The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1918-02-15
Mrs. Briggs of Che Poultry yard

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Mrs. Briggs of the Poultry Yard
The Temple theater was packed last
night, both upstairs and down, and
quite few had to buy standing
room, when "Mrs. Briggs of the Poul-
try Yard" was put on by local talent
under the direction of Mrs. Allie Van
Davis, for the benefit of the Red
Cross. Mrs. Davis herself took the
leading role of Mrs. Briggs and beau
tifully managed and provided for her
four fatherless children. The role OF
Mrs. Briggs is very similar to that
of Mrs. Wigs in "Mrs. Wiggs of the
Cabbage Patch" and like that always
optimistic character, Mrs. Briggs saw
the bright side of the darkest clouds,
and also saw a fortune in the ten
thousand chickens she dreamed of
Matching from a Refrigerator" Of
course happiness and prosperity final
ly came to the entire family when
MAS" dream came true, and when
her two sons "made good"
Mr.. Mel Ferguson as Ralf, was the
hero and as his mother and sweet
heart, Virginia predicted, earned
riches in the city. Miss Beatrice
Boney as Virginia, was the rich
young lady who comforted her less
fortunate neighbor in her troubles,
and who defed her cold-hearted, un-
romantic father, Mr.. Lee, when he
Disappeared of her choice. Mr.. Demp-
sey Mayo, as the stern Mr.. Lee, made
most positive father, and most un-
fortunately offered to pay "Ma
Briggs to use her influence against
the love affair. OF course, he "got his"
from the indignant "Ma."
Misses Lucille Gissendaner and
Catherine Strunk, as Alvira and Me-
lissa, were Mrs. Briggs care-fres
daughters. They were both splendid,
their side acting was especially good
and greatly amused the audience.
Mr.. Wellie Meffert as Jimmy, was
the incorrigib1e son who at the same
time "helped Ma" He was especially
amusing to his friends in the love
scene between him and Miss Daisy
Thornton, better known as Miss Pearl
Fausett. Miss Fausett was Virginia's
friend and was perfectly at home on
the stage, and was the beauty of the
cast.
The role of Mrs. O'Connor, Mrs.
Briggs sharp-tongued but good
hearted Irish neighbor, was cleverly
taken by Miss Caroline Borden. Her
get-up was rich. and her brogue ex.
cellent and she will probably be call
ed on to take similar parts in Ocala's
amateur plays in the future.
Mandy Bates, the suffering maid
en- who began her wedding gown
years before she found her fate, ana
even then didn't have it ready, was
impersonated by Ocala's favorite,
Miss Alice Bullock. She made most
Startling bride in her exquisite lace
curtain veil.
The part of Silas Green, the near
relation, was taken by Mr.. J. J. Gerig.
AS usual, Mr.. Gerig was splendid. He
financed Mrs. Briggs poultry yard,
and was very amusing when he fear
ed the Widow Briggs aspired to his
hand. He later did his best to pop
the question and was progressing
surprisingly well, but that Alvira
spoiled the fun. then when Silas
realized the family that went with
the widow, he proposed to Mandy, and
told her to say Eyes" or "no" quick.
Of course, to the suffering Mandy,
haste in speech was impossible, so
she chopped" into his arms.
One of the prettiest amateur spec
ialties ever seen in Ocala was the So
10 dance Polka Brilliante by Spinder
which was gracefully given by Miss
Margaret Hooker, one of Miss Mar
guerite Porter's most promising pu-
pills. Miss Rockers costume was a
very effective one of red poinsettias
and green foliage. Her dance gave
the audience much pleasure and the
hearty encore brought a graceful lit
tie bow from the second Mrs. Vernon
Castle.
A pretty Swedish singing folk dance
81 See You," was then given by
twelve of Miss Porter's pupils. Their
costumes were fluffy white ones, with
many red hearts as trimmings, big
butterflies ON the back of the frocks.
white stockings and black pumps fin |
ished the pretty costumes. Six of
these maids were blondes and dancing
opposite them were six brunettes
which was very pretty and effective.
Their second number was Danish
folk dance, 1.-THE Shoe Maker" and
they went through the gestures of
mending and making the thread and
mailing the soles. The dancers were:
Misses Mary Caroline Logan, Chiva-
lette Smith, Maurine Gober, Adelaide
Malaver, Elizabeth Murray, Fanita
Cobb, Evelyn Hill, Charlotte Stein
house, Francis McIver, Mary Flem-
ing Rawl, Margaret Gerig and Bar
bara Johnson.