Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-02-22

MARKS PLAYS
Dakota Playmakers Success
fully Present Original.
<. Acting.

A strong patriotic appeal featured
the presentation of the prairie plays
of The Dakota Playmakers last even
ing in their February program. Last
nights performance was preliminary
to the Founders Day program which
will hold sway at the University to-
day. The little theater was packed
to the doors as usual, and the audi
cnce was even more than usually APP
preciative.
The program opened with the sing
ing OF the new rousing song of patri-
otisnl, Hail, America" The words Of
the song were written by Frederick
II. Koch and the music was COM
posed by Professor raolo Conte. The
song is one of fine sentiment and ex-
presses the spirit Of Americans ad-
mirably. Tho music is catching and
sings itself.
Good acting chara cterized each Of
the three plays Of the evening. At
the request of many people The
Playmakers repeated the play by Ren
Sherman which made a deep inn
preston on last months program.
ME and Bill" Howard DeLons
again appeared in the part Of the old
shepherd. Me and BILL which he
created last month. His visualizatton
of this character is little short of re-
markable. He was we'll. supported by
Velma Webster. Rilla Woods, ana
Johnston Walker.
The first play a farce by Karl Elm
arson, rewritten from a dramatic
poem by Valhjalmar Stefansson, the
famous Attic Explorer. and first pub
lished in the student" in 1901, was
full OF fun from start to finish. 1,
has to do with the episode which act.
ually tooll place at the University
years ago when S%tafansson was |;
student there. and when a freshman
were we'll carried by Clarence Rob.
bins, as the Freshman. Earle Moul'
trie. and Johnston Walker. Seniors
Ruby Crothcrs. a Vision, and Artist
otle. by himself. The incidental mu,
sic was composed by Mr.. Contc.
The closing piece. a patriotic pla,
of today. made a fine finale for thu
evenings program. Much of thu
charm Of this play by Harold Wylje
lies in it's directness and it's simple
ity. 1t has a powerful appeal. ant
was n Of the most effective thing
done at the University this year. TIL
persons Of the play were adnirabl,
represented by Jean Taylor as tn,
mother of the boy who is leaving 70
camp to- join the National army. FL
mer Grandson, as the father. Agne
O'Connor, the little sister. Harolt
Wylie as the boy. Bernice Ball. a
the sweetheart, and Robert Bennc
as the veteran of the Civil War. Mis-
Taylor was very convincing and di'
a strong piece of acting. MIR. Grand
son, Of the most promising Of tn
actors. again scored a. success. an
Miss .O'ConnOr last entirely captivat
ing as the little girl. Mr.. Wylie'
presentation of the boys characte
was entirely natural. and effective
The playing of Keep the Hon
Fires Burning" by the orchestra un
der the direction of Miss Kathcry
Harris added much TO the atmos
phere Of this piece.
The music by the orchestra las
evening added greatly to the pleas
r OF last evenings performan no.
Miss Harris is a very capable ii
rector, and the enthusiastic applaus
which greeted, the selections Of tn
orchestra was well merited. The OF
chestra will play at the performanc
this afternoon.
The second presentation Of tn
plays will be given on The Play STAG
!, this afternoon at four o'clock. TIL
performance as we'll as the Others h
!, The ~Playmakers will he open to tn
public. Among the special guests E
the matinee will he the members {
the State Board Of Regents who wi
be in session at the University toda:
President-elect and Mrs. Kane wei
among the guests present last ever