The Denver star., 1916-07-15
DRAMATIC CLUB
IN HIGH FAVOR
New York Organization Gives
Shakespearean Play.
FEATURES OF The PROGRAM
Ambitious Young Performers Make
Fine Showing In Handling Difficult
Parts Of Rare Literary Production.
E. l. Cruss lmpsrsonatss the I'm
mortal Bard Of Avon.
BY JOHN E. BRUCE CRIT"

BY JOHN E bR UCE GRIT.
New York.-The largest audience
ever assembled in the Harlem Casino,
in this city. was gathered there recent
ly, according to the manager Of the
casino, when Ye Friends Of shake
speare, dramatic organiZat ton found
ed in 1914, on the three hundred and
f1ftieth anniversary Of the birth of the
poet, gave a pageant. Shakespearean
revel. which included scenes from some
Of his greatest and most popular plays.
This is the only organization Of anna
teurs composed OF Negroes III New
York city which makes any pretension
to the study of the works Il Shake
speare.
There always have been and there al
ways will be degrees of excellence
among amateurs on their first public
appearance. Some are good, some are
very good and some excellent The ex-
celleut are usually the first arrivals i'll
the hall Of fame. The audience, which
was composed Of the better class OF
both races. was most generous and In
dulgent, and it encouraged thcse am
bilious young people who were show
ing capacity for sustained efforts in
the dramatic art by literally applaud
ing the good points brought out In each
Of the eight episodes.
On arriving at the hall one WAS met
at the door by ladies in Eli-abethan
costumes, who served as ushers and
program venders. These were Mrs. o.
II. Blackman Miss NJ Legal. Miss G.
Penny, Miss NJ. Virgil and Miss s.
Pickering, who proffered their wares
with old world grace and dignity.
very efficient orchestra, under the di-
rection Of c. J. Ford. rendered select
program Of Shakespearean music
throughout the performance, while the
Bard OF Avon. impersonatcd by 2 l..
Cruise. sat like a statue throughout the
entire performance overlooking the
players and the audience without bat
ting an eyclash or moving muscle.
His was the most trying part of the
evening, and so well did he perform 1t
that many persons in the audience be-
lieved that he was an inanimate statue.
For physical endurance he stood the
test well. When the curtain rose
SdSlN ui'SNc' i'i -hl6S anna
Sands. stepped forward and after
fiourishing peal from her trumpet ex-
tended hearty greeting to al! and in
troduced "Mr. William Shakespeare.
Cent who was seated on an elevated
platform at desk, where he listened
to extracts from eight OF his most IA
miliar plays, acted upon an Elizabeth
an stage chapters. episodes. which
showed the historical. tragic, romantic
and comical side OF the greatest play
wright Of the ages.
The pageant was conceived by ER-
bert Figaro. a student Of the Universi-
ty of Edinburgh. Scotland, and char
ter member OF the club Mr.. Ffgaro's
brilliant idea met with hearty support
from the club. and j. +. Bruce was
made general director. with A. A.
Schomburg as assistant. A cash prize
was subscribed. to he presented to the
best actor or actress taking part in the
pageant.
Following are the acts presented and
names OF the chief participants:
FIRST EPISODE.
Macbeth" act /. scene I; act 2, scene
| 1.-Macbeth. p. A. McDougnll: Lady Mac
beth, Mrs. r. a. McDouRall.
SECOND EPISODE.
F., "Othello" act 3, scene 3-Emilia. Miss
NJ. Bell: Iago, II. Eustace Williams.
THIRD EPISODE
"As You Like It.. act 4. scene /: act 3.
scene l.-Rosalind. Miss c. Husbands:
| Touchstone. L. Figaro; Orlando. Roland
| Taylor: Audrey. Miss J. Blanchetts: Celia
Miss c. Franklin: William. r. MaIonsy.