The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1916-08-04

the dignity of their office. Their white
and red robes gave an excellent back
ground for the Senate scene where
Caesar fell. Leroy Macomber as
Pepilius Lenas, looked the true Ro-
man; w. j. RanSles as Metellus, SEN
ator conspirator and soldier, although
a late conner in the cast, proved him
self an excellent reader OF his lines;
Goodall Hutton was a statuesque con-
spirator as the senator, CHINA. Cor
dis Armstrong played Flavius with
just the right touch of awe at being a
member of Caesars personal house
hold.
If the minor characters of this great
drama were so excellently cast and
played, what shall be said of Edward
Jenney, George S. Mills and Arthur
Elliot? Upon these three fall the
great burden of the play and this mag
niicient triumvirate played their
parts with eloquence and all the vir-
tues of the actors are. Edward Jen
ney as Mare Antony was the true
friend, the politician, the soldier, the
orator. 1t Is difficult to praise in
measured phrase so excellent an in
depreciation of so difficult part; the
mob speech with its constant inter-
ruptions, its excitement and turbul-
ence is test for any professional
actors knowledge of his lines The
feat alone gains Mr.. Jenney name as
an amateur actor.
George S. Mills, as Cassius, was al
ways the envious, choleric politician;
quick to anger, shrewd in his judg-
ments, always striking fire. Yet it
was played with restraint and finished
art, always with the right pause, tone,
| inspiration. always with the know
| ledge of the value of a word. Cassius,
as played by Mr. Mills, was charac-
ter the portrayal Of which is rarely
eQualled upon the professional stage.
Arthur Elliot. as Brutus, was of
course, the artist above all else. If
Brutus has ever been played with
| more consummate art since Booth
played the part, 1t has not been re-
corded in theatrical annals. He
| swayed his audience in every scene
and was a reader of lines worthy of
the great master.
The feminine half of the world was
| very small in the Roman eye and as
| tn sufiragists say where is them
| Romans now?" If beauty and grace of
| carriage were characteristics of the
Roman matrons, Miss jeanette Per
kins as Portia and Miss Susan Colgate
as Calphulnia were true ladies of the
great republic. Each has a beautiful
stage presence and one of the six
gifts Of girl" soft voice. Miss
Anastasia Fitsgerald as Brutus page,
Lucius. played the part with charm
and In the tent scene proved perfect
foil for Mr.. Elliot as Brutus. The
scenes with Lusius were played with
a restraint and tenderness that makes
strong contrast with the vigor and
violence Of the main action
In Julius Caesar Bennington has
attained is highest in amateur thea
tricals. The play is excellently adapt
cd TO outofdoors presentation. The
spot chosen for the open abr theatre
has endless charm and beauty. The
voices of the players carry TO every
part of this beautiful place making all
seats equally desirable. If any Ben.
ningtonian is so unfortunate ms to
miss seeing this production of Shakes
poare's political masterpiece, he has
= indeed cause to chide himself
How many times shall Caesar
bleed In sport? The second pre-
sentation will be given this evening al
o'clock at Clark's Woods. The third
and final performance will be given to
morrow, Saturday afternoon at ,
o'clock, Tickets may be obtained al
the store of Mulligan & Roche
Thomas j. Healy.