Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1925-02-11
High School Comedy
Reported 'SBest Ever"

Lancaster high school Thespians
held the boards at Grantland theatre
last Thursday night and acquitted
themselves creditably. The writer
wouldn't say it was the best high
school performance ever seen in Lam
caster but it was undoubtedly the
smoothest he ever saw.
"Stop Thief" a Frank Bacon sue
cess, was the vehicle used to portray
local stage ability. 1t was preten-
tious effort and one in which ability
would show itself or fall down miser-
ably To the credit of the players they
handled the farce and dramatic stu
ations with effect and held the atten-
ton and respect of their audience.
There were few lapses or stops in the
action.
The play revolves around the al
ventures of Nell and Jack Doogan, a
couple of thieves, in well ordered
home in Providence, Rhode Island.
Nell secures entrance into the home
as a ladies' maid. Her real design is
loot A heightened wedding is in i'm
mediate prospect. Nell and Jack turn
the house upside-doWn and upset the
staid members of the family but are
finally laid by the heels. The play ends
with forgiveness for the thieves and a
triple wedding. q
Bethel Carr was convincing as
the brides sister, Joan. Mrs. Carr as
played by Susan Clementson had the
necessary touch of crankiness and
motherliness common to many excel
lent women. Alma Edwards as Caro-
line Carr, another sister, was effec-
tive. Villas hamburger as Madge Carr,
the bride, was what a sweet bride
should be. Evelyn Sherman and Billy
Edwards got away with the thief parts
in a creditable manner. Billy was par
ticularly convincing. He dominated
the scene when on stage and showed
considerable impudence and assertion
which is what his part calls for. Rob-
ert Henry as Mr.. Cluney was Devil
dered and upset as most bridegrooms
are. DR.. Willoughby, his best man, was
well carried out by George Clement
son. Humphrey Groenier took the part
of Mr.. Carr, once played by the Ia
mented Frank Bacon. Humphrey was
excellent as an abSent-mlnded OLD man
who has taking ways but really
doesn't mean to steal.
Ella Hoffman, the clergyman, got
laugh when he pulled missing bank
roll from his pocket. 1t had been
placed there by the thief Ella, upset,
said: 81 wish / had a drink of Whls-
KEY" Billie Schloesser as Mr.. Jamison,
Frank Holmes as a detective, Lyal Go
vier. Donald Vincent, David Cook and
Virgil Perrin as policemen, carried out
their parts well. Glen McKelvey DID
what good chauffeurs are supposed to
do and that is keep still.
For the boy players own good we
would advise them not to walk around
aimelssly so much. The girls were dd-
mirable in this respect. They kept
still when they should keep still and
moved gracefully when they moved.
Standing still is quite an art.
Mrs. Emily Cronin Fawcett trained
the players and handled the stage
management. She was assisted by Ed
ward Bierke of the high school staff.
Virgil Showalter and Jack Calls as
sisted with stage settings and make
up.
The boys and girls i'll the cast
showed real ability. 1t is too bad they
can play but once year. If it doesn't
interfere with studies too much the
Herald would recommend two plays
a year or even more.