The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-05-20

Children Will Take Parts in
Classic on Times Friday
Night Air Program.

In the interest of greater radio
programs, The Indianapolis Times
on Friday night, over WFBM,
Merchants Heat and Light Station,
from the studio at the SEVERN will
broadcast, on its super-spring
festival program, Uncle Toms
Cabin with an all juvenile cast,
under auspices of The Indianapolis
Theatre Guild.
School children Of Indianapolis,
ranging from six to fourteen years
of age, trained by Mrs. Bert Merling
and directed by Bert Merling Of the
Guild, will present a fifty minute
version of Uncle Toms Cabin
School children and their parents
are invited by Mrs. w. o. Bates of
the Guild and by The Times to listen
in on this great novelty. Never in
the history Of radio has such
distinct novelty been broadcast from
Indianapolis.
On Stage
The Theatre Guild several weeks
ago gave two performances of the
long version on the stage at the
Masonic Temple. 1t was a great
success, so much so that Mrs. Bates
and Merling agreed to broadcast a
tabloid version with the same cast.
Eastern magazines devoted much
space to this guild presentation Of
a juvenile Uncle Tom" Even the
film dailies sent their Representatives
here to snap the children so that In
dianapolis has obtained national
recognition through the event.
The cast won praise from the
newspapers of the city. Paul Carr,
a 10-year-old lad, played the part of
"Phineas Fletcher" So true and
fine was his Characterization Of this
difficult role that after his first exit
he received a scene call. William
Craigle, an S-year-old boy, played
"Skeggs. the auctioneer," and domi-
mated the auction scene. Uncle
Tom was portrayed by Thurman
Ridge and Simon Legree" by Biagio
Lapento, >14-year-old boys, and Incl
dentally the only two members in a
cast of forty who were that old.
Russell Reynolds, 10, played "St.
Clair" "IIaley, the slave trader,
was played by Richard Frieberg, 8.
Girls
Aunt Ophelia," was enacted by
Agnes Louise Kalleen, -; Eliza"
by Nidrah Dunn, 12-year-old miss,
whose emotional work ELECTED APP
plause. "Topsy," who jes' growed,
convulsed both audiences, Miss Jane
Shere. who played this role is 70.
Little Eva" was played with finest
artistry by Leone Meyers, a 9-year
old. George Harris" was splendidly
and convlncingly played by Max
Healey, II.
The task of mounting and light
ing the twenty-one scenes was ac-
complished by Merling.
Mrs w. O. Bates, the founder OF
the Guild, who has been working
for years to inaugurate children's
dramatic guild in this city, has had
her ambitions in that direction real
Jed Besides achieving this goal,
the 100 per cent enactment by chill
dren on any stage Of the classic
Uncle Toms Cabin" marks a prec-
edent in the history of the theater.
Already this idea, originating and
fulfilled by Merling, has borne fruit
outside of Indianapolis. Chicago
has announced presentation Of
"Uncle Toms Cabin" by children,
modelled on Merlin's idea.
Music by Two Artists
The musical part of the radio
program will be furnished by two
well-known artists. Miss Sylvia
Tschudi, soloist, who is well known
on Times radio programs, will sing
two noted groups oe songs.
The Times takes great pleasure in
introducing a great banjo player,
Tom Carey Of the Gibson Sales
force. He Is being brought here in
interest of greater appreciation of
banjo music.
This super-spring festival program
will start at $50 p. m. Friday.
SIDE INJURED IN FALL