The Bismarck tribune., 1935-04-11
PLAYERS EXCEL IN !,
LAST OFFERING OF
1934r3S SCHEDULE
Emery T. Putnam Gives Not
able Performance in "A Muir.
der Has Been Arranged"

Closing their 1934-35 season. which
has brought the staging Of "Spcoks." :"
Holiday" and "Her Husbands Wife"
to Bismarck, with performances Of
the latter play In Washburn and
Steele, the Bismarck Community
Players Wednesday night presented
"A Murder Has Been Arranged"
three-act mystery drama by Emlyn
Williams, before a fairly large audi
ence at the Bismarck city auditorium
Those who anticipated having a
few thrills and having cold chills
sent up and down their spines by the
performance of the famous mystery
were not disappointed.
The rehearsal scene staged by the
orchestra in the supposedly empty
theatre created an atmosphere of un-
canniness even before the first cur
tain and prepared the audience for
one OF the most dramatic perform
ances given here in some time. The
musicians, who were Clarion E. Lar
son, Ralph Truman, Vivian Coghlan,
George Moses and Margaret Betterly,
are members Of the Bismarck Little
Symphony and were directed by
John Moses In the role of Cavendish.
Cast Is Outstanding
A mystery masterpiece in which the
brunt of the action was carried by
q conversation, which can make for
tediouSlleSs If not we'll handled, "A
Murder Has Been Arranged" made
exacting demands on the cast, one OF
the best assembled to date for a
Players work.
Emery T. Putnam added to the
laurels which he already had won in
Bismarck with his masterful inter-
pretation of the Sir Charles Jasper
role. Putnam has high histrionic
ability and thorough knowledge OF
stage technique. The highly dramatic
moment of his death was carried off
with a nicely rarely found IN the
work Of amateurs.
Herman Peters, as Maurice Null
lens, again gave his generous dra-
matte talent full play In interpreting
q major role. His scene just before
the final curtain would do credit to
actors of much greater age and ex-
perience. His work and that of Put
nam accounts for much Of the ten
sity created and for the smooth
moving of the piece.
Auvurne Olson, appearing In the
feminine lead of Lady Beatrice Jas
per, again proved herself a finished
actress and turned in more than
creditable characterization, showing
particularly fine emotional reactions
throughout her many lines.
Burkett Huey II Natural
Burkett Huey, comparative new
conner to the Players and acting, was
making his second stage appearance
as Jimmy North. His :aaturalness In
acting and spirited Interpretation
both make it happy discovery tina!
he has been transferred from tn
business management end Of the
Players activities.
Anita Cram Peterson, in the char
acter part of Mrs. Wragg. acted vel
and added to the interest. Thelma
Amundson as Miss Groze, Elsie Peters
as Mrs. Arthur and Evelyn Ellingsor
as The Woman all gave splendid
characterizations. Although appear.
ing in only minor role, John Moses
excelled as usual.
The technical staff for the play
Included: Louise Sween, prompter
Evelyn Grace Hermann, settings; A
Klaudt, electrician: Grace Mckee
properties: Kenneth Peterson, house
manager: George Moses, publicity
Earl r. Monson, business manager
L. v. Nelson, ticket sales, and Har'
rison Monk, Richard Tedman anc
William Smith, stage managers. Mrs
Obert A. Olson directed.