Henderson daily dispatch., 1936-01-29
HOME FOLK SHINE
IN PLAY SPECTACLE
First Commandment" Ex-
cellently Produced in
Two Performances

Those who attended the presenta-
ton of THE First Commandment"
at the Vance theatre last night wit
messed what many believed was the
best home talent production ever of
fered by an entirely local cast Of
characters. It's general theme was
lofty and wholesome and the perfor-
nance Of every single participant,
without exception, was Of an unusual
~ high order.
The play was sponsored 10y the
Henderson High School Parent
Teacher Association, which shared in
the net proceeds. Miss Ball, represent
ing the American Educational Com
pany. was the director. Mrs. G. w.
Knott, president Of the F. T. A., was
general director OF arrangements.
The program was probably the most
elaborate ever attempted by local
talent here Costumes wholly in keep
ing with the scenes portrayed from
the pages Of Holy Writ added much
to the impressiveness of the general
theme and the lighting effects were
finely carried out.
After prologue i'll which 81 grand
father. a part taken admirably by
Rev L. r. Medlin pastor of the
Methodist Protestant church ad-
monished q father and mother to
leave off their evening business and
social engagements to spend their
time with their children and teach
TIE essential principles that build
character. the story took root in the
selling Of the lad Joseph into Egyp
tian captivity w his brothers, then
the Pbarcahs dream and its inter-
pfetation ~ the youthful Joseph. not
only a slave but a prisoner OIL false
charges; his rise to power III Egypt
and the coming Of his father and
brothers TO live out the seven lean
years" in this land OF plenty. Then
was depicted the enslavement Of the
Hebrews in Egypt. their flight under
Moses and their infidelity to God. The
manager scene OF the birth of Christ
closed the pageant.
A choir directed by Miss Dorothy
Jones, with Mrs = F. Shaw as piano
accompanist. sang several appropriate
onthems at intervals.
The father IN the prologue was
Walter II. Stone and Mrs. Randolph
league the mother. with Walter Al
ston, Jr and Wilma Thompson as
the children.
To undertake to pay tribute to the
high character OF acting by individ-
uals would be to overlook and omit
some who stood out, unless all were
named. And any one who saw the
performance would agree that such
would be an injustice Of degree. Yet
the portrayal Of the character of
Moses " Rev. r. F. Brown, pastor
of the First Methodist church, was
superb, TO put it mildly. His work
easily stood out. The role of Moses
was the leading one Of the entire
pageant. and the preacher threw his
whole soul into its impressiveness.
Rev. A. :. Hale pastor of the First
BAPTIST church. and Rev. James A.
Jones. pa tor of the First Presby-
terrain congregation. had prominent
speaking parts among those appear
ing a; The brothers Of Joseph. Or. !.
II. Hoyla. o. Judah, one Of the broth
c-s. took down the part in Il most
impressive way.
Prof. ". y. Payne was the Pharcah
os Joseph's time and T. 4. Rose. Jr..
portrayed lne t'HaIodh VI ihe it'cL
years when Moses was trying to free
his people from Egyptian bondage.
Their selection could scarcely have
been improved upon. Their demeanor
and~ conception Of their characters re-
minded Of the professional. Henry I.
Powell took the part cf the lad Joseph
ald also of Joseph a. governor Of ali
Egypt. He was simply fine i'll that
role. F. f. pinnell made wonderfully
fine Aaron, brother Of Moses.
One OF the most impressive and