Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1917-01-24
LOCAL THESPIANS
SHoNE FRIDAY
Musical Comedy at Opera House
Was a Great Success.

A capacity house greeted the pro-
duction OF 1.-The Princess of Poe"
given last Friday evening under the
auspices of the Cosmos Club. The
play was success, both from an ar
tistic and financial standpoint. The
opinion Of most Of those present was
unanimous on one thing-that with |
but four days of practice, the result
was little short of wonderful. Sew
eral Of the local thespians to appear
in the cast showed exceptional talent,
and the play, as a whole. was greatly
added to, because the cast was we'll
balanced, and the players seemed en-
tirely fitted for their respective parts.
AS is natural in home talent pro-
du "tion, there was some stiffness and
hesitation, at times, on the part of
some, but this is easily overlooked
when one considers the short time a.
lowed for practice. The play was
light, bubbing over with comedy, with
very little of the drama in it. Lack
of action at various times during the
course Of the play, was noticeable,
particularly where the character had
a lengthy speech, where gesture
here or there might have added great
ly to the affect.
Heading the cast was Miss Thelma
Cole, with the International Produc-
ing Company. AS Irma Crosby, the
carefree young heiress to many mil
lions, she was ideal. Having won the
heart of the artist, struggling to make
living by his pictures, she aided him
in every possible way, until by the
help of The Princess, he was firmly
established in Venice. Her experience
in the part, coupled with her natural
talent, enabled Miss Cole to carry the
part without the least hesitation.
Each move and gesture fitted her lines
perfectly, and in the second act, when
confronted by DeKoven, who then
disclosed his real identity, she gave
touch Of real dramatic acting.
The other character played by one
Of the professionals, was Seth Has
kins, the meddling farmer, which was
most ably taken care of by c. A. Gard.
ner. He was easily one of the best
comedians to play before local aud
fence in q long time, and his ability is
best shown in that he had the aud
fence in laughter from entrance tc
exit. AS the shopping old farmer
who was always butting into other
peoples business, and who had the
idea that people who paint 'pitchers"
as he termed them, should be in the
bug house, he got laugh at every
turn. The scene in the second act
with James the butler, where cock
tails, left wings, and the like had hin
badly muddled was great.
About Homer Chase, in the part o.
William Lloyd, the artist, we cannot
say enough. His acting had about it
something so natural, that one coult
not help but think of him as anyone
else but the character he was por
traying. The ease with which he mas
tered that difficult part, and his per
feet freedom Of manner, while on thu
stage, went a long way in making thu
play the success it was.
Henry Young, as DeKoven, the vii
lain, in league with spirits from tn,
Internal regions, made just such vii
lain as we read about, in up-to-dat,
novels, except they don't vanish II
the mysterious manner DeKoven did
He showed a flash of his true self Il
the first act when he commanded tn,
demon to spoil Lloyd's pictures, bu
his best part came in the second act
when he was defied by one Of his de
mons, and was forced out Of tn,
scene in the scuffle which followed
Ac ,hn ho1 ,,0fhsvror IN IN
the play, the supposition is, that h,
returned to the Internal regions. H
did some clever acting with 1rm;
J Crosby in the scene in which sh'
spurned him.
Edna Magnuson, as Hettie Haskins
the little country girl whose middle
name was curiosity, was simply great
Playing a part which allowed the in
PRODUCTION Of much comedy, she di'
} not fail to take advantage of each OF
: portunity. Particularly good, was he
!, scene with Lloyd. in the first act
Helga Berg, in the title role of 9Th
! Princess of Poe fit the part to pei
| lection. In appearance and action
she was every inch a princess.
To Russell Curran fell one of tn
, most difficult parts of the play, an
| 1AduC 6OOu Will a vengeance.
role Of James, the butler gave him
, chance for good acting. His comica
predicament with Seth Hasins, whe
! the latter arrived at Lloyd's home i
2 Venice, will be remembered for som
, time. 1t would have seemed that tn
: scene when Haskins began his inquir
regarding cocktails, left wings an
j. the like, would have brought smil
= to the face of a sphynx, but not s
j. our friend, Mr.. Curran, altho the Who'll
: audience was in merriment, he wen
l thru the scene with the same sombr'
serious countenance, and walked fro1
the stage without the least flicker {
( a smile.
!. Grace Sperry as Mrs. Haskins, wa
;. very good. Her make up and name
of speech carried her thru nicely. Mr.
Wringer a difficult part owing to tn
Irish brogue, was very capably hal
died by Miss Myrtle E. Olson. Mr.!
Soupley, the keeper of the boardin