The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-05-03
MARK new ERAIN
KENOSHA DRAMA
Players Present 'Kindling"
AS Sample of What ke-
nosha May Do.
UNDER COLLEGE CLUB

/ henoSha Community Players flung 2
| gauntlet at the feet Of Kenosha last
evening in their first presentation,
"Kindling," at the Rhode theatre. The
issue is whether or not Kenosha can
/ intellectually support a dramatic
venture which is decidedly not amateur
talent and at the same time is a COM
munity possession.
"Kindling" marked an epoch in Ke-
nosha's dramatic history. The large
audience last evening realized that at
last the famine Of art in spoken drama
that the city has been suffering for
many years, need not endure. The Ke-
/ nosha Community Players have estab-
| lished themselves as a necessary insti-
tuition, which will continue as long as
it is supported by those whom they
benefit.
Helen Barden is Star.
1t is almost impossible to consider
last evenings play in detail, because
its effect was so entire and homogene-
Gus throughout Helen Barden, altho
already recognized as possessing re
markable talent, has never had role
which SO completely sounded the depths
Of her ability, as the one Of Maggie
Schultz. Maggie Schultz lived and
breathed last evening. When she wept
the audience wept with her; when she
laughed, her audience was happy.
The story of "Kindling" throughout
is deep appeal for sympathy for the
Maggie Schutzes of the world, whose
tenement existence make them prey 20
their environment Every intonaticn
and gesture of Miss Barden last even
ing was genuine and helped to build up
the reality of the character which she
portrayed.
Frederick C0ngdon Director.
Frederick Congdon as Heinrich
Schultz, Maggie's husband, was excel
lently true to life in his character of
clustering American laboring man with
a strength which turned to extreme
gentleness in the capacity of great
heart. The play was staged under the
personal direction of Mr.. Congdop and
it's success last evening was a tribute
to his ability
Mrs. Bates, one of those rare crea-
lures whose sense of humor and in
herent talent for happiness is a com
fort to everyone around her, was i'm
personated by Mrs. Perdita Dewey
Pope. Even though she brought man.
laughs with her brogue and clever cpl
grams, Bates" had a pathetic burden
of her own, in her son Steve, no
account gutter-s2ipe, typical of the
New York underworld.
Other Actors are Good.
The supporting cast for Miss Barden
and Mr.. Congdon was one of the de-
lights of the production. Alice, Mrs.
Burke Smiths niece, Miss Lucille NJ
Gozen. and DR.. Taylor, an inferno from
a public hospital, James ]. Barden, in
PRODUCED bit of the love theme into
the story and fired the play with the
element Of youth and vigor. Miss Marie
Heating as Mrs. Burke Smith, repre-
sents the upper crust of highly organ
lied society, with lorgnette and all the
accoutrements, in a. very capable man
ner. Her dialogue, spok Ken in the af
fected language of the Fhaute monde"
brought many laughs from the audi
ence.
Rafferty, could not have been better
inpersonated had a representative from
Scotland Yard been detailed to the
part. Herbert O.. Swenson, tall, dark,
mystericusly nous tached, took the part
of the detective, who knew his job and
had a sporting sense of humor. Mr..
Rowland, Mrs. Burke Smiths business
manager, a dignifed disciple of "capi-
talism," was we'll taken by Robert Z.
Lewis Steve, Mrs. Bates son, was very
cleverly portrayed by William Esrl
Jackson. Steve and his criminal pro-
pensities play large part in the plot
OF the story. Donovan. assistan- to
Rafferty,, was portrayed by Christopher
Metten.
Proceeds to College Club.
The Kenosha College club in sponsor
ing the play, has also share of the
proceeds. In sponso ring the Commu-
nifty Players, the club realized the OPP
portunity offered Kenosha to witness
the possibilities of a community VEN
ture in dramatics. The splendid pat
ronage last evening was appreciated.
The net proc eeds to the College club
will revert to the Kenosha college
scholarship fund, which has already
helped four young women to secure a
college education.
The German Lutheran orchestra, I'M
der the direction of Frank Haubrich,
furnished a real contribution to the
success of the play by their selections
between the three acts and their over
.ure before the curtain.
The wish Of all who saw "Kindling"
last evening was that Kenosha may be
enabled to enjoy this sort of thing
often in the future through the work
| of Kenosha Community Players.