The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-03-17
MUSICAL COMEDY
PLEASED LARGE
AUDIENCE
Bargain Hunters" By St. Francis
De Sales Alumni Last Night
CROWD FILLED LARGE HALL
Solos by Miss Virginia O'Brien Of
Boston, Former Bennington Girl,
a Pleasing Feature.

Academy hall was filled to eapaci-
| ty with an appreciative audience FRI
| day evening at the initial perfor-
nance of the ST. Patricks day enter
tainment given by the alumni of st.
Francis de Sales academy for the
benefit of the church. The entire per-
| formance was of unusually high class
| and the hearty applause given to
| each act was evidence of the realiza-
| tion by all present of the hard work
and careful preparation by each par
| ticipant. Edward c. Bennett, under
whose direction the evening proved
| so successful, was in complete charge
and to him must be accorded much
praise for his efficiency and jude-
| ment.
The stage was prettily and appro-
priately decorated with American
| flags and shamrocks. Palms and pot.
ted plants adding to the general color
scheme of green. Touches of emerald
on coats and hats OF the audience help
ed out the general effect. The music,
furnished by Hurley's orchestra of
six pieces led by Harold Hurley, play
ed in its usual accomplished manner.
the overture and the intermission, se-
lection, both medleys of Irish airs.
proving most popular Miss Helen
Hurley pianist, accompanied the va
rious parts of the comedy and the
specialties In her usual capable and
accomplished manner.
The clever musical comedy, Bar
gain Hunters" made an act of pleas
ing fun and frolic. To tell the plot.
for there really was one, would spoil
this evenings enjoyment for many:
suffice 1t to say 1t was snappy and
sparkling with wit Miss Eleanor
Murphy, as Sophia Hornswigger, de-
scribed In most laughable way her
troubles in mailing letter and Miss
Mary Healy and VIM. McGurn sang
duet, which. while part of the play.
was little gem In itself. Miss Mar
garet Healy took the doleful part of
Annie Olthing in a properly doleful
way. A quintette composed of Misses
Catherine and Mary Healy. Miss Rose
Morrissey, William Lundergan the
efficient business manager. and Will
lam McGurn and an octette, of these
five with the addition of Mrs. Charles
Harte, Miss Margerite Healy and Wal
ter Nevils rendered selections.
Walter Nevils as Master Piper and
William Kearns as "Scoothly Silks,
both did mighty well and merited
| much praise.
Miss Rose Morrissey sang "Kath-
leen Mavourneen" during the little
play and answered the encores with
'The Low Backed Car" These two
airs were unusually suited to Miss
Morrissey's splendid voice and re-
ceived great applause.
During the intermission the orches-
ira played number of popular Irish
airs among them being Mother Ma
chree." "a Little Bit of Heaven" and
1.-TWO Irish Eyes" The first act OF
the second part of the program was
an amusing little skit by Mrs. Charles
Harte and William McGurn, the latter
dressed as black-faced advocate of
preparedness. They sang ireland. /
Love You in a way that elected
hearty commentator.
Miss Virginia OBrien. who received
her first vocal training while resi-
dent of Bennington, and who, as a
student in the Boston conservatory
of music, recently made her debut in
that city, received a hearty welcome.
She sang I'll Bacio" by Orditi and
gave evidence of wonderful natural
talent, together with assiduous train
| ing. Miss O'Brien has been the pupil
| for four years Of Charles Bennett,
former resident and under his tute.
lage is expected to make an unusual
reputation In musical circles Re
spending to two encores, she sang
THE Passing of the Gael" a plain
tive bit of Irish melody and "The Lit
tie Irish Girl" another snatch of pure
sweetness from the Emerald Isle.
| Miss Barbara Cronin accompanied
| her
John and Edward Whitney and Le-
land Miller sang IF / Knock the Ell
| Out of Kelly" and did some clever
| dancing to the same tune. Misses Ag-
nes and Frances Mcbride. dressed as
| Irish Yama-Yama girls, sang "A Little
Bit of Green" Michael Gilmore, who
was scheduled to sing. was unable to
| appear on account of a cold
| At the conclusion the entire COM
( pany, assisted by the audience, sang
| America" while flags were enthusi-
astically waved by the male members.
The entire entertainment will be
repeated this evening at o'clock.