The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1926-05-13
SENIOR CLASS PLAY
ASPLENDID EFFORT
"SEVEN KEYS TO BALDPATE'
WAS AN UNUSUAL STUDENT
OFFERING
JOHN COSTELLO STARS
YOUNG MAN CARRIES SHOW
HIS SUPPORT WAS EXCEP-
TIONALLY CLEVER
By w. B. Morgan

SIuuenCS Caught lIle ehdCI SplIlI VI
George Cohan's melodramatic farce,
"The Seven Keys to Baldpate," in a
performance given at the High School
Auditorium last Friday evening, by
members of the Senior Class. One of
the most difficult of modern plays for
amateur presentation, it possessed
much of the charm the author intend
ed it should. The stage was cleverly
arranged and the lighting effects were
good, quite out of the ordinary, and
a direct compliment to the director.
John Costello carried the weight of
the performance and he made noble
character. He had power, dignity,
and humor. The ease with which he
carried the "lead" was remarkable
for high school student. At all
times he was the prominent and sue
cessful character in every action.
civilian Magee," novelist, was a
true type and John lived the part.
His voice was remarkable as was his
Interpretation of the many embaras-
sing situations that confronted him.
Cohan reveals all of his characters in
a mysterious way, usually in the twi-
audience but it pleases and interests
all. The methods used were slightly
higher than usual, and each single in
depreciation added to the mystery of
the farce, and before we knew it, a
theft, murder, a pack of lies, were
all committed-Oh yes, and few
hearts broken. Peter, the hermit
(Sam Bjone) was as pathetic figure
as he was an actor. Sam added much
to the SHADY" dealing that took
place, by his uncanny chuclde in the
ghost scene, and his 'fhermit-like" re-
marks.
Misfortunes befell Magee (Cos-
tello) as soon as he reached the Inn
to write his story. His innocent pre-
paratories to always elk things" for
his lady fair, Mary Norton( Virginia
Kells,) was the only real source of
any laughter in the production. Vir-
ginia was a charming newspaper re-
porter, and proved to be "promis-
ing" help to Magee. She supported
her part with enthusiasm, skill, and
grace. Harold Claseman offered an
earnest, subdued and understanding
picture of Quinby, the caretaker. Ly-
la Ellison, played as Mrs. Quinby, and
she gave old "Lij" plenty to think
about. "Jim Corgan," (Herman He
DIM thought he comprehended life,
but found out the reward most crook
ed politicians eventually come to, is
the road Of disappointment and re-
morse. Herman acted his part with
a firm and thorough comprehension of
it's value. Vione Steege, as Myra
Thornhill, gave a touch of real COM
edy in her "wise remarks" to Hay
din (Jerome Johnson,) the railroad
magnate. She made a good real
olive" ghost; especially good was her
"death" scene, since the gun Max
John McDermond) used would not
explode. Max might have made it a
little more melodramatic if he had
used the pistol as club instead of
a fire arm. Max and Haydn worked
well together, and were ably assist
ed by their righthand man, Bland,
played by Philip Steiner. It's hard
to imagine Philip thrashing anyone
but Cohan had US believing Bland in
tended to. There were the usual
number of fights and arguments, and
each one was characterized by shoot
ing and the shrill screams of the
women, especially Mrs. Rhodes,
Gamma Robischon). Anna was sim
cere, pleasant widow, and we were all
very happy to learn that she didn't
eventually marry the crooked mayor.
Carl Fischer added the police
chiefs part, and he was decided sue
cess. Ably assisted by patrolmen,
II
/. the chief rounded up the entire "ring
of frauders," and was just about
ready to make a fine get away, when
the owner of the resort Edwin Gray,
made his debut, and the audience
was handed real surprise. The play
was SO finely propelled that one didn't
realize the utter impossibilities of
most of the situations, and the "fixed"
nature of most of the action. To
find the whole affair was a put up
Job merely to teach the novelist how
illiterary. and trashy were his works,
one felt very much fooled because of
the cleverly hidden motive behind the
whole production.
The entire play was a clever piece
of work. Miss Knickerbocker, the
coach, through intensive training and
hard work, produced one OF the best
productions given here. She deserves
many compliments on her excellent
accomplishment and her skill in pro-
ducing plays is recognized fact. This
last presentation was one as human
as was the problem it presented. It
didn't require any excessive mental
agility nor especial receptiveness.
Argument was offered in dramatic
form by means of continually excit-
ing story, well acted. No one failed
to feel the mental stimulus Of "Seven