Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 65, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 April 1908 — “UNDER THE LAURELS” [ARTICLE]

“UNDER THE LAURELS”

As Given by the High School Pupils a Brilliant Success, says the Lowell Souvenir. The play, "Under the Laurels,” given by the pupils of the Lowell high school at the opera house - Friday night was a most brilliant dramatic success in every particular—not a weak character —not an ambarrassing or ludicrous situation. The work of the young people was sparkling and superb, and was a most agreeable surprise to large and appreciative audience; the work was equal to actors of more mature age and experience before the footlights. The stage settings were in keeping with the play and presented a pleasing harmony. The parts Were admirably taken.

The play jwas a well written story of southern plantation life just after the war, connected with which were a series of pleasant drawing room scenes, sad and pathetic events, conspirations to defraud, broken will, lost estates, villainies, restoration of fortune, position and happiness. The climax is reached in the finale. Miss Beulah Deathe, as Mra Milford, mistress of the Milford estate; Miss Vernal Kelsey as Rose Milford, heiress to the Milford fortune; Robt. Brown,- as “Ky” Brantfard, "the smooth and clever rascal and disturber and Walter Brownell as Frank Coolridge, adopted son of the Milfords, played the leading role, with Rose Milford taking the part of the heroine and Frank Coolridge as the hero. These characters were excepttionally well taken and the participants acquitted themselves creditably: “Cora Hayden as Polly Doyler, took the part of the sheriff In the style and provoked much good cheer, while Will Attwood as Ike Hopper, one of the attachees and Polly’s lover, was there with the goods, and put his arm about her waist very naturally; Floy Binyon as Sooky Button, the house keeper, and Milford McNay, as Bob Button, a sort of a profligate and ipy around the place, were characters well taken. The fun maker was £ek*, the colored gentleman about the place, assumed by Charles Lambert, who, by Sis make up, comical negro lingo and antices, caused the audience to laugh every time he appeared. Bert Kuss took the part of the sheeriff In the last act

The music for the occasion was furnished by Miss Caila Palmer on the piano, and Mr. Walter Powell, trap drum and triangle, and was enjoyed by the audience. Hardly had the curtain gone down on the last scene until numerous requests were made to have the play repeated, and it was decided to give it again Tuesday night, April 14, at the Lowell opera house, on which occasion there should be a crowded house. The proceeds are for the benefit of the school library.—Lowell Souvenir. At opera house, Friday evening of this week.