Smyrna times., 1933-11-08

that will never grow insipid or I'm
interesting, which came off last
night and the night before at the
Town Hall, was grand success,
and spoken of on all sides in terms
most complimentary By Saturday
last the larger part of the reserv-
ed seats were sold at so cents each
and before the exhibition, nearly
all the seats in the Hall were like
wise held in reserve. The sale of
tickets was stopped for nearly an
hour before the exercises COM
menced and about a hundred and
fifty persons had to retire and
await their chances the following
evening, which was little better,
as the most of the seats for it had
been secured in advance. After
ali the seats had been filed, wher-
ever there was standing room, it
was taken. The number in the
Hall was $50 and including the
dramatis per sonae, about $50. On
account of the crowded condition
of the stage and auditorium, there
was some delay, the performances
commencing at 20 minutes after
eight and occupying two hours.
The scene opened with a chorus of
Persians singing long live Haman.
The ambitious courtier was repre-
sented by Walter T. Massey, who
took his character with splendid
conception and sang with must
Gals firm voice. Scene second open
ed with King Ahasueras represent
ed by Walter o. Hoffecker in fine
regal bearing seated on the throne
with Haman petitioning him for
the overthrow of the Jews. The
Duet between them was sung with
spirit and accuracy. Mr.. Hoffeck-
er, who has naturally tenor
voice, in taking the character of
the King which requires bass, &C
complished the solos with ease, the
lower notes being clear, rich and
full. Miss Elva Carrow, who had
the place of Queen Esther, never
fails wherever assigned, and it
was not feared that she would in
taking the most difficult role of
Queen. The slight tremor in the
supplicatory passages produced
the proper effect, and in singing
and acting there was both beauty
and force. She was well support
ed in Mordecai by L. Moses Price
who surprised the audience with
his impersonation of the defiant
Jew in withstanding the naughty
Haman. He had a difficult part
to sustain which he did in a soft
full tenor that would have done
credit to other than an amateur.
The lamentation, "Woe is me-" in
act and voice was executed with
fine stage effect, followed by the
Duet between him and
the Queen and the full chorus in
lamentation of the Jewish people,
God is the Refuge of His People"
was calculated to move the audi
ence with its touch of woe and
Zeresh the wife of
the proud Hannah was splendidly
in Miss Mary C. Bell.
Her bearing was that of one bred
courtly scenes and in the
parts she had to assume,
was natural, flexible and musical
throughout. Little Nellie Hustled
took the part of zeresh's child and
10 the parting scene with Hannah
acted like one in real sorrow. Miss
Clara Wilson, as Prophecies, start
led the hall Of banqueting by her
tragic entrance and prophetic
bearing, sustaining her part ad-
Miss Hettie Megear, as
sister, was a success
singing with pathos and sweet
ness. Miss Hannah VanGasken as
Maid Of Honor, sung with her US
ual ease and pleasantness. Zeresh's
Misses May Martin
dale and Carrie Beck, sang their
parts effectively. High Priest,
William H. Bags; Hegai, Robert
T. Cummins; Scribe, James H.
Groves; Herald, Joseph L. Cavend-
sr, were characters excellently
taken and a credit to themselves.
The Queens Attendants, Misses |
Florence Beck and Rena Williams;
Queens Pages, Misses Della Beck
and Bertha Smithers; Queens
Maids, Misses Laura FAIRIES and
Allen, added much to the
brilliant scene by their bright
faces and gay attire. The Guards,
Joseph H. Primrose, Harry Wilson,
Thomas Mccoy, Jr., and Clarence
Smithers, sustained their charact-
ers with military precision and
looked fierce with their battle axes
and coat of mail. The character
Of Kings Pages were taken by
Masters Paul and Townsend JEFF
ferson with boyish grace and apt
ness. The chorus Of boys as well
as the chorus of girls in the tri-
umphal march attracted the at
tention Of the audience by their