Arizona republican., 1916-10-01
DAMON AND PYTH|AS
 |S HE THEATRICAL
 EVENT OF WEEK

fortunate indeed were the nine hun dred or more members of Phoenix Lodge, No. ,, Knights of Pythas. their families and their friends who wit messed the presentation of the new Damon and Pythias'' at the Elks The ater. last Wednesday evening. Under the direction of Charles Ellis, and with cast of thirty, nearly perfect in their roles. the beautiful story of a friend ship even unto death. that has come down through the centuries, was never more effectively staged.
 The old play is a heavy one and an exceedingly difficult one for amateurs because of the long speeches and the slow moving of scenes. The new Ellis version is snapnv. full of action and dramatic interest and carries the play CTS along in the swiftly moving scenes and the intense situations. It seemed more like a professional performance and less like the usual amateur play.
 Mir. Ellis, who personally staged the play. appeared as Damon" and carried his part like the professional artist that he is Clifford l.. Maddox had the heaviest role of the local players in 'Pythias" and he enacted the part to the entire satisfaction of the audience revealing exceptional talent.
 Charles F. Heath was the cruel ty- rant, "DiOnOysius, and in makeup voice and expression he carried out per fectly the role of the scheming gener- al and king. His transition to the old man, one of the subterfuges of the vil- famous Dionoysius. was complete. He wore the many beautiful costumes with dignity and kingly bearing.
 Miss Bernice Warren EgglestOn es- sayed the role of "Calanthe' and T sible to imagine. She handled the part in q most pleasing manner and de- served all the hearty applause she re- ceiVed.
 Miss Anna Monihan was the Grecian wife and mother In her scenes with Damon" where they are about to part forever. she rose to the pathos of the highly dramatic scene and carried the part splendidly.
 Mrs. Bertha ONeil was "Arria," the wealthy widow of Syracuse. Her best scenes were with Calanthe in the last act
 One of the most difficult parts in Damon and Pythias' is that of 'Lu- cullus." A. w. Sandige carried the role wonderfully well and won merited applause The "Philistius' of Welford Drake was all that the part called for. He made an impressive and most dig nified president of the senate D. A. Little. as "Damocles" appeared best in the last act and his harsh and rasping commands to the guard to proceed with the execution made one almost wish the axe was intended for him rather than for Pythias.
 R. T. Harrison portrayed the captain of the guard well and his little son. Robert. played the part of Damon's son to perfection. q. F. Kunselman, R. F.. Insley. H D. Wilson, as the tyrants special cut threats, looked and acted their parts.
 i The Grecian senators were Frank Barnard. J. Fred Powell. c. N. Tod, Robert Hayes. Harry Wilson, c. s. Norman. ]. H. Kinney, H. B. Cl2ry and | W. J. Oliver.
 The financial success of the produc- | ton was due to the untiring work of | Messrs. Drake Ice, Maddox, Little,
 Harrison and Smith, the entertainment | committee
 IL is conceded that Damon and | Pythias." as staged by MT. Ellis was a
 success in every way and there is now
 a well defined plan afoot to repeat the play during the session of the Grand Lodge of Pythians in this city in No vember.