St Xavier College - Xaverian Yearbook (Cincinnati, OH)

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Page One Hundred Forty-one

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Three One-Act Plays HE second attempt of the year, three one-act plays, not only was novel, but also a bold undertaking. Those who witnessed the first performance at the Odeon will depone that they had an evening of unalloyed amusement The curtain rose on Stuart Walker's 'tMedicine Show, a very difficult character study with impressionistic setting. It brought to our followers the Thespian endeavors of Robt. Ruthman t25, Thomas Clines '28 and Paul Brophy '28. The impirical, and decidedly unique therapeutics of Dr. Stevln Vandexter forms the neucleus of the action. Beside the grip- ing character appeal, the play affords a glimpse of what might be termed the illusive philosophy of the natives of Kentucky of some twenty years ago, and which now is seldom in evi- dence. The Rising 0f the Moon ' by Lady Gregory, the second of the triad, cast four Freshmen; John Williams, Austin Welsch, James Quill and Raymond Albers. The play is a study in loyalty, and gives oneis conception of the proverbial police- man a decided turn. The Scenic Directors worked the drape idea again, which, with the clever lighting effects, produced the illusion of the typical London, or near London fog. The last scene of all which ended this strange, and event- ful evening, was the hair raising farce, The Ghost of Jerry Bungler . As the title suggests, it is a spectre play with an unusual ending, and emphasizes how susceptible even a crowd of men may become to the power of suggestion, especially so after they have had a few drinks in a dimly lit room. Howard Geerin i25 and John Gaynor t25, Goodwin Cahill i26, and Rob- ert Brunsman 26, Edward McGrath ,28, Joseph Niener 28. and Herbert Janzen 328, formed the cast. Page One Hundred Forty

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REV. FISHER THUMAN BRIDVVELL RETTIAG The' Passion NOTHER mile-stone marking the way of ever progressive St. Xavier was the presentation on an elaborate scale, of the Passion of our Lord in nine episodes The spectacle had four showings at Emery Auditorium, on April 5th, 6th, and 7th, and held the audiences speli-bound throughout. Over one hun- dred students, alumni, and associates of Xavier were assigned parts, which they entered into and enacted with more than commendable facility and character. The entire production was the work of Mr. J. Herman Thuman, who arranged and directed it; he was assisted by Mr. John Rettig, who designed the stage pic- tures, and by Mr. J. Alfred Schehl, conductor of the St. Lawrence Church Choir, which rendered sacred hymns at intervalst Rev. Alphonse Fisher, S.J., acted as supervisor, and Faculty representative, Mr. John C. Thompson portrayed the role of Christ, and was admirably adapted to it. He assumed the ideal Christ with a power that was almost hypnotic-it is hardly an exaggeration to say that he seemed to have been born to it. If genuine religious sentiment was ever stirred from an audience at the Emery Auditorium, it was The Passion which accomplished it. Mr. Gregor B. Moormann, as the Evangelist, read passages from Gospels which the episodes depicted, and lent no little amount of atmos- phere by his declamation. The unusual success with which the production met, along with the highly favorable criticisms from authorities, the papers, and other sources, is encourage- ment enough to warrant making The Passion a yearly affairt Since it was. and is wholly 3. Xavier function, and all the accouterments have been built up, the road is clear to its yearly reproduction. Page One Hundred Furiy-twn