1941 Yearbook
Source URL
Title
1941 Yearbook
Description
Quinn, Elliot, Morgan, Hennessey, Martin, Higgins, Walters, Hines, Vandel
FIRST LEGION
As their initial production for the 1940-41 schedule, the Ambrosian Players presented the celebrated play, "The First Legion" by Emmet Lavery.
This religious play, dealing with St. Gregory's Novitiate for Priests, was the first play under the
new theatrical director of the college. Mr. Charles Costello, appointed the new head of the Department of Speech and Dramatics, has often been cast in plays while an undergraduate of the college,
but this was the first one that he had directed and produced as a faculty member.
The eleven members of the cast had been selected from the ranks of the Ecclesiastical Department, with but three exceptions, and all but one had never before been cast in a college play. But
even with all the novices that he had to work with, Mr. Costello did a marvelous job of directing.
Words of praise for this excellent production flowed from the lips of even the most severe of critics.
Phillip Trowbridge Vandel played the role of the lovable rector, Father Duquesne. He was particularly suited to the role, which demanded a certain nobility of character interwoven at time by an
Irking over-bearing attitude, which as Emmett Lavery decided, was the natural consequence of having
a definite subjective righteousness, either in truth or invincible error. Mr. Vandel was vigorously applauded for his enactment of the death of the Father Rector, as a result of defending a belief.
Ned Elliott and James Quinn, who were the trouble makers of the play, deserve especial merit
for the deft handling of their roles.
"The Three Buddies", Hank Higgins, Paul Hennessey, and John Martin, were always in trouble
with their superiors because of their past. Higgins, as Father Ahern, was in bad favor because of his
fiery journalism; Paul Hennessey, as Father Fulton, found relief In a cynical outlook toward the order
because of giving up his beloved music. John Martin, as Father Rawleight, was mixed up because of
the girl he left behind.
Bob Walters, as the aetheistic Dr. Morell; Joseph Hines, as the distinguished Father Quarterman;
William Morgan, as the humorous Mgsr. Carey; Jose Sierra, played by Bob Motto, were deserving of
the highest praise for the way in which they handled their difficult character roles.
An unusual role of Jimmy Magee, a crippled lad, was played by Johnny Costello, son of the director. It was unusuai to find a stage presence in a young boy, and the older men of the play were
exerted to the utmost to prevent Johnny from overshadowing them and throwing the play out of focus.
The scenic effects, the most beautiful ever to be seen on the Ambrosian Stage, were the result of
the artistic talents of Mr. James Noth. Without the scenery, which could be mistaken for a real monastery, the beautiful and heart-reaching tone of the play would have been impossible to achieve.
The play was received most favorably and the dramatic standard of the "Ambrosian Theatre"
was considerably raised.
The Production staff reached an efficiency seldom equaled. Beautiful, as well as difficult lighting
was adequately handled by Charles Ellis.
FIRST LEGION
As their initial production for the 1940-41 schedule, the Ambrosian Players presented the celebrated play, "The First Legion" by Emmet Lavery.
This religious play, dealing with St. Gregory's Novitiate for Priests, was the first play under the
new theatrical director of the college. Mr. Charles Costello, appointed the new head of the Department of Speech and Dramatics, has often been cast in plays while an undergraduate of the college,
but this was the first one that he had directed and produced as a faculty member.
The eleven members of the cast had been selected from the ranks of the Ecclesiastical Department, with but three exceptions, and all but one had never before been cast in a college play. But
even with all the novices that he had to work with, Mr. Costello did a marvelous job of directing.
Words of praise for this excellent production flowed from the lips of even the most severe of critics.
Phillip Trowbridge Vandel played the role of the lovable rector, Father Duquesne. He was particularly suited to the role, which demanded a certain nobility of character interwoven at time by an
Irking over-bearing attitude, which as Emmett Lavery decided, was the natural consequence of having
a definite subjective righteousness, either in truth or invincible error. Mr. Vandel was vigorously applauded for his enactment of the death of the Father Rector, as a result of defending a belief.
Ned Elliott and James Quinn, who were the trouble makers of the play, deserve especial merit
for the deft handling of their roles.
"The Three Buddies", Hank Higgins, Paul Hennessey, and John Martin, were always in trouble
with their superiors because of their past. Higgins, as Father Ahern, was in bad favor because of his
fiery journalism; Paul Hennessey, as Father Fulton, found relief In a cynical outlook toward the order
because of giving up his beloved music. John Martin, as Father Rawleight, was mixed up because of
the girl he left behind.
Bob Walters, as the aetheistic Dr. Morell; Joseph Hines, as the distinguished Father Quarterman;
William Morgan, as the humorous Mgsr. Carey; Jose Sierra, played by Bob Motto, were deserving of
the highest praise for the way in which they handled their difficult character roles.
An unusual role of Jimmy Magee, a crippled lad, was played by Johnny Costello, son of the director. It was unusuai to find a stage presence in a young boy, and the older men of the play were
exerted to the utmost to prevent Johnny from overshadowing them and throwing the play out of focus.
The scenic effects, the most beautiful ever to be seen on the Ambrosian Stage, were the result of
the artistic talents of Mr. James Noth. Without the scenery, which could be mistaken for a real monastery, the beautiful and heart-reaching tone of the play would have been impossible to achieve.
The play was received most favorably and the dramatic standard of the "Ambrosian Theatre"
was considerably raised.
The Production staff reached an efficiency seldom equaled. Beautiful, as well as difficult lighting
was adequately handled by Charles Ellis.
Date
1941
Rights
St. Ambrose University, 518 W. Locust St., Davenport, IA 52803
Identifier
http://cdm16810.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16810coll2/id/5263