In the first one-act Harvard play passed by the Dramatic Department of the College as Women of Professional Production. “That Case of the Joneses,” by Florence J. Lewis. This is the story of a suffragette wife who is admitted to the bar, unknown to her husband. Complication arise but all ends happily. There are four people in the cast, all well known on Broadway. Miss Crowe, who has the leading part, was last in “Over Night,” and before that with Sothern and Marlowe. The sketch goes along with snap, holds an interest, and finished big at both shows to-day. This act is being boosted by Harvard people and they claim their influence from all over the country. Just how good the claim is, I cannot say. 18 minutes f.s.
16 min. In a dramatic playlet called “Straight.” This is a crook play working into a big climax at the finish and as an underworld sketch, it held close attention and won a fair amount of applause.
26 min. In a dramatic sketch of Napoleon’s period, entitled, “The Drummer of 76th.” Mr. Brockbank was formerly an operatic baritone and sings one number during the action of the story in which a drummer boy of a French regiment is made the central figure. The act is well played, although a little talky, and was rewarded with a fair hand of applause.
23 min. F.S. “Into the Light.” Rather serious for a holiday crowd, at the same time Miss Parry’s character impersonations held the audience closely throughout her interesting drama-story of the court and various witnesses in the murder case which she impersonates successively in the spotlight through a plush curtain. The finish in full stage, showing a bedroom scene, was a surprise and gave Miss Parry a strong hand.
30 min. Seven men and one woman in an Alaskan incident, called, “The Luck of a Totem.” This is a very odd musical play with a dramatic story and several musical numbers. The singing is far above the average and the dramatic story had gripping climax. It held strict attention and closed to a strong hand.
The dramatic sketch, “An Object Lesson.” An intensely interesting situation involving the old question of the “triangle,” presented in a new light. One of the best bits of character acting on the part of Mr. Thompson that we have ever seen and his supporting cast is competent. An act that will be a distinct credit to any bill. F.S.
“Elia.” 19 min, open full stage, goes to one, back to Full Stage. This little romantic drama is very beautifully presented and Miss Adams has excellent support. It gives her a chance to show her abilities as an actress as well as a violiniste and the Parisian Bohemian atmosphere is well counterfeited. Held the interest very well and make a good close.
Scene reception room in a private sanatorium. Company comprises two men and two women. A noted surgeon is about to operate on a friend who is seriously ill and in danger of dying when he learns through a letter and a telegram that the friend and his wife are in love with each other. The surgeon approaches his wife and although she denies his charges at first, finally she acknowledges they are true. The nurse enters and says the patient is ready for the operation. The surgeon’s wife begs him not to perform the operation but he says no one else can. She is afraid he will kill the young man. Despite her tearful pleadings he enters the operating room and performs on the patient, returning a short time later and tells her it was his most successful operation. He says the patient will be entirely recovered in few weeks. The wife thanks him and asks his forgiveness. He gives and then announces he will leave for South Africa as he is wanted there and not at home. Miss Brown takes full advantage of the many opportunities offered for emotional work. The piece is interesting from the start and there are many tense situations nicely drawn. The act went very good. C.D.F. 22 mins.
Introducing Thomas de Grone and Gertrude Dallas, of our summer stock company. Two men and a woman. Scene interior of a western rancher’s cabin. The rancher has left his daughter alone. Enter a cowboy who once saved the rancher’s life, and who is engaged to the girl. He seeks a hiding place having just committed a murder. Shortly after he goes into an adjoining room to rest for a time a mounted policeman, who also loves the girl, and is loved by him, enters. He says he is looking for the cowboy. He does not know the fugitive is hiding in the next room. He engages in a talk with the girl about his plans for quitting the service and getting married. She offers him some lunch. There is quite a little comedy brought in here as he tries to set the table and smashes a few dished, also destroys a pie and burns his hand and her’s [sic]. When the conversation is over and he is about to leave he discovers a blood stained hat on the rack. He demands to know the owner’s name. She refuses to tell. He accuses her of detaining him while the fugitive could escape. He is denouncing her when the cowboy enters and covers the officer with his gun. He then explains the situation, saying the girl shielded him because her father promised him her hand when his life was saved. He offers to give himself up that the girl may be happy. The officer shakes his hand and offers him help that he may square himself before the world. He says he killed his man because he had said insulting things about the girl and the policeman. There is sufficient action, enough comedy and interest throughout. The act went big. Time of act 18 min.
The company consists of a man, woman and boy in a one-act playlet called “Come Here.” Rather a novel sort of dramatic sketch, interesting and well played and goes off with a strong applause. Sixteen minutes, full stage.