Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1918-03-16
"MASQUERADERS"
HUNDREDTH NIGHT
Finished Performance BY Mid
shipnen. Mid'n Crosley
Matinee Idol.
THE MAN ON THE BOX"
Presented By Capable Cast
Betty Annesley Does Her
self" Proud.

SlilOOluUGSS iudl
oharacterizes all performances given
by the midshipmen, whether they be
theatricals or athletics, the Hundredth
Night Show was successfully given
last night by The Masqueraders."
A large and fashionable audience
filled tn Auditorium, and their ap-
proval marked from time to time
by hearty outbursts of applause Dur
ing the intermission, and previous to
the performance, the Naval Academy
band played a selected musical pro-
gram.
'Hundredth Night" shows are usual
ly given just the one hundredth night
before graduation, but on this occa-
sion it is several weeks less than 100
nights before diplomas will be pre-
sented the graduates. The death of
one of the regiment was the primary
cause of postponement, and later the
leading lady had the mumps, and it
was necessary to wait for her" re-
covery. Postponement did not take
the edge off, however, for a better
piece of work is seldom seen than
that given by the midshipmen last
night
The bill The Man On The Box" has
been made famous by professionals.
There is nothing amateurish in the
play or it's presentation The lines
are clever and sparkle with underly-
ing wit and humor ,and the actors
made the most of this, frequently in
Producing something original to the
delight of the midshipmen in the au-
dience who understood the grinds and
Academy witticisms if no one else did
The story is woven about the ad-
ventures of a young Army Lieutenant
who is home on leave, and for a frolic
borrows the livery of coachman, and
acts in that capacity, intending to
surprise his sister He jumps on the
wrong box, however taking carriage
No. IL instead of II, his own At
the journeys end he kisses the girl
as she alights believing she is his sis
ter, but to his dismay finds he has
kissed a strange girl, and he is ar
rested, taken to police court and
charged with fast driving, abduction
and other things.
The first scene is that in the police
court, and from there on complica-
tions thicken. He is obliged to as
sumo the character of a groom, and
the young lady in the case humbles
him to the very dust.
OF course there is a war time scene
and plans and specifications of Fort
fabulous sum by retired Army Col
Onel to liquidate a Monte Carlo debt
to Russian Count, aspiring for the
hand of the leading Lady" plays an
important part. And, of course, the
plans of the fort that would give away
the Governments secret, are rescued
in heroic manner by the leading man,
all of which forms a pleasing and
spectacular climax. The characters
of the play were well assigned. The
play itself, we'll staged and the atmos-
phere of the entire presentation high
ly pleasing
Midshipman c. A. Collins, Glass 20,
demonstrated that he can take two
characters in the same play and take
them both we'll AS Goldschnitzel, the
Jewish police officer, he was well cast,
and made the part stand out with
prominence. He ELECTED many laughs,
which in itself is sure indication of
success for the character
Later on in the program he was equal
ly good as the coiored stable helper,
William. Midshipman Collins would
make a splendid endman in a black
face minstrel show.
Midsnipman w. H Nesbit, 20, gave
a good impersonation of the other po-
lice officer, O'Brien, and c. r. Klo-
man, was capable police court clerk
and keeper of the "blotter."
Midshipman A. S. Adams is not a
stranger before the Naval Academy
footlights in the Masqueraders' show.
Last night he was capably cast as
Charlie Henderson, the personal
friend of the Man on the Box. At all
times he acted with ease, and gave a
professional touch to the character,
which was one of the best on the pro-
gram.
Midshipman Allen B. Cook, q, i'm
perSOnateQ the character OF tne Judge
of the police court, in a dignified man
ner, and later as the play progressed
he was unbending, and susceptible of
Mrs. Conway's charms.
AS the leading man, Midshipman F.
! s. Crosley, 10, gave a clever and al
together delightful impersonation of
Bob Worburton. the Army Lieut..
| home on leave and incidentally on a
lark that involves serious complica-
tions. Midshipman Crosley possesses
the qualities of matinee idol, and it
was easy TO see why Miss Betty An
nesley fell victim to his charms. He
acted the part very pleasingly, and
proved at the very .outstart that the
character was in capable hands.
But what of the leading lady
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