The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1918-03-15
BY MRS. l. G. STAFFORD

The "Captain of Plymouth
given by home folks at the Opera
House Thursday night was in
way a pronounced success. A ca
pacity audience enjoyed every bit
of it, and above $500 was netted
for the Red Cross.
Professor Charles Diggs arrang-
ed the caste and directed the
operetta. With about 6fty players,
which in an amatuer production
is an unwieldy number, Mr.. Diggs
produced really creditable re-
suit, as the choruses were except
ionally well trained.
E. L. Siekmann made such a
fine elder that some have wondered
if he hasn t missed his calling. His
song, "Wail of the Prophet" was
supported by the "Men of Ply
mouth"-Messrs. F. H. Donithorne
John Mccain, James J. Fleming.
W. A. Funk, John Morris, Martin
Michel Edmund Rouse and Dan
Langdon. 1t made strong opening
chorus, and Mr. Siekmann added a
touch of levity by original bits OF
local color, and from his first ap-
pearance the audience was his
Though his decision that Priscilla
must marry Miles Standish was a
blow, he performed an excellent
ceremony when he married the
triumphant John Alden to the
pretty Puritan maid as happy
nding. His costume was a
triumph.
Professor Diggs, with Furnished
helmet and breastplate aud curly
beard, and a sword from the Civil
war, a man quite important as he
saw it, but not just what Priscilla
chose for a husband. made re-
doubtable Captain of Plymouth.
He was we'll guarded by his in
vincible army in red skirts. green
blouses, bright soldier hats. and
wooden guns. They were Misses
Frances Allen, Mary Deis, Edna
Dobbins, Pearl Ford, Vesta LIE
Prouse, Grace Marchington, Eva
Woodward, Dorothy Mccall. Ellen
Petersen, Leigh Pearce, Margaret
Shaffer, Opal Stafford. Evelyn
Stangier and Elsie White. The
girls had been we'll, drilled, and
looked pretty in their costumes
and make-ups. Mr.. Diggs pos
sesses a good voice and used it
we'll. His THE Only Captain
Miles" perhaps gave it best range.
"I'm Sorry that I Said it But |
Did" was clever piece of nonsense.
With Miss Case, daughter of the
Indian chief. Mr.. Diggs sang
Filtration, which was appreci-
ated.
Walter Funk was indeed the
impersonation of a love-sick swain,
John Alden. It's no fun to make
real love to maiden with your
wife in the audience, but Mr..
Funk did it beyond criticism. His
song Friendships Call'' was de-
cided success. In the duet with
Mrs. Florence Zisch, "Love Thy
Neighbor', their voices blended
perfectly, and gave pleasure.
B. Ballantine, resplendent in a
coat Of mail with shield and buck
ler and shining helmet, made a
formidable Erasmus, Miles Right
Bower. His remarks we're clever
and to the point, and the predica-
ment of him and his brave captain
in captivity was laughable.
F. H. Donithone as Wattawamut,
Chief of the Pequots, was we'll
made up, and his song "In Ancient
Days." displayed his pleasing
voice. He was assisted by the
chorus of Indians, Richard Bane,
Halpin Gleason, Jacques Machol,
Merle Redding, Melvin Stephens
and John White.
Dan Langdon brought the chal-
lenge to fight to the captain, for
he was Pecksnot," an Indian mess
enger, and q good one.
Mrs. Florence Zisch, sang
beautifully, and her voice was
never in better form. Her acting
as a demure Puritan maid was
charming. Attired in gray gown
with pretty lace cap, she was ad-
mirable, but the role of the bride
| in beautiful white dress with bridal
veil was perhaps more becoming.