Evening star., 1938-11-20
-Four 6. u. Production
Leads Are SeIetted
Of Abraham Lincoln
Carl H. Watson, Jr., to
Play Title Role in
Drama Next Month

For the forthcoming Georgetown
University production of John
Drinkwater's Abraham Lincoln" by
the college Mask and Bauble Club
the leading members of the cast Of
As players were announced yester-
day.
The choice for the title role was
Carl H. Watson, jr., a member of
the Junior class from Great Neck,
N. Y. He is said to bear a marked
resemblance to the Lincoln of early
manhood and in addition to this
fact, that influenced his selection,
he is one of the veteran members
of the dramatic CLUB. Arthur Beh-
rens, college dramatic coach, feels
that Mr.. Watson is capable of CIV
ing a sympathetic and understand
ing rendition of the difficult role.
Next in general interest was the
choice to impersonate Mrs. Lincoln.
This role falls to William J. Driscoll,
jr. of Lawrence. Mass, president of
the club and one of its most expert
enced actors. One of the reasons
the Mask and Bauble Club aban-
doned some years ago the presenta-
ton of Shakespearean drama was
the problem of female impersona-
tions. Since then only those plays
having all-masculine casts have
been chosen.
One Exception:
There was one exception two
years ago when the club produced
The Tavern" by George M. Cohan,
but in this case girls from Trinity
College were drafted" to take the
feminine roles.
Because of the historical nature of
the Abraham Lincoln play the club
may be said to have established
precedent in the case of Mr.. Dris-
coll
The role of Gen. Grant will be
taken by Thomas F. Mullahey of
Shanghai, China. James A. Foley,
I'd. of Brooklyn, N. Y. is to be Bur-
nett Hook, chief adversary of Lin
coin, in the drama. and Robert w.
Merkle of the District of Columbia
will play the role of Secretary of
State Seward Robert w. Barritt
of Patterson, N. j.. was chosen to
play the aged colored preacher who
pleads with Lincoln to free his peo-
pie.
Meanwhile. other members of the
cast are being selected and re-
hearsals have begun. The club man.
agement announced the six scenes
of the play. some of which are laid
in the White House, will be done in
rapid succession by means of a
cyclorama and spotlights blotting
out the stage.
To Be Given Next Month.
abraham Lincoln" is to be pre-
sented the night of December g in
CASTOR Hall as the initial event of
GeorgetoWn's sesquicentennial year.
A group of young women from
Washington social circles is being
formed to sponsor the play. Among
. those who have already volunteered
to serve on the committee are Miss
Eleanor Ryan, Miss Stellita Staple
ton, Miss Peggy Townsend and Miss
Elinor' Meem.
The Rev. Arthur A. OLeary, S. j.,
president of the university, returned
from his religious retreat in New
York in time to take. part in the
annual home coming" events that
preceded and followed Georgetown's 5
game with Maryland University. DR..
OLeary occupied box at the game
with a number of guests.
The Law School smoker at the
Mayhower Hotel Friday night, at
tended by all Georgetown officials
and the athletic officials of both
universities, was the principal event
of the home coming" Alumni came
here in large numbers from all Sec
tions of the East.