South Bend news-times., 1920-12-04
"Sbringtim1e is
Big Hit in First
Stage ShOWing

''SDringtime' was a Veratible hit in
its first presentation at the Oliver
Friday evening. The applause that
ensued at the end OF everv scene
and OF each dance and song number
was something more than mere
praising OF local talent; il was a
mark OF true appreciation Of the
excellent things said and done in the
play.
The play itself was most worthy.
As a musical comedy of youth. ro-
nance and gladness" it lost none of
its three characteristics ID the per-
formance. There is certain
sweetness in it and an undefnable
charm that makes IL something
worth while. The plot is based up
on the wrong luck in marriage Of
two generations of the house Of
Brewster and that OF Standish.
Priscilla Brewster loved Jack Vain
right way back in 1868, but Jack
through the inevitable circumstances
Zone Of them being his comparative
poverty married Primrose the cou-
sin OF Priscilla.
Quaint Scenes and New.
There is a Jack and a Priscilla in
the second act also, and with love
between them too but the read Of
bEghted romance has not yet been
traversed TO the end and they fol-
low even as did those two OF an
earlier day In the last act true
TO the words of Mrs. Elkins, comes
the lifting of grim things and Jack
of 1920 is lawfully welded to Pris-
ella of the same century.
The play is full Of quaint scenes
and new, songs very old and sweet
and pieces of the present day. OF
ancient dances and weddings Of an
ultra-naSty toe. There are furbe-
lows and bonnets, antique fineries
and chic costumes. Elvira East
man, none other than Fanny
La-pides, is a petite bunch of grace
and ease in all her dances and songs.
She seems more than at home on the
stage and played her part TO a
nicely.
Mrs. Harry Barnes, as Priscilla
Brewster, won the we'll merited ap-
plause of the audience again and
again in her exquisite song numbers.
She carried herself admirably in
every scene and acted with a finish
of perfection that made il a pleaure
10 see and hear. Her rendering Of
MY ,iarden of Memories" with
Walter Clark, as Jack WainrighI,
was full of charm. Esther Fulton,
rs Primrose Standish, acted very
we'll and presented a very pleasing
appearance.
Unique and Clever.
Zenobia was played by Madeline
Unger and had the audience tumble
into repeated roars of laughter, By
her actions and sangfroid express
sions in ell her appearances. Among
others might be mentioned Perry
Hall, as James Brewster; A. Kerndt.
as Bobby Brewster, who both were
entertaining in the extreme. The
acting of the iast Jack and the last
Priscilla was superb and drew down
much applause.
There was a dance performance
in the last act that would have done
credit TO any stage. It was both
unique and clever in itself and exc
cuted with an agility and ease that
was truly remarkable. Great credit
must be given to all the players
who took part in the production for
the manner in which everything
worked together and with such har-
mony and ease in the presentation
of the play. More than enough
praise cannot be given TO the Mary
Ann club for the admirable thing it
has done in giving "Springime. 1t
portrayed a love for the true and
the beautiful in the drama and a
cOmmendable striving for the best
in giving such a play as Spring
time" to the people of South
Bend.-T. F. H.