Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1918-03-23
At THE NATION 8
ME- TROPOL|S

Negro players produce Faus'-Gou-
mods famous opera produced for
the first time by Colorod players
ut lafayette Thoatre- Climax
reached in Negro hrt-Louis w.
George launches new Advertising
Acknowledgement j. Scott on visit
to Negro Cant Onments Mrs.
Charles II. Anderson retires from
Aliens National News Bureau,
2 West 131st St.. New York, N. Y.
March 1.-The climax in the dcvel
opmcnt Of Negro art was reached
last week when Negro players. mem
bcrS of the Lafayette Stock Company
produced for the first time Gunod's
famous opera Faust and which per
haps marks one of tho most ambitious
achievements Of Negro efforts during
the year. The announccmcnt of the
appearance Of The colorcd players in
this famous opera. which takes
months before the players are round
cd into shape. attracted wide attcn---
ton and never before In the history
Of the country has IL group of play
crs received the reception which they
that attended every performance at
the Lafayette in this city last week.
1t was the second anniversary of
the entrance of the Negro into the
drama and the Quality Amusement
Company under the direction Of
Robert Levy, who two years ago took
over The Lafayette theatre dared to
venture with colored actors in heavy
n nT
epoch making turn he decided to offer
for the anniversary number Faust.
The Lafayette colored players had
but one week to get in line for the
great production, but under their
director, Mr.. Forest with devoted re
hearsals they were able to meet the
rigid test and those who saw the pro
duction last week saw ono OF the fin
est versions and interpretations of
this famous opera ever seen in this
country, and MS the result new history
has been made for America in art
development. 1t was the samo per
formancc seen in the great Metropoli
tan opera house in this city and
brought forth the same thrilling af---
feet. The players cought the spirit OF
The great writer made the audience
see it, and showed the wonderful ar
tistic taste and sympathy Of the Ne
gro who before the opening Of the
Lafayette players was disabused III
tho cheap and vaudeville houses.
Here were players expressing lat
cnt talent, which has already mani
tested itself i'm several directions.
nhe aggregation of colorcd players
that appeared III Faust last week is
perhaps ono OF the most talented
group of players that ever gathered
together in America all of them earn
est and devoted students OF the drama.
They showed their versatility now
only by their ability to master the
lines i'll the Opera, but to sing in
we'll trained voices for the most part
the story Of the fan of Doctor Faust
and his back to the good life. The
individual training of each member
came out in the chorus when 1t would
be hard TO find a chorus of young
people who could handle the Iibretto
end OF the opera with more affect.
The scenic affect added much to the
work OF the players and gave the
opera all Of the setting necessary to
produce it. The company was made
up of we'll known performers like
striking and we'll developed talent,
ana who since her appearance with
the Lafayette players in the new
school OF acting has come to the fore
as one or Americas most gifted actres
ses. who as Margucritte in Faust ap
peared to good and distinct advant
age, Chares Oldcn, a young man who
mas fought his way up to the top,
handled the difficult role OF Faust,
Mophisto, the devil OF the story, re
quiring good dramatic background
and versatility was played by VIM.
Townsend, who before his entrance
into the drama appeared with many
of the comedy companies Of the race,
j. Francis Mores, perhaps the most
gifted male performer of the race.
appeared as Valentine in his usual af
lectlVe manner, and a voice well suit
ed to the opera that rang out over
tho theatre. he won now laures for
hlmsclf. Tho other players all Of them
having important parts were Tom
Brown A. b. DeComethiere, Alice
Gorgas Will A. Cooke, Lional Mona
gas. Lloyd Gibbs, David x. Brisbane
Susie Sutton, Inez Clough and l..
webb. The performance was remark
able from many angles, and is with
out a doubt one of the enduring con
tributions which the Negro has made
to art. and holds out to the rising
generation new hope and aspira-
tlon. 1t was a picturesque perform
nnce and these brave courageous pio
neer men and women of the race are
dong as much as any other agency
TO solve the so called Negro Problem.
The Lafayette theatre will ever stand
as one of the most interesting cent
ers Of America from which the Negro
entered this new school OF acting;
from which he has emerged. strong
CT and better than ever. The Quality
Amusement Company made up Of ,
broad minded men like Robert Levy,
Eugene Fillmore and others is doing
much for opening better avenue for |
educated colored men and women5
who want to express themselves in |
tho drama. The Lafayette theatre isl
an interesting center and one cannot
n q ~ ~y