Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-04-13
ORIGINAL PLAYS
WELL RECEIVED
Sock and Buskin Players Give
- Fine Performance for the
Benefit of the Masons.

Three original one-3ct plays, VIII
ten by members Of Professor Fred
erick H. Koch's playwrighting class
were presented at the Masonic Temple
players. The plays we're: Moon
light" by Benjamin F.. Sherman;
Morgan Of Hinchinbrook' by How
ard Huston and B. Melvin Johnson
and Back on tho Old Farm" by
Arthur c. Cloetingh.
The program, which included incl
dental music by Paolo Conte. OF Wes-
ley conservatory and music by the
KEN Temple band, directed by Pro
fessor De La Mora, was given for the
benefit of the Masons and their fam
lilies.
It Is fitting that such an organiza-
ton rs the Masons should recognize
the work Of the playbuilders and play
and Buskin Society. The Banksida
people. augmented by drama lovert
who are working in Mr. Koch's classes,
are doing something vital for North
Dakota. and encouragement, such as
they received last night. is a mighty
stimulant. Recently they received the
same encouragement in visits to a
number Of cities in the state.
Saturday night the Sock and Buskin
players will present three Of their
plays at Lakota. They will give Nor
gan Of Hinchinbrook" and BLACK on
the Old Farm" two Of the dramas
by Clara Struble. which also met with
considerable success during the Easter
vacation tour. The players will leave
the city Saturday afternoon.
The program opened with the Wis
~ualization Of Mr.. Sherman's "Moon-
light" a romance founded upon Guy
de Maupassant's story Of the same
name. The beautiful scenery, painted
by a Minneapolis scenic artist, and
the excellent lighting effects made a
fine, poetical background for the IN
folding of Mr. sherman's admirable
tale. Mr.. Sherman played the role
dramatic, and Miss Agnes O'Connor
endowed the role of Marie with grace
and verve. Miss Elizabeth Kelly and
Bud johnson did excellent work in
their respective roles.
A feature of the performance Of
this play was Mr.. Conte's incidental
music. It always is a pleasure to hear
Mr.. Conte. especially when he inter-
prets his W work, for n realizes
that one hears something worthwhile,
something artistic done as only an ar
Id Soll w H. ~ "0c ~ WILL AA0 IA
provisations.
Morgan Of Hinchinbrook," a red
blooded play Of the far north, founded
upon observations made by Mr.. Hus-
ton In Alaska, came next. The plot Is
q variant Of the old melodrama for
mula for o%ut-doing the villain, but its
treatment 10 original and virile. Some
excellent acting was done in this
piece. Bud johnson made IN admir-
able Morgan. while Wesley Johnston
did a fine bit of work as the villain.
Miss Ethel Halcrow, whose work as a
character delineator has won many
laurels for her. did one of her most
unique, n of her best performances
as Charlie Tack, the Chinese restau-
ran keeper. 1t was an excellent pic
ture to hang in a gallery that already
is filled with artistic contributions. c.
Arthur Cloetingh and liver Musgjerd
were good in their roles. while Miss
Isabel Lackey made a splendid hero
ine.
Back on the Old Farm" MI. Cloe-
Thighs satire On false education. COM
pleted the bill. This play. which. with
Morgan Of Hinchinbrook." made such
a hit on the recent tour, was enthus-
i%astically received last night. Mr..
Cloetingh played the role of ALI. the
Cambridge product. in an excellent
manner, thinning 1t with a fine touch
Of the satiric. Georjean L%enentine did
likewise as the sister. who also came
home with a false knowledge, while
liver Musgjerd and Miss Halcrow con-
tributed excellent character sketches
of their hardy. Scandinavian parents
who are best styled as pioneers. Bud
johnson made a manly young North
Dakota University hero, and Miss
Florence Gallup was a delightful Da-
kota heroine. Wesley Johnston and
Isabel Lackey completed the work
with fine portrayals.
The work of the KEN Temple band
was unusually good. Between plays,
the musicians gave a number of fine
selections.
The adjustable scenery used in the
plays was devised by B. Melvin John
son and Arthur c. Cloetingh. j. H.
McNicol, in his official capacity as
director of the Masonic Temple stage,
contributed to the SUCCESS of the per-
Torrance.