The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1956-06-22
LOST COLONY'S OPENING
NEXT SATURDAY, JUNE 80
TO BE 766TH PERFORMANCE
Show Began 10 Years Ago. and Missed only the
War Years Because Of Security Requirements:
Now Roanoke Islands Single Important Asset
Bringing Income For Summer Season.
By AYCOCK BROWN

The Lost Colony will launch its
10th season in Waterside Theatre
at Fort Raleigh National Historic
Site on Roanoke Island Saturday
night, June 80, at 8:15 o'clock,
Eastern Standard Time. It will be
the 766th performance of the in
ternationally famous show, by Paul
Green, which gave birth to the
symphonic type of drama which
tells its story in song, dance, PAN
4, tomime and the spoken word.
Since July 4th, 1887, the show
has been presented each summer,
excepting for the four seasons
during World War II when it was
necessary to close the show due
to security measures involving
coastal blackout restrictions. Since
its original premiere the drama,
presented on spacious 100 foot
multi-level stages which can be
transferred from a lavish court
scene in England to an authentic
woodland Indian village or colonist
community in the wilderness
through the manipulation Of an
elaborate lighting system, has
survived fire, hurricanes and mos
quitoes.
"This year we will have the mos
quito problem virtually licked"
General Manager Richard E. Jor-
dan stated today, pointing out that
"inside the palisades of the theatre
which overlooks historic Roanoke
and Albemarle Sounds and has
seating capacity for almost 5000
persons, system of spraying and
Jogging has been established,
which will defeat the insect pests"
"This year too" said Jordan,
Eve have a more accessible park
ing lot and a better parking sys-
tenn which will please patrons and
expedite the movement of automo-
biles carrying patrons to the show.
The State Highway Patrol which
has assisted in handling traffic
congestion at The Lost Colony en-
trance will be at highway ap-
proaches with other trained park
ing lot attendants on the job"
Rehearsals Well Underway
Director Clifton Britton has
trained many new actors, several
having leading roles, and says re-
hearsals which began in early June
are further advanced than during
any previous seasons week end
before the show opened.
In the company this year from
many parts of the country are al
most 200 actors. Many of these are
taking principal roles. For instance,
those who see the 1856 premiere
next Saturday night will see new
faces in such roles as Eleanor Dare,
Old Tom Harris, Simon Fernando,
Dame Coleman, Governor John
White, Granganimeo, Father Mar
tin, Uppowoc, and the Indian chief
Wanchese. The voice of the His
torian viii be new, and will come
from Yale graduate Harvey T.
Warren of Green Bay, Wisconsin,
whose theatrical background goes
back to World War l days when
he was member of the flight
famous Lafayette Escadrille in
France. Another Waterman, Phil
Bruins, will play the important role
of Old Tom Harris.
Britton states that The Lost
Colony was not only fortunate in
having new actors with excellent
theatre backgrounds, but also most
fortunate to have in the cast again
veteran principals to play princi-
pal roles such as Martin Gerrish
in the male lead of John Borden,
Mary Long as the dynamic Queen
Elizabeth, Oliver Link in the role
of Sir Walter Raleigh, Harley
Streiff as Ananias Dare, Grace
Davis as Agona and many others.
Another resident Of North Caro-
lima, Jan Saxon Of Charlotte,
makes her debut on the stage of
Waterside Theatre next Saturday
might in the role of Eleanor Dare,
the female lead.
| Marvin Gordon is back with the
show to choreograph the dances
which this year will have definite
new look but a new man is direct
ing the music this season. Elwood
Keister, musical director Of East
Carolina College in Greenville has
charge Of Lost Colony music and
the 20-person choir or chorus
which this year has many North
Carolinians added to the highly
trained members Of the Westmin-
ster Choir College group. The Lost
Colony Chorus appeared as guest
choir in st. Andrews Church on
Mays Head last Sunday, its first
public appearance under the direc-
ton Of SKeister, and the musical
group won high praise for its
. singing, to the accompaniment Of