Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-01-22

success, quite SURPRISING the triumph
Of last year when the play was "A
Roman School" ,+':'
All the young actors were correctly
costumed and the scenery and stage
settings were, so far as practicable.
those of the Golden Age of Roman
history. -
The opening scene was laid at, the
home of Marcus Tullius Cicero, the
great Roman orator, unprecedented by
Charles c. Vigue. The opening of the
scene disclosed Lula A. Page as Teren-
tia, complaining of the lack of atten-
ton she is receiving from her hus-
band. Cicero, who engfossed in affairs
Of state is pursuing with relentless
zeal the intriguing Cataline. Their son,
Marcus Junior (Herbert Perkins) ap-
pears to be a chip of the old block,
scorning lessons and tasks for the
turmoil Of the forum. Lucius Piso
(Stephen H. Ayer) calls on the ma
tron, asking the hand Of her daugh-
ter. Tullia (F1orence M. Preble) for
his son Gaius John H. Tobey). The
girl and her father desire to wait, but
the match making mother sees graf
ification of social ambition in the
proposed match and Tullia consents.
Then follows the bethrothal ceremony,
the drawing of the marriage contract
and the singing of the wedding hymn.
The wedding ceremony occupied the
second scene. Added to those pre-
viously mentioned, Bertha Cobb ap-
peared as Clodia, mother Of the
groom; Catherine Larrabee as the
pronuba. or matron attending the
bride; Marion Worthing as Hortensia:
Lewis Levine as the priest Of Jupiter
and Harold Frost as the pontifex
maximus or high priest. Pear Hanscom
as the lawyer had a part in. the legal
aspect of the proceedings.
The signatures or standard bearers
were Marion Kelly, Mural Briggs,
Mildred Sandner and Edna Chamber
lain. The tibicines or trumpeters were
Gladys Hadley, Elizabeth c. O'Donnell,
Celia Clair and Irene Blaisdell The
lictores or lictors were Matte Sturte-
want ard Maud Heron. The parts Of
Marcipa, Philotima, Trio and Anna,
as servi or slaves, were respectively
taken by Ruth Harlow, Anne Sweeney,
Irving Talberth and leila Horne.
The ceremony was carried out ac-
cording to the ancient ritual First
came the taking of the auspices, with
out which no important act in Roman
times was undertaken. The auspices
being favorable, the ceremony pro-
ceeded, and the bride and groom take
the names of Gains and Gaia, respec-
lively. The pontifex presents the cake
which is eaten by the parties to the
contract and the pontifex offers a
prayer to Jupiter and the fiamen offers
another prayer to Juno. Then come the
congratulations, much like those of
modern days.
But different from the present day
is the departure of the bride, who il
snatched from the embrace of her
mother. The wedding cake is eaten.
the groom throws nuts as a sign that
ne mas put away childish things and
the party proceeds to the house Of the
groom where the bride is anointed and
prays for future happiness.
All the parts were we'll taken. Miss
Preble is petite Of figure and made a
very pleasing appearance as the spon-
sa' or bride, while John H. Tobey, as
young Gaius, bore we'll a manly part.
Two historical illustrations followed
the play and these also were we'll re-
celved. The first was entitled Caesar
Persuaded" Lewis Levine took the
part of Caesar with Charles Vipue az
Brutus. leila Horne as Culpurn1a and
Pearl Hanscom as a servant, The IA
nous episode of "Cornelia's Jewels"
was given by Marion Worthing as
Cornelia, Jack Talberth and. Herbert
Herring as the Gracchi, her sons:
Catherine Larrabee as the visitor and
Maud Heron as a servant.
The High school orchestra played
excellent selections. A social followed
the exercises