1922 Yearbook
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Title
1922 Yearbook
Description
The Ambrosian
BELIEVE ME XANTIPPE
"Believe Me Xantippe", a comedy in four acts, was the first play to be staged by
the St. Ambrose Dramatic Club in the semester beginning September 12, 1921. For
weeks before producing the play the cast held many practices under the management
of Father Stahl and the capable instruction of Mrs. Churchill. No efforts were
spared to make this play a bright spot not only in the dramatic history of St. Ambrose
but throughout the Tri-Cities as well. New costumes, scenery and stage furnishings
were secured to form a background equal in brilliance to the talent of the cast.
The play went off with a vim and snap. If any of the cast experienced nervousness
at this, their first offering of "Believe Me Xantippe" before the public, they did not
show it. Everyone disp^ed an easy disregard for the audience, acting his part naturally, so that the stiffness common to amateur productions was wholly lacking. The
audience responded to the spirit of the play and showed their appreciation of the
offering in an unmistakable manner.
The story is woven around George McFarland who wagers with his friend, Thornton Brown, and a detective, Arthur Sole, that he can commit a crime and elude
officers of the law for a period of one year. He forges a check before the two, making
himself a criminal in the eyes of the law. When Sole turns out the light, preparatory
to taking McFarland's picture, the latter escapes. He wanders around and finally
turns up in Colorado with but six days of the year remaining. Here he is arrested by
Dolly Kamman, daughter of the sheriff, who recognizes him from his picture hanging
in her father's office and designated as that of a wanted criminal. The New York
authorities are notified and Brown and Sole arrive to claim their bets, but because
Dolly was not an officer of the law at the time she made the arrest they were unable
to do this. McFarland claims the bet as well as the heart and hand of Dolly, whom
he has learned to love while he was imprisoned in her father's jail.
Edwin West very cleverly acted the part of McFarland and gave the play an added
zest through his own personality. His antics and facial expressions of a frightened
man trying to be brave convulsed the audience. Complete control of self and lines
characterized his work. Dolly Kamman, as portrayed by Bernard Rank, was a
wholesome, sensible young lady. Benny's acting was exceptionally good as the role
was a difficult one. Gilbert Watters made a typical stage sheriff and must receive
credit not only for his superb acting but also for his splendid carriage. Hamilton
Greene, portraying the role of a coarse vamp, Violet Windsor, contributed much to
the humor of the play. George Bouquot and John O'Donnell as Arthur Sole and
Thornton Brown, capably played their parts as friends of McFarland. The part of
Wren Wrinkle, the jail keeper, although a minor one, was lifted to some importance
through the characterization of Morgan Maloney. Lisle Mitchell, as Dolly's aunt,
successfully acted the part of a scrupulous spinster. Werner Schoenfelder, as McFarland's valet, was mechanically perfect. Everyone fitted naturally into his part.
The play was a complete success due not only to the genius of the cast but also to
Mrs. Churchill, who coached the actors, and to Father Stahl, who made the production
possible.
One Hundred Twenty-one
BELIEVE ME XANTIPPE
"Believe Me Xantippe", a comedy in four acts, was the first play to be staged by
the St. Ambrose Dramatic Club in the semester beginning September 12, 1921. For
weeks before producing the play the cast held many practices under the management
of Father Stahl and the capable instruction of Mrs. Churchill. No efforts were
spared to make this play a bright spot not only in the dramatic history of St. Ambrose
but throughout the Tri-Cities as well. New costumes, scenery and stage furnishings
were secured to form a background equal in brilliance to the talent of the cast.
The play went off with a vim and snap. If any of the cast experienced nervousness
at this, their first offering of "Believe Me Xantippe" before the public, they did not
show it. Everyone disp^ed an easy disregard for the audience, acting his part naturally, so that the stiffness common to amateur productions was wholly lacking. The
audience responded to the spirit of the play and showed their appreciation of the
offering in an unmistakable manner.
The story is woven around George McFarland who wagers with his friend, Thornton Brown, and a detective, Arthur Sole, that he can commit a crime and elude
officers of the law for a period of one year. He forges a check before the two, making
himself a criminal in the eyes of the law. When Sole turns out the light, preparatory
to taking McFarland's picture, the latter escapes. He wanders around and finally
turns up in Colorado with but six days of the year remaining. Here he is arrested by
Dolly Kamman, daughter of the sheriff, who recognizes him from his picture hanging
in her father's office and designated as that of a wanted criminal. The New York
authorities are notified and Brown and Sole arrive to claim their bets, but because
Dolly was not an officer of the law at the time she made the arrest they were unable
to do this. McFarland claims the bet as well as the heart and hand of Dolly, whom
he has learned to love while he was imprisoned in her father's jail.
Edwin West very cleverly acted the part of McFarland and gave the play an added
zest through his own personality. His antics and facial expressions of a frightened
man trying to be brave convulsed the audience. Complete control of self and lines
characterized his work. Dolly Kamman, as portrayed by Bernard Rank, was a
wholesome, sensible young lady. Benny's acting was exceptionally good as the role
was a difficult one. Gilbert Watters made a typical stage sheriff and must receive
credit not only for his superb acting but also for his splendid carriage. Hamilton
Greene, portraying the role of a coarse vamp, Violet Windsor, contributed much to
the humor of the play. George Bouquot and John O'Donnell as Arthur Sole and
Thornton Brown, capably played their parts as friends of McFarland. The part of
Wren Wrinkle, the jail keeper, although a minor one, was lifted to some importance
through the characterization of Morgan Maloney. Lisle Mitchell, as Dolly's aunt,
successfully acted the part of a scrupulous spinster. Werner Schoenfelder, as McFarland's valet, was mechanically perfect. Everyone fitted naturally into his part.
The play was a complete success due not only to the genius of the cast but also to
Mrs. Churchill, who coached the actors, and to Father Stahl, who made the production
possible.
One Hundred Twenty-one
Date
1922
Rights
St. Ambrose University, 518 W. Locust St., Davenport, IA 52803
Identifier
http://cdm16810.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16810coll2/id/8194