The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1921-12-15
The Florida's Trip a Great
Success


The Colonial Theatre was practically
filled at the presentation Wednesday af-
ternoon and evening of "All Aboard"
the bright farcial musical comedy of the
John B. Rogers Company, staged by Miss
Lora l. Musick of Pittsburg, Pa, under
the auspices of the Universalist League
The scenery alike in the two acts was
fine, representing the deck of an ocean
liner, the S. S. Florida, on trip to Pleas
ure Bay. The text of the play contained
romance, sport, wit, fun, and msny COM
plications that convulsed the audience,
which was in full sympathy with the
cast and its br ght and resourcefui little
director. There were no tiresome waits,
all were letter perfect, and the theme
was actually refreshing in its originality
and development, Billy Brady, college
boy-Cnarles F. Hammons-vhad lost four
front teeth at foot ball and was sent on
this pleasure trip accompanied by his
sister, Dorothy-Mrs Basil K. Allen--to
recover the nerve lost in the ordell. They
find as they are ready to sail that Billy's
best girl, Beatrice Sloane-Hazel Heald-
and Dorothy's young man, John Thomas
Harold Mckeen-and also Beatrice's
mother are among the passengers. Billy
lost his teeth, his nerve and patience even
with his devoted sister, but as usual all
ends well and every one is happy
Mr.. Hammons, always in the spirit of
his parts, was actually surprise as the
leading mau in this difficult character.
Mrs. Allen, as the leading lady, also won
many compliments for her personal
charms, sweet voice and ready wit as
sister and sweetheart. Their dialogues
together were especially pleasing and
called for much applause.
Miss Head and Mr.. McKeen also sus-
tanned their parts with spirit. The for
mer, very popular young amateur, was
as pretty as picture in her dainty gowns
and sport rigs and the latter was heard
with pleasure in his vocal selections.
Mrs. Sumner c. Pattee, as Mrs Sloane,
Beatrice's mother, had several difficult
situations to sustain but was unusually
fine first, last and always in makeup, in
dignity, in anger, in confusion and as a
devoted mother. Many favorable COM
ments have been paid her.
Walter j. Clifford lost his own identity
in that of Capt. Kidd, the wideawake
commander of the Florida, and kept
things moving after his authoritative
''All Aboardp'
Mrs. Henry Smith was seen for the first
| time among our local amateurs and as
Jenny, the Swedish steWardess, was
scarcely recognized by her most intimate
friends. She looked the part to perfec-
,tion, had an eye to hei business and a
love of fun that brought out everything
her part called for and more.
George Elmendorf did some of the best
acting ever seen On our local stage and in
several instances was as good as many
| professionals He seemed genuine col
ored porter in mannerisms and his dialect
was excellent-his voice deep but dis
tinct. He was applauded on his first ap-
pearance but seemed unconscious of his
hits.
Claude F. Clements and Carroll S. Par
ker as comic sailors were a great asset to
the genuine fun of the entire trip and
sustained their parts admirably as Just
boys.
The specialties introduced in the second
act were elightful-Miss Katherine E.
| Brier sang The Land of Dream, Miss Julia
Chalmers in costume gave Scottish solo
dance, Miss Charlotte Kn0wlton rendered
The Gipsy Trail. Mir. Clifford's recital
of The Wreck of the Julie Plante in
broken French brought down storms of
applause.
Miss Musick was unable to give the
solo dance announced, but was called to
the stage and presented an immense bou
Quet of chrysanthemums, which she
acknowledged with few words of ap-
probation.
The chorus work was as picturesque
and pleasing as the principal parts and
showed talent and training. There was
the yachting chorus, sWeethearts, sailor
girls, cabin boys. bees, fishing girls, over
all girls, nymphs, witches, antidotes and
tourists. The nymphs and witches were
composed of Ii tie girls and were both
wlnsome and dainty. The fishing girls
with solo work by Mrs Allen was most
attractive. The ensemble was very good
and the ragtime wrangle by the prlnci-
pals was full of fun. The bo. office re-
ceipts were $500 95 but the expense ac-
count was large leaving to the Univer-
salist League $153 and the same to Rogers
Company.