Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1921-11-25
SCORE BIC SUCCESS
WITH ST. FRANCIS
DRAMA CLUB PLAY
PACKED HOUSE GREETS LOCAL
STARS AS THEY APPEAR IN
THE MASQUERADE PARTY
LAST NlGHT-FlNAL PERFORM.
ANcE TO BE GIVEN TONIGHT.


sented to two excellent houses at the
Gayety theater yesterday. The local
stars who staged the play under the
auspices of the ST. Francis Dramatic
and Athletic club went on record as
cessful home talent productions ever
given in Ottawa. Full of snappy mu
sic, life and mirth from the time the
curtain raisei on very beautiful
stage and an attractive chorus OF
pretty girls and good looking youths
until the grand finale not single
moment dragged and the audiences
went wild with applause and enthI-
siasm.
| Both Rev Father Casimir Miller,
the head Of the dramatic company,
who had more than any other individ
ual to do with the success of the com
pany, and Harvey B. Dunn Of the Ro-
sella Iura Producing company, who
drilled the talent, were besieged with
congratulations by the members Of the
audience at both the end of the mat
inee and night performance.
| From the present seat sale and the
enthusiasm with which the production
was received yesterday, tho S. r. o.
sign will have to be displayed to
night, when the final performance o.
the play is given
The costumes were exceedingly
beautiful. blending with the back
grounds and making some very ef
fective scenes. The principals are
every one well drilled and the cho'
ruSes worked like perfect units. so
well were their songs and dance steps
trained into them. 1t will be long
[, time before another cast of such tai
ented people is gathered together in
ottawa again. With few exceptions
all Of the people taking part came
from the west section of the city
which demonstrates to excellent ld-
vantage the remark that show di-
rectors have often made, Ottawa pos
sesses more real talent that any other
town CT the size in the United States. y
The entire play is set in a garden
CT a suburban home near New York
City A large number of boys and
girls are home from college attending
a house party at the Home, visiting
with John and Susie Weber. To wake
up their father and mother, put their
rich maiden aunt, the village parson
and the official chaperone Of the girls
: boarding school in coed humor they
decide to give a masquerade party
: Boyish and girlish tricks are pulled
on the senior guests of the party
which furnish much amusement and
: some very comical situations. Cupid
intervenes, throwing his gilt arrow
into several members of the party
and making a very picturesque end
ing.
Many dances and songs add to the
. beauty of the entertainment.
Miss Sophia Jobst in the leading
solo role was one of the most de
lightful characters. Throwing her
self into the character Of boardins
school girl Miss Jobst possessed
| many pleasing little mannerisms ant
! characteristics that added greatly t.
;, the enjoyment of the play. Her won
: derful mezzo-con- alto voice was dis
j. played to excellent advantage in he
Q solo, Alice Blue Gown and in duet
I'D Rather" which was sung will
Edwin Mates and chorus of prett.
girl valentines" In the song "Alic'
Blue Gown" a chorus of small girl
wearing gowns of Alice blue furnish
: ed very pretty background.
William Hossack Jr., who took TIN
. role of Billy O'Donnelly, scored
= great hit with the audience Hi
y work with Miss Anita Scherer a
= Susie Weber was very attractive an
. ldieplayed excellent training and grea
y talent. In their love scenes the
: were original and clever.
q Edwin Mates, as John Weber Jr
n needed no introduction to the Ottaw
public as he has appeared in hume
ous home talent plays before and ha
always scored one of the biggest hit
of any amateur actor in Ottawa.
John Heiser, as John Weber 81
6 was very clever and possessed exec
lent tage presence, and went on re
ord as being real actor. His wor
50 while masking as a Chinese cool
:. was very good.
2, Mrs. William Veith Jr, as Moth
y Weber. depicted the role of fashio
- able matron to perfection. Mrs. Vel
~ has appeared in numerous home Il
10 ent production before, always displa
ling great talent
Deputy Probate Clerk Andrew Lei
az Parsc1 Smith, was one CT the col
CONTINUED on Page 81