The log cabin Democrat., 1921-02-25
KATCHA-KOO' DELIGHTS
 AS HIGHEST CLASS SHOW
Well Merited Praise Given Splendid Company in Legion's First
 Venture in Plays.

If the American Legion intends to maintain the same grade and excel lence of entertainmt as "Katcha- koo' reached at its first performance at Hauber's Grand last night, amuse- ment lovers in Conway are assured of an occasional high class show for years to come. To say that "Katcha- Koo was good will express the opin- ion of the small number who were moderately pleased with the show. To gv beyond that and reach the super lative by saying it was the best anna teur production ever offered in Con way will express the verdict of many of the audience To say that ii is aH that can be desired in an entertain ment of this nature is to take the safe middle ground. "katcha-Koo was excellent
 Remarkably good stage presence was displayed by the entire cast, which includes even the small tots who faa- tured the finale, Liberty Aflame, ' with others in the cast as back ground. Not often in the theatre have been seen so many small children who master their parts so well as the var ious groups did for this show. As they appeared on the stage, the Yankee Dixie, English Jackies, Ital- ians, Chinese, Dutch, French, Belgian and Sammy groups went through their songs and dances, while the audiences interest continued to mount, giving way only when the ensemble sang Sousas Stars and Stripes Forever" ]" The finale was in every way worthy of the show before it.
 If there were any outstanding stars in "katcha-Koo," it simply was be- cause their parts made them so. From start to finish, the company was ex- cellent Among the men, Keith l.. Holloway as Katcha-Koo, George New bern and Roy Rogers as the two Amer jeans in search of adventure and Will liam Van Nalkenburgh as the Maha raJah stood out prominently and their parts carried forward the action of the play. Not one of the four left anything to be desired in the way of performance.
 "katcha-Koo' presents a bevy of girls. Mabel Thompson and Doris Owen played opposites to Mir. Rogers and Mir. Newborn and aided much to the show by their singing as well as acting. Mrs. William Van Valken- burgh as Mrs. Chattie Gladden. ac- quilted herself we'll in difficult role. As slaves of the Maharajah, Lois Van Duesen and Vida Adams had effec- tive parts which they rendered ad- mirably. The action was lvened up at all times by the four wives of the Maharajah, Dora Ligon, Virginia Rowland, Helen Nethery and Willard Reynolds Mrs. Russell Brown also aided with splendid solo with the Polo Group as chorus.
 Miss Nora Robinson, director of the show, was perhaps at her best n the training of the groups which SUD- piled the color to the show. The small tots have already been mention. ed. In addition, the Oriental Ladies had big place and filled it we'll. The Polo, Auld Lang Syne, Priests and Vel Dancer groups were also splendid. Normal girls composed the Auld Lang Syne group and presented an affective scene with MT. Rogers and Miss Thompson. The scene by the Central girls, with Mary Louise Thompson as soloist, drew rounds of applause and praise from the audience. The song numbers were appropriately selected and we'll rendered.
 Second only to the splendid cast and it's marked ability, the big factor in the success of "Katcha- Roo" was the direction by Miss Robinson. Her work was done under the double handicap of weather and being forced to hold rehearsals in four places and at diff ferent hours with the entire cast not together until the night of the show. To assert that she succeeded is to ex- press 1t mildly. It is to be hoped that at some time in the future, Miss Rob lnson may have opportunity to direct a theatrical here, minus the handicaus she has overcome this time. She has been ably assisted by Commander H. l.. McAlister of the legion, Dr. c. c. Roberts, Russell Brown and others of the post, who have worked faithful ly.