The coastland times with which is combined the pilot and herald of Belhaven and Swan Quarter. [volume] (Manteo, N.C.) 1959-1973, 1962-06-22
ACTORS
Continued from Page One)

had been shining in the Lost
Colony office at midnight as
Edgar Thomas, the new "Col-
ony" general manager, finished
some last minute work in prep
aration for the July l, opening.
Cliff Britton, director of the
drama since 1861, arrived last
Monday, exhausted from his eff
forts at supervising his recent
ly-authored play unto These
Hills" which was produced in
Goldsboro during May 1922. The
drama, which depicts the efforts
of Shriners to bring spiritual
and material aid to crippled
children, has been listed as a
tremendous success.
Cliff left, just after his arri-
val, in a perspiring frenzy, to
judge a beauty contest in Roa-
noke Rapids; he returned last
Thursday to begin preparations
for rehearsals which begin on
Monday at nine sharp.
Larry McMullen, the casts
new assistant director, was due
in town last Friday. The husky
former fullback at the Univer-
sity was, as most folks remem-
Der, Manteo during last years
production of the symphonic
drama. 1t will be his first year
for directional duties.
Walter Stroud, the shows
photographer has been busy
since last Wednesday at the
theater, putting from IS to 20
young dancers through every
gyration except "The Twist" in
an effort to keep the dancers
in shape for opening night on
July 1.
Most of the cast members
expressed enthusiasm about the
Silver Anniversary Year of "The
Colony" Robert Grubbs, a new
conner to the cast, who will be
playing Sir Walter Raleigh in
July, mentioned that he was
"very excited" about the play,
but felt that this year, the 375th
Anniversary of the Birth of Vir-
ginia Dare, will "offer a real
challenge to be at your BEST"
Any apprehension which the
new members may feel are ex-
pected to be relieved by words
of assurance from such veterans
as Mary Long, Queen Elizabeth,
who is doing her ninth season
in the role and Marjalene
Thomas, who has been with the
show since its second year. Mrs
Thomas, a Manteo native, has
received consistent acclaim for
her performances as Eleanor
Dare. Mrs. Long has returned
from Washington where she won
huzzahs for the recent skit
which she authored for a party
at the Brazilian Embassy.
Three newcomers will be play
ing lead roles in the Silver An
niversary Year performance by
the Waterside Theater contin-
gent. Jeff David of Pittsburgh,
Penn. will wet his feet on the
stage near Roanoke Sound in the
hole of "Old Tom" David will
be hard-pressed to conform to
the brilliant image which was
created in the role by the late
Kenton. Kyle. David, a student
at Carnegie Institute of Tech
nology is expected to measure
up.
Sir Walter Raleigh will be
portrayed by Robert Grubbs, an
other newcomer, who is a speech
and drama instructor at Pheiffer
College in Misenheimer, N. C.
The third new leading actor is
Larry Steele, a rising senior
at the University of North Caro-
lima, who performed last year
in Kermit Hunters unto These
Hills" in Boone.
Gordan Clark will be playing
the role of John Borden for the
first time this season after
serving as stage manager dur
ing 1861. Clark is from Colds
boro, and a graduate publicity
assistant for the Carolina Play
makers.
Paul Gold of Charlotte will be
Historian for the second straight
year, after a creditable perform
ance during 1861.
Uppowoc will be dancer Wal
ter Strowd, who has eXcelled
in the role since 1858. Strowd
has recently moved to Raleigh
where he plans to open a dance
studio. Susan Gordon, another
veteran will return to the cast
in her new role as Dame Cole
man, the midwife. Miss Cordan
graduated in June from the Uni
versity at Chapel Hill and will
return there this fall for work
with the Playmakers as a cos
tune assistant. Simon Fernando
will be portrayed by Brad Weisi.
ger who was Wingina in the
drama last year. Weisiger is g
Goldsboro native and a student
at LouiSburg College.