Early summer is always brimming with activities – graduations, weddings, and special events. Even in 1915, as reported in the Fargo Forum, June was alive with theatre, recitals, and more.
At the Fargo Academy’s new auditorium, celebrated works of William Shakespeare were presented over a week’s time. Hamlet and the Merchant of Venice were performed for six separate evenings with an admission price of 50 cents.
Over at the Fargo Auditorium, a company of players under the auspices of Henry W. Savage, presented “Everywoman.” With theatrical hyperbole, the play was called” Savage’s greatest production” and “acknowledged as America’s greatest producer!” The production boasted “a company of 37 principals, a beauty chorus, startling scenic and electrical effects and the last word in elegance in costumes, and an entire symphony orchestra.” The musical advertised that the show was “the only Henry W. Savage production to be seen in this city this season.” A wide range of ticket prices were available, starting at 50 cents and rising to a whopping two dollars for the best seats.
The senior class of the Agricultural College was also mounting their last play before commencement titled “Bridging the Chasm.” The press notice said the play “will present for consideration a problem which the state of North Dakota has to deal with. This chasm is the unnatural gulf between the city and the country … The action of the play is supposed to take place on the campus of the agricultural college (and is) a charming little romance in which a country boy and city girl … add heart-interest to the play.” The news story ended with “This will be given tomorrow at the agricultural college armory at 8 o’clock. Tickets are on sale at Fout and Porterfields drug store.”
Melody took the stage at the Fargo Conservatory of Music in the waning days of June. Twenty-seven selections of songs were announced for the weekend’s melodic cap of recital performances.
Finally, Fargo High School announced that they would graduate 58 students with music, pomp, prayer and circumstance to put a cap on their 1915 school year.
Dakota Datebook written by Steve Stark
Source:
Fargo Forum newspaper, June 4, 1915
