Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 63, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 March 1917 — High School Play Was A Great Success. [ARTICLE]

High School Play Was A Great Success.

The high school play, “A Trial of Healts,” which was given at the Ellis theatre Thursday night, was an entire success and the expressions of appreciation from those who attended indicate that their expectations were realized. The play itself is one of the most difficult that the school ever attempted. In the first place the play calls for an unusually large cast of 24 peoples, none of whose parts are without distinct characterization. In the seoopd place, the play itself has as its major tneme a love story, which calls for serious interpretation. This is much more difficult to enact than light comedy. The serious side ofsuch a play is the very thing which amateurs usually fail to “put across. ’ it is the thing that the students of K. H. S. did in a superlative degree. Much praise and appreciation must be extended to Paul Beam, Cornelia Leonard, Robert Loy, Heley Parkinson and Ruth Wood for the manner in which their acting and interpretation sustained the most difficult roles. They were real people; they were convincing, which is the highest praise that an actor may claim. In pleasing contrast to the main motive, there was the lushing season of the Kappa Psi and Delta Chi sororities, which called for a crowd of attractive and lively girls, much excitement and competition. Barbara Lynn, the pretty and popular frechman, who causes such lively consternation among the opposing forces, was admirably enacted by Wilda Littlefield. Harry Moore and Harold Littlefield, who are boosters for the sororities, acting upon the principle that “all is fair in love or war,” were especially successful and clever. They were typical college men. The Kappa Psis, who were enacted by Mamie Bever, Elizabeth Witham, Faustine West, Ada Robinson, and their pledges, Ruth McKinzie and Frances Ryan, made an extremely pretty and lively crowd. The same may be said of Bernice Long, Thelma Martindale, Gladys Arnott, Alice Thomas and Elizabeth King, members of the Delta Chi sorority. The audience was especially entertained by the manner in which these young ladies plotted against each other, but simulated such perfect friendship to each other’s faces. The entangled love affair of Roger Fairfax, college senior, and the worst flirt that ever used his eyes, were carried through in a brightly entertaining manner by Harry MeColly. Roger becomes engaged to two girls at once, is turned down after many embarrassing and laughable situations in whk.fi the young ladies plot his overtfirow, makes eyes at the French maid and then comes back on reunion day to announce to his Omega Omega brothers that he has at last met his affinity and is engaged—again, and is to be married in the spring. ; Helen Warner, as the Kappa Psi chaperone, who entertains Roger with a chapter on Anthroposociology, took her part well. Luella Harmon made a very coy and coquettish French maid. Marjorie Vanatta and Forest Merica as high school “crustiesy, al T ways quarreling and forever discussing 'the question of “frats,” made much entertainment for an appreciative audience. The settings were one of the finest features of the play, especially the interiors of the first three acta. The grouping of the members of the cast was especially well done. There was not a single dull moment from the time the curtain was rung up on the first act and lowered at the last. Nor have we seen such a pretty bevy of girls, or such a good looking crowd of boys in a long while. The play shows artistry, the result of talent and work. The Misses Inez Kiplinger, Lennie Bird Rains and Helen Parkinson furnished music between acts, which was .enjoyed and appreciated by all. Congratulations, R. H. S.