The “Singin Skule Beginment” Staged Comedy, Randolph, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/newspapers/singinskule.txt ============================================= USGENWEB PROJECT NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Project Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file is copyrighted and contributed by: William Fischer, Jr. ============================================= September 2001 Advertisements for a staged comedy performed by local people in Roanoke. THE FUNNY “SINGIN SKULE” ---------------------------- Funnier than the “Old Deestrickt Skule” and “Old Maid’s Convention” rolled into one, is the “Singin Skule Beginment” which the ladies of the Methodist church have secured and will present on Tuesday night, June 9th [date later changed]. The entertainment comes under the management of Mr and Mrs J Bassett WILLARD, of Cincinnati, who will send Mrs J M BILLINGSLY, one of their very best conductors, to coach and drill the forty or more local characters and play the leading comedy part. No local talent entertainment in recent years has scored such a hit as the “Singin Skule Beginment,” not only in the smaller cities, but in Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Louisville, Nashville, Memphis, Evansville, and other leading cities, the largest auditoriums have not been large enough to hold the vast audiences that have desired to witness it. [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 27 May 1908, p.2] ------------------------------ NOTHING BUT LAUGHS ------------------------------ Buttons must be sewed on tight the night of the “Singin Skule Beginment” for the entertainment is said to be a regular “button buster.” It is a laugh at the start, a laugh at the finish and a prolonged laugh all the way through. The ladies of the Methodist church present this unique “side splitter” at WOOD’s Opera House with about forty leading local people in the cast. Will appear Friday night June 12th. [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 3 Jun 1908, p.3] ------------------------------ The main advertisement for the staged comedy “Singin Skule Beginment,” performed by Roanoke locals, included a list of performers and a photograph of the cast in costume: ------------------------------ Beauty, Grace, Wit and Humor Singin Skule Beginment Friday Nite June 12th 1908. KAST OF KARACKTURS Teachers Arabella Robkins [played by] Mrs. T. M. BILLINGSLEY Jeremire Robkins [played by] Mr. F. P. NICHOLS Hi Skule Gurls Alviry Slimmins [played by] Miss Lois WRIGHT Clementina Hanks [played by] Miss Lieta CHEWNING Lorella Everlove [played by] Miss Mary J. MANLEY Sophrinia Flinkins [played by] Miss Ethel WEST Jemina Larkins [played by] Miss Bernice ZACHRY Trilpy O’Farrell [played by] Miss Winnie HEFLIN Belindy Jumpup [played by] Miss Jessie WOOD Lillie Battercup [played by] Miss BEVIS Sum Mo Skollurs Juliet Shakespeare [played by] Miss M. ANDERSON Roriana Gigglesby [played by] Miss Maggie RAY Mercy Tweekins [no cast member listed] Jerusalem Jarkins [played by] Miss M W CHEWNING Charity Bumpkins [played by] Miss Ueal STEVENS Polly Rumpus [played by] Miss Nora WEST Argelina Turvedrop [played by] Miss Irma MOOTY Samantha Ann [played by] Mrs. J. F. COLLINS Old Maids Mirandy Wantomarry [played by] Miss M. J. BELCHER Mehitable Spooner [played by] Mrs. W. H. BRITTAIN Twins Baby Tweekins [played by] Mr. Lon SHANKS Tiny Tweekins [played by] Mr. Joe CARTER Black Mammy [played by] Mr. John MANLEY Youth Romeo Shakespeare [played by] Mr. Junior JONES [B. C. JONES, Jr.] Hezekiah Bumples [no cast member listed] Tommy Doodle [played by] Mr. J. A. JEFFERS Yellow Kid [played by] Herbert SATTERWHITE Zebulon Toodles [played by] Mr. Theo WOOD Meshack Joselyn [played by] Mr. J. W. RADNEY Willie Winkie [played by] Mr. Tom RADNEY Darius Catchafly [played by] Mr. Claude COLE Samuel Weller [played by] Mr. Elton TAYLOR Jehosaphat Junkins [played by] Mr. Rufus WEST Rube Spank [played by] Mr. Gus MOORE Hickory Jones [played by] Dr. G. M. SALIBA [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 10 Jun 1908, p.2]