The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-11-01
PLAYERS OFFERING
THRILLS AUDIENCE
Halloween Night Entertainment
at Auditorium ID Patron.
lied Generously

A fascinating evenings entertain
ment, ably presented, rewarded the
large audience assembled at the Bis
marck city auditorium to see
"epooks," three-act' comedy mystery
drama BY Robert J. Sherman, Of
tered q . Halloween night entertain
raent by the Community Players.
The same generous patronage &C
corded the Players major production
OF last season, 1.-THE Dover Road"
given on Christmas night, again
was in evidence. Not only the entire
main floor but much o. the balcony
was filled.
"spooks," 4 fast moving drama in
which hair-raising episodes are In
terspersed with uproarious comedy,
has been filmed and has been .
favorite among mystery dramas on
the stage. The fact that many MEM
bers Of the audience had seen it be.
fore but still were attentive ct the
last curtain r. no small compliment
to the group Of players. the efficient
and ingenious technical staff and the
director, r. T. Putnam.
Hall Makes Debut
Brightest spot In the performance
was the introduction OF Otto Hall,
q recent Players find" in the role
or Silas WILDLY, secretary to the
eccentric old man who died, leaving .
win stipulating that hts four heirs,
two nephews and two nteces, must re-
main for three nights in the house
occupied by him for many years ana
which had tho reputation Of being
haunted.
Halls INTERPRETATION Of his role
Wae marked BY confidence and ease.
although 1t was his first appearance
on the stage.
Another newcomer WHO turned In q
creditable performance was Laurence
" Nelson, who was appearing Tor
the first time In the Capital City IN
the part Of Elliott Butterfield. one OF
the heirs. Herman Peters, one Of the
outstanding performers In the F1ay.
ers' group last season, added to MS
earlier triumphs Is Douglas Blackell,
difficult to characterize because Of
his suffering, which caused much
mirth in the audience.
Harrison Monk did Sam. Z colored
servant, with . strong suggestion OF
"Step- Of moving picture
note and established himself firmly
With the adult audience no less than
With the children at the matinee, who
considered tho play over when he was
arrested and no longer appeared.
Miss Evelyn Elltngson. cast In the
other Negro role Of Judy, had the dif-
ficult assignment Of pretending to be
deaf and dumb ana got away with 1t
splendidly.
Feminine Leads Please
Charming In appearance and man
ner was Miss Ella Nor Weber Is Iau-
retta Payne, who shared many ap.
pearances with Miss Mildred Heath.
cast as Marion Blackwell, who as
usual performed pleasingly. Miss
Mary Cowan, IS q nurse, was poised
and exceptionally true in character.
John Moses, q veteran Player, IN
the shorter role OF Inspector Ryan
was crisp and emphatic. playing with
the ease OF seasoned actor. Rich
ard Tiedman. the messenger boy, and
Bruce Doyle. the police officer, made
brief but effective appearances.
The stage furnishings Of early Pc
RODS gathered from several Bismarck
homes were appropriate for the
dwelling Of . recluse and we're assem-
bled with Z nice attention to detail.
Perhaps contributing most to the en-
teftainment were the spook effects
created BY the technical staff, partic-
ularly Doyle and his assistant. william
Smith. The audience was mystified
as Z note was stabbed on door which
opened and closed itself, as page
tore itself out Of book and was
burned In the fireplace and as ghost
" hands reached into the room and
removed objects. A vase exploding
on the mantle-the secret was a pow
erflil rat trap touched off at the right