Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-02-17

.'ehieNefneHt IN local amateur produce
lions. 1t was all of that--and even
more. All those little niceties of act
ing that go to- make a good comedy
and a comedy is, after all, one of the
hardest brands of entertainment to
present well-were decidedly in evil
dence. From every point of view
entertainment, portrayal and appreeia-
tion-the presentation of 1.-THE Hot
tentot' was unqualifiedly successful.
A pleasurable air of suppressed am
tlclpated excitement, such as prevails
at society race track events, pervaded
the audience at City hall before the
curtain was lifted on the portrayal of
the fascinating play.
From the time the curtain went UP
on the opening scene until the final
drop, the players held the closest at
tention of the audience through Sc
ries of destinations and funny
misunderstanding grouped about the
principal characters, each of whom so
successfully interpreted'his or her. role
that the audience was completely cap
tivated.
The play was race track theme eff
fectively woven into series of stu
ations surrounding Thoroughbred
race horse having temperament cap
able of being handled only by one
possessing exceptional skill in the art
of jockeying. AS the story unrolls it
discloses the ever appealing love
story through which flashes sparkling,
rapid-firing bits of humor.
The opening scene was laid at the
country home of Mr.. and Mrs. Ollie
Guilford on Long Island, whose parts
We're taken by r. Halsey Jackson and
Mrs. Warren B. Sanborn, who were
most excellent and pleasing in their
representations of the genial and ever
|, mindful host and hostess, and not
aliens to occasional tiffs relative to
servant management such as may be
experienced In any we'll regulated
home. The annual classic steepchase
was to take place the next day and
everyone was suhbling over with en-
thusiasm as to the possibilities of
their favorite mount winning the COW
eted cup. No>one In the company was
more enthusiastic over the event than
Peggy Fairfax'' Miss Katherine Hol-
way). who was also restleSsly await
ing the arrival of Sam Harrington
(Arthur Merrill), whom she had pre-
viously met while in California and
who, owing to circumstances, she had
mistaken for noted steeplechase rider
having the same name.
Miss Holway was most charming
in her impersonation of the capti-
waiting Peggy and fully capable OF
carrying out her part to perfection.
Bubbling over with pep from the
moment she appeared on the stage.
she managed to keep things lively
and was delightfully."- refreshing and
vivacious. The part of Sam was
most ably and effectively handled by
Arthur S. Merrill, the situations re-
sulting from his laundering into a
Jockeys job being screamingly fun
ny and giving an excellent oppor-
tnnity for real acting, which Mr..
Merrill proved himself we'll capable
of handling. His efforts were most
heartily appreciated by the audience.
which gave him generous applause.
Upon the arrival of Sam, he was
! also mistaken for his famous name
sake by Perkins" the groom-Don-
aid @. Burleigh-and found himself
, forced to ride the ferocious and un-
goEernable ''Hottentot." Mr.. Bur-
, leigh was most excellent in his part
and showed himself adequate for
his role.
As the play unfolded Sam. who.
it SO happened had an abject terror
of horses, owing to a terrifying ex-
perience through which he had
passed six years before. the mental
effect of which he had never been
able to overcome, found himself
falling in love with the fascinating
Peggy, and while he dreaded beyond
words the approach of the classic
race the following day, he pIuckily
consented to ride Peggy's own horse,
"Bountiful," after she had requested
him not to ride the "Hottentot." and
gamely feigned that he was elated
with the prospect of winning the
great race for her, while at the
same time he secretly planned with
the sympathiZing butler to conceal
the horse in order that he might
not be forced to go through the ter
rifying ordeal of riding the animal.
The complications arising and the
ludlcrous and unexpected situations
which ensued occupied the second
act and kept the audience in gales
of laughter interspersed with well
merited applause.
Frank ]. McArdle, who imper-
sonated Swift, the Butler" was
most excellent IN his part, proving
himself capable of filling role
which only a very clever amateur
actor could execute. John Goodwin
took the part of Larry Crawford"
in a very faithful Characterization
of the Tilted lover, which showed
much talent and clever acting. and
deserves much credit. The part TAX
en- by Belle Smith Savage was es-
pecially well acted,N Mrs. Sava &c
showing much talent in her por-
trayal of Carol Chadwick" merry
widow, whom she unprecedented most
attractively, showing the results of
her training in amateur theatricals
Mrs. Mary Burleigh as "Celise,"
the maid, performed her duties in a
very pleasing and satisfactory man.
rer, handling her Tart in fashion
worthy of much credit. while How
ard Beale as ALEX Fairfax" owner
of "Hottentot." showed his ability in
Interpreting the role of a true sports
man and was most excellent in the
performance of his part.
AT last the great race day arrived
and In the third act Sam declared
to Peggy his great love and confess
ed his terror for horses caused by his
unfortunate experience. He also
avowed his determination to be q
rider in the race. under her colors.
on the wild "Hottentot." (which he,
had purchased and presented as a
gift to her. The race proved swift
and furious and at times almost fatal
to Sam, but ere it came to a finish
he had conquered the before unman-
agable "Hottentot" and like all well
managed events, won the race ana
the captivating Peggy.
Much credit is due the cast and
general entertainment committee,
consisting of Donald Q. Burleigh.
chairman, Milton. s. Kimball, Theo-
dore Emery, O.. B.. Frost. Walter D.