Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1917-06-21
THEATRE FILLED
FOR CLASS PLAY
High School Seniors Give "Merch-
ant of Venice Up to Date in Ac-
ceptable Manner


Practically every seat in the AL.
Ringing theatre was occupied wed
nesday evening by those anxious TO
see the class play given by the Bara-
boo high school graduates OF 1911.
The production, '"The Merchant or
Venice Up to Date" is comedy, and
while one could see that it was based
on one of Shakespeare's masterpieces,
the vein of humor running through
it would have made it impossible for
one of the old time tragedians to nave
as successfully carried his part as did
the actors last evening.
The play was staged in five acts, all
rather short, but full Of ginger. The
first act opened showing a street scene
in Venice, and here was revealed the
fact that Bassanio, character &C
ceptably filled by Robert Curry, was
in love with POrtia, but in order to
secure her as a wife it was necessary
that he pass an examination i'll Latin
with a high standing. His friends,
football team, well portrayed by Ray
Underkofier, and Gratiano, also suita-
bly, played by Leonard Cleveland, Of
fer their services. 1t is decided to Sc
cure from Shylock pony" or crib to
use in the examination. Leo Rodems
took the part of Shylock and the ener-
gy he put into his acting should put
him ON the top rung of the ladder, if
used in his everyday life.
In the second act room is shown
in Portals house where the examina-
ton is taken by Bassanio. This scene
caused considerable amusement, espe-
cially among the students in the audi
ence, as the sutton for Portals hand
in his cribbing successfully eluded the
watchfulness Of Miss Threedice, the
teacher who was conducting the exam
ination and which part was well taken
by Miss Leora GolImar During this
act Portia and her friend, Nerissa,
were introduced. Miss Viva Mulcahy,
in the role of the former, and Miss
Winnifred Sayies, as Nerissa, carried
their parts in a capable manner.
The third act introduces Shylock's
war, Jessica. Shylock and Launcelot
Gobbo, servant Of the latter. The
character of Launcelot was taken by
Lester Harvey, who, as the jester and
knave, was a scream from start to
finish. His clownish actions did much
to enliven the play. In this scene
Jessica, suitably enacted by Miss
Esther BrOWnell, elopes with Antonio,
and on the discovery by Shylock that
his ward, with whom he also is in love, |
is gone, plan of revenge is disclosed :,
to Tubal, the captain Of rival foot |
ball team that is to oppose on Thanks
giving day the one of which Antonio
is captain. The bond given Shylock
for the return of the pony secured
from him by Antonio required the pay
ment of "one pound Of hair next the
brains" in case the borrowed article
was not returned by a specified time,
which had already elapsed. The con-
spirators plan to both humiliate An ,
tonic and defeat his team on Thanks
giving day by demanding the pound of
hair wherein lay the captains )
strength at a critical point during the !,
progress of the football game. The !
plan is overheard by Launcelot, who, |
in the fourth act repaired to the home
of Portia and there revealed the same. |
The fifth and last act revealed a |
football field with bleachers crowded |
with students and two real, live, scrap |
Nv teams in action. The game is in :
terrupted by the arrival of Shylock
with a policeman, who forthwith car
ries Antonio to court. Glen Orion, as
the Duke of Venice, sends for judge
to try the case and Portia, as prevl-
ously arranged, disguised and accom-
panied by her friend Nerissa, proceeds
to hear the evidence. She decides
that Shylock is entitled to his pound
of hair, after first asking him to show
mercy. But as the bond demands that
the hair be taken next the brains, an
X-ray photographer is summoned. The
latter, in the person of Glen Hill, re-
veals the fact by means of his ma
chine that the young man has no
brains. Portia in learned manner