Evening journal., 1916-05-12

Lively and colorful. with pretty
young society women in resplendent
costumes. with singing and dancing
solos and choruses galore, and many
other elaborate features. the 1916
Pousso Cafe was given its premiere
at The Playhouse last night. BY far
tho most pretentious amateur thea
trical performance ever given in Will
mingtOn. the POusse Cafe was given
with an ease and precision that would
have done credit to professionals.
With pride il is pointed out that the
entire production is Wilmington
made. all the participants living in or
near this city, it being conceived and
coached entirely by Wilmingtonians.
while the costumes are Wilmington
creations. and the scenery was paint
ed by a Wilmington artist An audi
ence of Wilmingtonians-a from
nearby-filled the theatre and by its
enthusiasm showed its approval Of the
Kaleidoscope revue that brought out
so much talent The Pousse Cafe is
for the benefit OF the Home for Merci-
ful Rest
There is no question but that this
show. in which over 200 local persons
take part. is one OF the cleverest and
most distinctive entertainments ever
given here. II was presented in a pol
ished manner. all the more remarkable
when one considers the fact that only
Wilmingtonians comprise the cast and
that the entire production was put on
without any professional help.
Last nights performance was mark
ed by a spirit OF comraderie that ex-
tended beyond the footlights. probably
because many in the audience were
relatives and friends OF members OF
the cast. Previous TO the rise Of tbs
curtain a group OF sixteen men. al
bald and wearing false whiskers
slowly made their way as IL decrepi
down the two main aisles OF the thea.
tre with the aid OF canes and tool
seats in the first row. Small white pen
nants which they carried informed the
interested audience that they were
members OF the "Infirmary Squad.
and throughout the evening they Gre
ated considerable amusement with
their flag waving and noise makers. A
great deal OF fun was gained also
when the ushers handed over the foot
lights lunches Of carrots and greens
to some Of them as floral offerings
OF appreciation from the "old men.
The "patriarchs" we're:
Frank L. Connable. J. Poyntell
Johnston. David Lindsay, Jr.. Robert
Pennington. w. c. Ncsbitt Donald Sat
terthwaite, Joseph c. Lawson. Philip
Carpenter, II. 5. Townsend Frank
Hughes. Henry p. Scott. Fred Blatz.
Robert Wier. +. b. Davis. Jr., +. c.
Ferriday. John Sellers, Mr.. Ketcham
and Mr.. Johnson.
No story of last nights performance
would be complete without allusion to
the wealth Of bouquets and baskets Of
flowers handed over the footlights be-
tween the acts and at the conclusion of
the show to the members OF the cast
and chOruses.
To Mrs. J. Horace Lindsay. who
wrote the musical revue Safety
First" and who staged and coached
the entire production. is due the
greatest credit for the performance.
Mrs. Lindsay has been working day
and night for several months. direct
ing the production.
The Pousse Cafe is a medley oI
dances, songs. clever dialogue. pretty
girls. stunning costumes and beautiful
scenery; in fact not q single detail q
lacking TO make H. q most clever ant
delightful show. The feature was tn,
two-act musical revue. "Safcty First,
with its p-to-the-minutncss and cN
tremo cleverncss.
To Miss Isabelle Wales. who directed
the singing choruses; to Homer Ewin=
who directed the orchestra; to A. d
Warner. Ir., stage manager; 20 J. Hor
ance Lindsay, assistant stage manager
10 Mrs. Richard Resse. Mrs. 4. ID. War
ner Ir., and Mrs. II. /. Evans, who dc
signed aud executed the costumes; {,
Herbert Moore. who painted the scener,
and stage setting; TO Mrs. j. AIontietf
jackson. who acted as properties woman.
and to Miss Mabel Haley, piano accom-
panist, is due q large part of the sus
cess of the production. These managers
have worked untiringly and without
cca sing for several weeks.
Hawaiian Selections.
The first number on the program
was an Hawaiian act by fourteen
Hula Hula dancing girls and group
OF musicians. who played the ukeielos
the native instruments. and who sang
native songs. The costumes we're OF
golden brown satin with straw skirts
ankle ruffs and greenneck garlands. The
songs we're typicalIy Hawaiian. while
the dances were picturesque. Those
who took part In this number were
Singers. Beverley r. Cause; Harry r
Blocher. Edward l.. Kenly; first gui-
tar. Frank Milano; second guitar. r
y. Patterson. Tilghman Il. Johnston
ukeleles. Misses Constance Moore
Eleanor Pyle; Margaret Whitaker
Hartlove. Mrs. Horace Lindsay. Robert
+. Patterson; Hula singer. Mrs. Cum
Minis Speakman: Hula girls. Misses
Laura AmOry. Gertrude Brinckle
Sarah Evans. Jean Evans. Alice John
son. Dora Sexton. Suzanne Speakman
Elizabeth Steward. Janet Thomas
Barbara Vandegrift. Grace Weldin
Mrs. Truman Campbell. Mrs Perlo
Sisler
Miss Mhittaker'S Dance.
Act "B" was dance paniomine en-
titled "The King OF the Black Isles
in which Miss Margaret Whitaker,