Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 February 1911 — MILITARY DRAMA PLEASED HOUSE PACKED TO DOORS. [ARTICLE]

MILITARY DRAMA PLEASED HOUSE PACKED TO DOORS.

“Under the Stars and Stripes” Well Performed by Company M and Will Be Repeated Saturday.

Company M very ably performed the realistic Philippine war drama, “Under the Stars and Stripes’? Wednesday night, playing to a packed house. The large audience seemed well pleased with the production and the local performers were liberally applauded, and the story of the Philippines, which illustrated the hardships that United States soldiers underwe i L . in the islands during the insurrection promoted by ambitious Spaniards and Philippine soldiers of fortune, that was told in a wray that was true to the actual conditions. A triple love story is interwoven through the plot and all conclude with a happy finish, following the success of the U. S. troops in defeating the traitorous forces led by Salvador Silvestre, Spaniard. This part was taken by George H. Hoskyn, the author of the splendid play, and so ably acted as to secure for him the hatred of the audience, the aim of all who are cast in heavy rolfes. Miss Maurine Tuteiir, as Lucy Fairfax, the loyal sister of Lieutenant Andrew Fairfax, carried her part very excellently. She was a tantalizing little vixen and kept Lieutenant Dick Foster on tender hooks, holding him off from a final answer to his constant love making. Dick was handled by Arthur Tuteur, who carried the light comedy in a clever manner. Andrew Fairfar, a loyal officer in the U. S. army, who braved all the dangers of the islands in defense of the American flag and who was captured and imprisoned by Silvestre in order that th,e latter might seek to induce Ysobel, Andrew’s wife, to marry him, was taken by Elmer Wilcox and played in splendid fashion. Miss Esther Padgitt was excellent as Ysobel. She was a native Spaniard, but had learned that the purpose of the American occupation of the island was a noble one and saw through the treaehery of Silvestre, to whom she had at one time been betrothed. She had married Andrew and her loyalty to him and to the American caiise, brought several rounds of applause. Jose, a half breed Spaniard and Filipino, who had a good heart but whose love for Lucy caused him to become a tool of Silvestre, was well played by Plaine Peacock Becoming suspiciot s of the conduct of Jose, Silvestre had dispatched one of his band to kill him, but Jo3e escaped after being wounded and unfolded the schemes of the villianous Silvestre, and was reinstated to his position of trust in the government. Then, In the last act when Silvestre, wounded, under cove.* of darkness, made a last effort to secure money at the government house in Manila, Jose killed him when he was about to get the of Lieutenant Fairfax in a hand to hand conflict. The comedy' parts of the play, “Aunt Jcrusha” and “Sergt. Zeke,” were taken by Mrs. and Mr. George H. Healey. The corporal by Lester M. Speaks, who helped Silvestre in his skuldugery, took the part well. Carlos, Frank Ellis, and Francisco, Charles Spain, two slaves to Silvestre, ably did their small parts. Isaac Wiltshire made a distinct hit, as the drunken sentinel.

There was much cheering when in the third act, the soldiers, as many as could crowd on the stage, came in singing “There’ll Be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight,” and again when the act closed with a battle scene, the powerful rifles giving an idea of the din of battle, the audience cheered with real appreciation. The performance opened with a delightful Japanese chorus, sung by fifteen high school girls, dressed in kimonas, with chrysanthemums on tho sides of their heads. The song “Sweet Sana-oo,” was very pleasing and the girls, who were the picked musicians from the high school, rendered it admirably. Following the play a banquet was served at the armory, which was participated in by members of the company, all the cast, and a number of Invited guests, among them ten members of - ther Montlcello company who came over to attend the play and occupied the two boxes at the theatre. Lon and Paul Healy furnished music for the dance that followed the banquet. The play will be repeated Saturday night at the opera house and tickets for it are now on sale. Any who had purchased tickets for the other performance and did not use them can have them chec’-ed for the Saturday night play. The Montlcello company, which put the play on so ably there two weeks ago, probably put the play on at Wol-