Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 82, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 June 1908 — SHAKESPEARIAN PLAY WELL GIVEN [ARTICLE]

SHAKESPEARIAN PLAY WELL GIVEN

St Joe Students Present Henry IV to a Crowded House. As wks expected the members of the Columbian Literary Society, of St. Joseph College, gave a most creditable presentation of Shakespeare's play, Henry IV, Tuesday evening, in the college auditorium. The members of the cast gave their parts well, and showed that they had spent much time Tn their preparation. Following is a brief synopsis of the play: The Scots, under the command of Douglas, are defeated at Holmedon by the English forces led by Henry Percy, the famous Hotspur of history. King Henry, unwilling to ransom Percy’s kinsman Mortimer, is refused th 6 prisoners. A quarrel ensues. Hotspur forms an alliance with the Scots and the Welsh to overthrow Henry. The Prince of Wales, Henry's son, having led a dissolute life in common with Falstaff and his boon companions awakens to a sense of duty and responsibility at the report of Hotspur’s rebellion. Hotspur is disadvantaged by the non-arrival of troops which his father Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, had promised to send. , King Henry leads his army in person. At Shrewsbury he offers pardon to the rebels if they will lay down their arms. Misinformed of the king’s terms. Hotspur gives battle. He meets defeat and death at the hands of the Prince —credit for which Is claimed by Falstaff. King Henry now recognizes the true worth of his valiant son.

The character of the jovial Falstaff was certainly In the hands of a competent actor, Mr. Otto Muehilenhrlnk, who kept the audience laughing continually. He went through his part without a break. In most of Shakespeare’s plays we find a character who furnishes the comedy part and in no play do we find a better example of it, than in Henry IV. Falstaff has some experiences which cause him to become very much excited and as he relates them to his friends he exaggerates them a good deal, much to the pleasure of everyone. The characer of King Henry the Fourth was well given but not as well as that of Falstaff. The young Henry, Prince of Wales the early companion of Falstaff and hiß followers was next to Falstaff, in matter of presentation. Mr. Boland who gave this part showed much ability. He spoke in a loud clear tone and entered into the spirit of the play very much. At first a bold and reckless youth, be finally ' comes to himself, and proves an honor to his father. The character of the host, though not as impoirtant as some of the others and having less to say, captivated the audience, by his various actions in serving the customers at the tavern. ~. Archibald, the Earl of Douglas, the leader of the Scots, gave a good presentation of the bravery, determination and strength which has always characterized the people of Scotland 1 Other characters deserving of mention are John of Lancaster, Sir Walter Blunt, Hotspur, Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland and Points. Between acts the college orchestra rendered several, selections which were well received by the audience. Another noticeable feature of the play, were the costumes. They were furnished by F. Szwirscbina,, of Cincinnati, and were like those worn in the days of Shakespeare. The opportunity to witness a Shakespearian play does not come very often hßr® in Rensselaer but when they do come, people ought to see them; as they appeal in one way or another to all classes of society. The college students have always been very sucsessful in their plays and we hope that they will see fit to give another one at some future date.