Illinois News Index

Winnetka Weekly Talk, 10 Nov 1928, p. 46

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L] November 10, 1928 WINNETKA TALK 45 MARIONETTE THEATER OPENS NOVEMBER 21-22 Theatron to Produce Notable Plays for North Shore Drama Lovers at Evanston Club Jeginning Wednesday and Thurs- day, November 21 and 22, Theatron's Marionettes will start their subscrip- tion season with a production of "The Taming of the Shrew", by Shakes- peare. Their home is to be in the Evanston Woman's club where a stage one-quarter life-size will be set up in a small hall for an intimate audience. These marionette performances are the outcome of the desire of the Thea- tron group to give north shore drama enthusiasts such classics and new works as are seldom offered by the commercial theater. The medium of the marionette is a comparatively in- expensive means to their end, for cos- tume plays and hitherto unproduced plays of merit cost much to mount on a large stage. Among the pieces to follow "The Taming of the Shrew" are "Noel, or the Mystery of the Nativity", by Maurice Bouchor, for the first time in America, a revival of Henry Field- ing's burlesque, "Tom Thumb the Great," and "Winged Women," after the novel by Inez Haynes Irwin, for the first time on any stage. Incidental Music Features A feature of these productions will be their incidental music, played by Miss Margaret Bluthart of Kenil- worth. "The Taming of the Shrew" has a selection of Elizabethan melo- dies and compositions written origin- ally for the virginal by such sixteenth century masters as Dr. John Blow, Orlando Gibbons and Dr. John Bull This music, harmonically fine as it is, ranges over only the four octaves of the virginal (a precursor of the piano- forte) and has a quaint and miniature effect very appropriate to accompany marionette action. "Noel or the Mystery of the Na- tivity" has a special score written by Paul Vidal, a pupil of Massenet. This was performed to enthusiastig audi- ences at the Petit-Theatre in Paris. "Tom Thumb, the Great" is to have an accompaniment of amusingly bom- bastic eighteenth century opera music. Rehearsals are now in progress for "The Taming of the Shrew" with a set of marionettes designed and con- structed by Paul McPharlin, director of Theatron. Each face shows the spe- cial characteristics of a character in such a way that, when the light shifts across it, the character seems to come alive with his own individuality. Katherina, the shrew, is red-haired and sharp-nosed, with narrow eyes and a scornful mouth. But when her tam- ing is accomplished, she droops her head and her whole expressoin grows mild and modest. The costumes are exact miniatures of Elizabethan styles, executed in silks, satins and velvets. The furniture and architecture conform to the period, some Tudor English and some north Italian, for the introduction of the play takes place in England, and the play proper in and about Padua. Expert Constructs Stage John L. Dean of Chicago, who has designed work for the Auditorium theatre now in its last opera season, and various other Chicago theaters, has constructed a stage that may be taken down in pieces for transporta- tion, and quickly assembled again. There is a mirror arrangememt so that readers seated behind scenes may see each gesture of the marionettes as if they were in the audience. The stage floor may be altered for the use of string marionettes, or marionettes operated by rods from below. A com- plete miniature lighting equipment, with spots, borders, floods and dim- mers, to throw light of any color de- sired, has been made by Frederick A. Bohling of New York. Theatron's Marionette theatre is the first in the country to give a season of plays to a subscription audience. The general public may obtain seats for individual plays after the sub- cribers have been accommodated. The ordinary puppet is aimed at children's enjoyment, but Theatron's Marionettes make an appeal primarily to adults, both for their plays and their man- ner of mounting. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Vissering, 257 Kenilworth avenue, Kenilworth, are leaving tomorrow for their home in 3abson Park, Fla. where they expect to spend the winter. Mrs. Albert Sutcliffe of Winnetka | Of the total area of the city of Chi- was hostess at the Cradle Maisonette | cago, 30 per cent--streets, parks, etc.,-- last Tuesday and Mrs. Harry Edmonds | is the property of the city, state or will take charge on November 13. national governments. "Legionnaire"' Grapenut Custard and Banana Ice Cream There is a Agency NearYour Home . SW hood. Bowman's Milk, b watchfulness W from farm to you, milk, a ri : milk of superior flavor. If you have never taste we urge you to do s eet sip and you Wi the most popula from the courteous who pass ecause of the unusual ny . ot e exercise 1 bringing 1 is an unusually pure ch fresh milk and above all a d Bowman's Milk 0 NOW. One long, Il know why 1t 18 r milk in your eighins ilmette 55 or order gi on milkman es your door. Bowman DAIRY COMPANY THE MILK MILK OF SUPERIOR FLAVOR

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