OCR Text |
Show "As You Like ItMID scenes of natural beauty, modified by the art of man. Sheakes-peare's "As You Like It," which has delighted thousands of lovers of comedy was given at Wandamere last year during commencement week to audiences that fully appreciated the really meritorious efforts of the amateur players of the University. The production that was presented at the pretty resort, was as striking as could well be imagined. The setting of the play on a rustic stage resting on the placid bosom of the little lake could not have been improved. Fresh cut trees and sod with scattered mosses and ferns gave a woodland effect almost ideally realistic. The night was perfect, the pale light from the full moon united with the electrical reflections in making the scenic effects all the more beautiful and artistic. The presence of quaintly costumed figures, the lack of stage mechanism and properties, and the open air stage completed the Elizabethian atmosphere.The vast amphitheatre was a striking picture. The crowd assembled around the edge of the lake whose sloping sides gave the benefit of a perfecl view. Now and then a graceful swan glided over the stretch of water that separated players and audience.The open air performance was a wonderful advertisement for the University. It did more to inform the public as to the cultural work of dramatics than any other attempt the club has yet made, and set a new standard for future classical performances.The grace and charm with which Miss Edna Hull interpreted "Rosalind" was thoroughly appreciated. Robert Dalgleish was a good reader but not the ardent "Orlando" his lines suggested. Miss Lucile Rogers, the devoted "Celia," won hearty applause as did D. W. Cummings, the melancholy "Jaques." Robert Sharp succeeded nobly as "Touchstone," and Miss Lila Eccles assumed an "Audrey" awkwardness that was inimitable. Miss Lucile Thurman and Irwin Clawson were typical country characters in "Pheobe" and "Sylvius." Mis Edith Ekstrom, in the flowing linens of "Hymen" portrayed feminine grace and beauty. Robert Goodwin was the remorseful "Oliver." Nat Webb played the old servant "Adam" to perfection and doubled well as the simple "William." George Lunt played well as "Le Beau" and "Sir Roland de Bois." LeRoy Warthman represented the sheep-cote philosophy of "Corin." The solemness of "Jaques" was shammed well by Fred Barker as "Amiens," Frank Rassmussen was the stern "Duke Frederick," and H. P. Anderson, the forgiving duke in exile. Melvin Hogan, the wrestler, fell hard. George M. Cannon, Howard T. Anderson, J. Spencer Cornwall and Julian M. Thomas formed the forest quartette.Professor Maud May Babcock and Harold Goff directed the performance. Miss Laura Poulson composed and instructed the dances. Leo Marshall managed the production.f^f7^ |