1913 Yearbook
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Title
1913 Yearbook
Description
APRIL 8th, 1913, the St. Ambrose Dramatic Club staged "The Upstart." The
weather was very unfavorable during the afternoon and evening, and consequently the attendance was somewhat smaller than usual. However the weather
could not dampen the enthusiasm of the young Thespians who had been drilling
for weeks, and a very excellent entertainment was presented.
The program was in several respects a departure from the usual entertainments of
its kind given at the College. The play itself is something novel. The scene is taken
from early French life among the aristocracy, and the whole play is intended as a
gentle satire on that class and its ardent admirers. The costuming was extraordinarily
striking. The brilliant colors of the dress of the French nobility showed forth to
excellent advantage under the footlights. The lords, and counts, and pages, and butlers
in French dress, together with the touch of Oriental splendor in the last act on the occasion of the visit of the supposed Sultan of Turkey, all served to produce an indelible
impression on the minds of the spectators independently of the plot and action. Besides
this there were several vocal numbers which received well merited applause. Mr. Ambrose
Burke, the soloist, especially distinguished himself, and the other members of the College
Glee Club that took part, all did credit to that organization, which was but recently
formed.
The cast was an all male one. The choice of characters was made with a view of
giving new material an opportunity to show their ability, and consequently with practically only two exceptions all the players were inexperienced. But the result was highly
gratifying; all the characters appeared perfectly at home on the stage and not once was
there hesitation or embarrassment on the part of the actors, and this despite the fact
that the play has many very difficult parts, especially the numerous hidicrous situations
of "Mr. Jordan," who is so ambitious to meet "persons of distinction."
Mr. Robinson appeared in the title role, and though it was the young gentleman's
initial bow before the footlights his work was very creditable. Mr. Fitzpatrick as Cleon,
and his valet, Mr. Gallagher as Covielle, were both well received. They were especially
happy in rendering the difficult Turkish parts. Mr. Welsh appeared for the first time
in a comedy role, and had the audience in roars of laughter throughout. He well sustained his master, Mr. Shields, as Old Mr. Jordan, whose work comes in for much praise.
Messrs. Moran, Vogt, Kerrigan and Roling, as professors to young Mr. Jordan, were
successful in their respective characterizations. The parts of French noblemen were
taken by Mr. Reidy and Mr. L. Murphy. Mr. Reidy especially distinguished himself.
Mr. Simons, as Tailor to Mr. Jordan, also showed considerable ability.
Further mention of the individual merits of each player would require too much
space. Suffice it to say that unlimited praise is due to Father Cone, who has given so
much of his time to the training. His hard work and perseverance made the play a
success, and we confidently hope that it will not be long until we hear from him again.
weather was very unfavorable during the afternoon and evening, and consequently the attendance was somewhat smaller than usual. However the weather
could not dampen the enthusiasm of the young Thespians who had been drilling
for weeks, and a very excellent entertainment was presented.
The program was in several respects a departure from the usual entertainments of
its kind given at the College. The play itself is something novel. The scene is taken
from early French life among the aristocracy, and the whole play is intended as a
gentle satire on that class and its ardent admirers. The costuming was extraordinarily
striking. The brilliant colors of the dress of the French nobility showed forth to
excellent advantage under the footlights. The lords, and counts, and pages, and butlers
in French dress, together with the touch of Oriental splendor in the last act on the occasion of the visit of the supposed Sultan of Turkey, all served to produce an indelible
impression on the minds of the spectators independently of the plot and action. Besides
this there were several vocal numbers which received well merited applause. Mr. Ambrose
Burke, the soloist, especially distinguished himself, and the other members of the College
Glee Club that took part, all did credit to that organization, which was but recently
formed.
The cast was an all male one. The choice of characters was made with a view of
giving new material an opportunity to show their ability, and consequently with practically only two exceptions all the players were inexperienced. But the result was highly
gratifying; all the characters appeared perfectly at home on the stage and not once was
there hesitation or embarrassment on the part of the actors, and this despite the fact
that the play has many very difficult parts, especially the numerous hidicrous situations
of "Mr. Jordan," who is so ambitious to meet "persons of distinction."
Mr. Robinson appeared in the title role, and though it was the young gentleman's
initial bow before the footlights his work was very creditable. Mr. Fitzpatrick as Cleon,
and his valet, Mr. Gallagher as Covielle, were both well received. They were especially
happy in rendering the difficult Turkish parts. Mr. Welsh appeared for the first time
in a comedy role, and had the audience in roars of laughter throughout. He well sustained his master, Mr. Shields, as Old Mr. Jordan, whose work comes in for much praise.
Messrs. Moran, Vogt, Kerrigan and Roling, as professors to young Mr. Jordan, were
successful in their respective characterizations. The parts of French noblemen were
taken by Mr. Reidy and Mr. L. Murphy. Mr. Reidy especially distinguished himself.
Mr. Simons, as Tailor to Mr. Jordan, also showed considerable ability.
Further mention of the individual merits of each player would require too much
space. Suffice it to say that unlimited praise is due to Father Cone, who has given so
much of his time to the training. His hard work and perseverance made the play a
success, and we confidently hope that it will not be long until we hear from him again.
Date
1913
Rights
St. Ambrose University, 518 W. Locust St., Davenport, IA 52803
Identifier
http://cdm16810.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16810coll2/id/3846