Mad Capers Review

GYRO SHOW WAS POPULAR PRODUCTION. – “Mad Capers” Was Financial Success. – Proceeds Have Swelled Swimming Pool Fund. – Work On Pool Will Be Started At Early Date.

            “Mad Capers,” the musical comedy staged here under Gyro auspices last week was a distinct success from all angles.  The play went forward with a swing in every performance to provoke the laughter of the audiences, clever acting and brilliant costuming, choruses, specialties and group dancing lending a metropolitan air to the production.

            As Robert Harding, wealthy realtor, Chester Staples was the pivotal point of a screamingly funny farce, Beulah Hill as Paula, his daughter, Louise Robertson, as Barbara, a chorus girl, Mrs. F. Marsh as Mrs. Harding, Charlie Thomas as Jack Harding, Dr. Fergie as Alfred Stone, Mr. Harding’s business associate, Bert Sang as Stanley Bartlett, an attorney, Wallace Gove as Dick Cumberland, in love with Paula, Mrs. Chas. Staples as the wife of Percival Palmer (George Simpson), Mrs. Fergie as Beatrice Beamish, from Bennett’s boarding house, her escort, James Buchanan (Tom Marshall), Alan DeWolf as a vaudeville artist, Bessie McBroom as Adele Adair his partner, Jack Ellis as the policeman, Jack DeWolf as son of Mr. Stone, Susanne Staples as Marjorie Cumberland, Jack’s not-to-be-forgotten sweetheart, Miss Elsie Wilby as Susan the maid, and Jack Atchison as George, waiter at the club, all gave splendid support to Mr. Staples in the leading role.

            Girls of the chorus were Pearl Sweeney, Jean Glendinning, Grace McLure, Jean Flett, Kaye Murphy, Flora Dow, Ivy McPherson, Mabel Parker, with Bill Taylor, Doug Campbell, Johnny Kessler, Jack Barber, Don Burton, Tom Marshall, Lorne Watson and Eddie Taylor in support.

            In a golf dancing turn were Enid Shankland, Evelyn Bowley, Ted McKay, Barbara Beale, Lillian Webster, Mary Small, Lorna Barber, Suzanne Staples and Gladys DeWolf.

            Yachting girls dancers were Marguerite Godderis, Grace Baker, Helen Wright, Pearl Sweeney, Elsie Wilby, Eileen McQuaid, Sylvia Baher, Evelyn Ward, Kay Dallas, Molly Johnson, Kathleen Edmondson, Esabel Frame, Maude Wright, Ruth Chalender, Ingrid Bakken, Barbara Beale, Kathleen Haley, Ethel Nelly, Betty Lunn and May Nelly.

            Caperettes were Hazel Bowley, Barbara Beale, Enid Shankland, Madeline Woodman, Mary Rankins, Pauline Bowness, Mary Small, Ted McKay, Lillian Webster, Evelyn Bowley, Lorne Barber, Marriet Home.

            Chorines were Madeline Woodman, Elsie Wilby, Grace Baker, Kathleen Edmondson, Pauline Bowness, Marguerite Godderis, Eileen McQuaid, Maude Wright, Kathleen Dallas, Mary Rankins, Molly Johnston, Harriet Home, Sylvia Baker, Maye Nelly.

            In the orchestra were Vic Edwards, piano; Bert Turner and Roy Linnell, violins; J. Ingles, cornet; G. Patmore, saxophone; Dave Kay, trombone; Vincent Fink, bass viol; Walter Ingles, drums.  Mrs. F.M. MacPherson accompanied on the piano for a special dance number by Al DeWolf.

            “Mad Capers” went over big.  Nothing was missed in the telling of the story of the wealthy Mr. Harding (Chester Staples) suddenly losing all recollection of the happenings of his riper manhood, of the distress of his wife (Nan Marsh) when her husband failed to recognize her, of Mr. Harding’s scandalizing his family and business associates with his carrying on, with his own son an unwilling companion, at the Wellborn Club, and of the restoration of his memory when a policeman clubbed him over the head for alleged unruly conduct.  Others who caught the eye of the audience were Miss Louise Robertson, Miss Beulah Hill, Mrs. Marsh, Dr. Fergie, Bert Sang, Charlie Thomas, Mrs. Staples, Mrs. Fergie, Wallace Gove, George Simpson, Alan DeWolf, Jack DeWolf, Miss Suzanne Staples, Mrs. Bessie McBroom.  Minor parts were well handled by Tom Marshall and Jack Atchison.

            No less gratifying than the success of the production was the comfortable balance remaining after all expenses were met, the net profits, about four hundred dollars, going to swell the swimming pool fund.  The Gyros now have in hand sufficient money to complete construction of the pool early in the summer and have announced intention of making a start on the work as soon as weather conditions permit.

            The opening of the pool, probably in June, will be marked by a midway, with accruing profits earmarked for pool purposes.