare first appeared in his
garden. with Comedy reckoning from
one side and Tragedy standing on the
other, and was enthusiastically well
ccmed. President G. H. Cooper acted
as Shakespeare, and was most cor
daily welcomed by the mayor, who
presented to him the large silver key
of the city with an appropriate ex-
preston of the joy of all in having
the great poet with them. Shake
speare gave a poetical and well de-
livered response, and was then seat
ed by Mrs. Shakespeare, where he
might view the presentation of some
I, So ,Nln Nl,O
tableaux were then continued, and the
applause of the people showed their
appreciation of the well staged and
posed scenes. The characters were
faithfully costumed, and the present
alton proved very beautiful Scenes
were given from 'The Masque of
Prospero," Macbeth CAS- You Like
It." Twelfth Night" Merchant Of
Venice Romeo and Juliet" "An-
thony and Cleopatra" Henry VIII,
''King Lear" Winters Tale" "Com-
edy CT Errors" and young lady stu
dents appeared in costume, as well
known heroines from Shakespeare IS
plays. Midsummer Nights Dream
was presented by an excellent cast,
and was beautifully costumed and act
eu WIFI spontaneous SoOu HuiHOT
that delighted the audience. Men
delssohn's Overture to the play was
played with spirit and effect by Miss
Mary Deputy. Following the acts the
lower floor was cleared and group
of young ladies in costume gave a
clever Interpretation of the Morris
dance. This was followed by the May
pole dance, beautifully given by a
group of young ladies, which closed
. the program. During the latter part
of the entertainment dainty maids
, wendell their way through the crowd
and served light refreshments.
Delightfully."- Surprised.
Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Jones of Byron
street were delightfully."- surprised last
evening by party of friends and
! relatives, the occasion being the
birthday anniversary of both Mr.. and
j Mrs. Jones, which occurs on the same
day. The evening was spent in play
ing games, and nice refreshments
lwere served. y4-ss go
<lG