Berkeley High School - Olla Podrida Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

Page 17 text:

Portia could not have wished for a sweeter, lovelier companion than Nerissa, as played by Rosemary Browning. Her soft words of comfort in time of weakness served as an inspiration, not alone to Portia, but to the audience as well. David McCullough as Gratiano proved to be a right hearty friend of Bassanio and Antonio, although something of a chatterbox, yet one whom you liked to have near, if merely to hear him talk. Allie Porter was given the part of Jessica, the rich Jew ' s daughter. And a sly little shrew she made, stealing her father ' s wealth and Lorenzo ' s heart with all the charm and coquetry imaginable. Her lover, Lorenzo, was ardent in his expressions of regard and appre- ciation and was played most convincingly by Philip Urner to the delight of all. The comedy element in this performance was far from lacking; rather, it was very firmly implanted in our memories by the excellent acting of William Hosselkus and Thomas Debagh as the two clowns, Old Gobbo and Launcelot . Those who played the parts of the Duke, Prince of Morocco , Tubal, gentlemen, court-ladies, and servants offered a wonderful support to the prin- cipals and contributed greatly to the success of the play. Most heartfelt thanks are due Miss McLean, Mrs. De Luce, and Miss Marshall for their inestimable contributions of patience and labor which have helped to inscroll The Merchant of Venice indelibly upon the memories of those who saw it and upon the growing list of Mr. Winter ' s Shakespearean productions.

Page 16 text:

The Merchant of Venice V SHAKESPEARE has once more been commemorated in the hearts of Berkeley High School ' s lovers of drama by the successful presentation of the Merchant of Venice which took place on the evening of May 9. The Dramatic Interpretation Class proved their ability and the perfection attained under the able direction of Mr. Winter, to whom all thanks are due. Old Shylock, a Jewish money- lender, about whom the story centers, is a character part with most difficult passions to portray; yet Cyrus Friedmann, to whom the part was assigned, carried it off with marked ability, interpreting Shylock as it was meant he should be, — dignified, emo- tional, cold, bloodthirsty, and deeply pas- sionate. A beautiful and inspiring vision was Emma Knox as fair Portia and little wonder is it that the hearts of her numer- ous suitors were set a-tripping at the mere sight of her. Portia ' s great charm, beauty, and spirit were impressed upon the audi- ence by this already well-known player whose talent and splendid acting will not soon be forgotten. Harold Woolsey played the part of Bassanio, a young noble of Venice, who proved to be the lucky suitor to Portia. As a gentleman and a lover he displayed all the qualities of such with spirit and feeling, playing a pleasing opposite to Lady Portia. The Merchant, Antonio, was ren- dered in a splendid style by Albert Lee with all the sad dignity and grace which belonged to this admirable friend of Bass anio.

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THE June Class of 1919 produced material which was very well fitted to present the play, In Mizzoura , on the evening of June 6, and pre- sented it with great success. Those who were so unfortunate as not to have seen it will here read the story that they may regret their absence on this eventful occasion. The scene is laid in Bowling Green, Mizzoura , in the times when one travelled from the railroad to town in an old stage coach behind several horses; m the times when the sheriffs were kept busy chasing bad men who even made so bold as to rob a train of one hundred and twenty thousand dollars, and get away with it, as it appears our villain in this story did. Kate, the older daughter of Jo Vernon, the village blacksmith, has experi- enced the advantages of a young woman ' s seminary and soon after her return home, realizes, to her chagrin and disappointment, the apparent barrier that education has put between herself and her simple home folks. Longing for something better than Bowling Green offers, she accepts the attentions of one Travers, a handsome, flashy stranger, who appears more to her taste than the honest kindly sheriff, Jim Radburn, who has watched her grow from childhood, and who worships the ground she treads. Radburn is on the lookout for a train robber whom he suspects is Travers. His desires for capturing this robber are three-fold : to perform his official duty; to free the wrongly suspected express messenger, Sam Fowler, who is his sister ' s lover; and to end the rivalry for Kate. On the evening of the second day, Colonel Bollinger rushes in to the Vernons ' home to inform them that just now Travers has shot a man who tried to stop him, upon being accused of robbing Sam Fowler ' s car. Bowling Green is instantly alive with guns and men, hunting for Travers, who has escaped. Kate is horrified by these accusations which she can not believe. Meanwhile,