Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-26
c. ]. CLUB RETURNS
TO HIGHER DRAMA
Mask and Baub|e Group
Gives First Night" Be.
fore Critical Audience.

some of the most notable figures on
the American stage. including John
Barrymore of present-day stardom. the
officials of Georgetown University last
night saw the Mask and Bauble Club
fulfill their earnest hopes of elevating
the declining tone OF student dramatics
at the Hilltop. This fullment came with
the suspicious debut of the newly re-
organized club before one of the most
critical first night audiences assem-
bled in Washington. It comprised as
its guest of honor. Ambassador Claudel
Of France one Of the foremost drama
fists OF the day. and scores Of diplo-
mats. Government officials and edu-
Gators.
Students at Georgetown College gave
the first public exhibition of a Shake
spearean play in Washington more
than 100 years ago. and today the
GEORGETOWN officials take a degree of
pride in the fact that from the ANA
teur boards" at the Hilltop have
graduated to stardom on the present
American stage such prominent actors
as Wilton Lackaye and Willard Mack,
in addition to the famous Don Juan"
Of the movies and Hamlet" Of the
spoken stage.
Gave Little Promise.
Remarkable as it may seem, some OF
those who were classmates Of John
Barrymore recall that as a student he
gave little promise OF becoming even
a mediocre actor. Although he took
failed to qualify for the annual elocu-
Iva ys.t,tet, NF
competed.
Barrymore's talents in those days,
back in the late nineties seemed to lie
IN drawing. 1t was his one hobby and
his classmates thought then that the
e-t IN the Barrymore blood would pro-
ouce IL him a great painter. After
leaving Georgetown, Barrymore pursued
his drawing faithfully for a while and
acquired quite a reputation as an artist
Tor magazines and newspapers. During
his two or three years at George
town. John Drew and Ethel Barrymore
played several times in Washington and
on one notable occasion, John brought
his sister Ethel TO the college where
the students staged an enthusiastic re-
ception il her honor. John Quit his
studies al Georgetown before his class
was graduated in 1902
"lAo3d 11dSA 10 perhaps DeSt Known
at Georgetown for his abilities before
the Hilltop footlights He was a barn
actor and a leading spirit in the
dramatic clubs of those days Charles
Mclaughlin. who gained fame under
the stage name of Wilton Lackaye,
also was prominent in all student
dramatic efforts during his years at
Georgetown. Lackaye received the de-
gee Of Master Of Arts at Georgetown
in 1902 and frequently has returned to
attend reunions Of his alma mater.
George LeGrerre Is Alumnus.
One Of the more recent contributions
q Georgetown to the present stage and
screen is George Le0uerre. who Is now
enjoying prominence on Broadway and
IN the movies. AS student he was
Of 1902.
Tie Mask and Baub!e Club is one of
the youngest student organizations a.
the Hilltop and owes Its existence to the
Rev. W. Coleman Nevis S. j.. dean
OF the college about six years ago. and
en- enthusiastic exponent of Shake
anxious to stimulate an active interest
among the students In Shakespeare
and conceived the idea Of forming a
dramatic club for this purpose. The
idea took quick root and for several
years the club devoted itself exclusively
70 the Shakespearean field It staged
among others. The Merchant of
Venice" Twelfth Night" and "As You
Like t."
But the club found difficulties In put
ting on such elaborate plays, owing to
the inadequate facilities in CASTOR Hal.
About TWO years ago. Shakespeare
was dropped from the clubs repertoire
and farce and George M Cohar. COM
edics succeeded Some of these called
Tor "aapper types" and. while the plays
friends. the Georgetown authorities
sighed for the good old days OF thu
higher art Some years before they
had banned so-caile6 girl shows. -"
after the Georgetown players had taken
p musical SHOW to New York. where I,
was veil received on Broadway for three
nights
Fair Characters Banned.
This year Prof. Gustave J. Dumas.
8 j.. moderator Of the Mask and
Eauble Club. turned thumbs down on
female impersonations generally and
capper" types In particular Out OF
this new policy vas shaped the program
rendered last night in CASTOR Hall in
honor Of the Ambassador of France in
recognition Of his distinction In the field
OF literature
THE Golden Doom and "AIlison's
Lad" selected for this program, are
ho'h costume plays. The former In a
paant2sy, presenting scene outside the
Kings palace IN the NEUROLOGICAL king
com Of Zericon some while before the
fan u Babylon. In The Golden
Doon' the fate Of an empire and D
little boys desire for ne@ pIaything
become linked as facts Of equal i'm
portance IN the web o. fate
'-Aliison's Lad" play Of an Alto
Petner different type. is laid In an inn
IL tie village Of Faringtord. western
Midland Of England. at the close Of the
second civil war. IN 1919 II portrays
the captivity Of hand Of the Cavalier
p.fEy al1ering defeat at the hands o!
Eo9ndheadG
Whether the Mask snc Eaubie Club
viii return 70 Ehakespeafean drama O.
seer fe~ ho.oys In other worthwhile
dramatic fields Is a mater % future
p1'lcy Now that The stage of CASTOR
EsJ .las been enlarged End equipped
WITH flocerE facilities II is probable that
on VI t3hakesfeare's plays viii ~ pre-
fenf%c THIS Spring
The of51cefs " the Mask and Eaub.f
Gao are Joseph Mullen. president: J
Philip CantD, Fice president, James T.
IAHnlasksy, treasurer, Paul A Lyons
feocfc3nR becTstsry. Robert Christie
corresponding secretary. William IL
Powell Di1sintsy manager. James K
EfacY, stage manager, Charles Her
betm2nn, stage electrician, and Pe,es
?sgle, property manager.
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