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Show DRAMATICS The Late Christopher Bean Several months of intense rehearsing culminated in one of the finest varsity plays ever produced by University of Utah students. Deft characterizations, excellent atmosphere, and a splendid cast of well-chosen thespians combined to make Sidney Howard's "The Late Christopher Bean," a notably successful and well-finished production. The theme of the play centers around Abby, a faihSful servant of the Haggetts, and a painter named Christopher Bean, who died in a New England village, leaving only a few dirty canvases to pay Dr. Haggett for his care. II is a mild cjrprire to the family when an old friend of Bean's arrives to pay the artist's bills and takes away two old pictures as mementos. Then another friend arrives on the same errand, immediately followed by on art critic who comes to pay his respects and to reveal to the family that the pictures are worth a fortune. A mad scramble ensues with Abby in the midst of it. There is the flurry and distress of minds under the toil of action, and always through it is the lovable simplicity of Abby, to whom Christopher was an unmercenary memory of distant happiness. Excellent performances were consistently satisfying in both casts. Leading roles were admirably handled by Charlotte Knight, Robert Wilson, Esther Ruckert and Hyde Clayton, in the parts of Abby and Dr. Haggett. Eudora Billings and Beatrice Call gave pleasing and interestingly different interpretations of Susan, the ingenue lead. Reed Berrett and Keith Brown proved very satisfactory in the role of Warren, the young village boy with artist's aspirations. Marjorie Batie and Marjorie Riley offered an amusing contrast as Mrs. Haggett. Others who completed the two casts and offered special support included: Douglas Clawson, Barrie Wanlass, Le Roy Wilcox, Homer Davis, Howard Allen, and Sheldon Erickson. Much credit is due Profesor Maud May Babcock, for her untiring energy in repeatedly producing excellent varsity plays, and we congratulate her on her latest success. Morgan E. Kerr was manager, and was assisted by Dan Eastman and Bob O'Neil, who were in charge of properties. Two Hundred Sixteen |