V. S. Watkins

              1919

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V. S. Watkins


V. S. WATKINS
V. S. Watkins does what very few people are able to do—presents a drama, a play or a book, introducing a number of characters of widely different types, assumes their personalities in rapid sequence, and makes us see and feel and enjoy the play or book as we could not do without the portrayal of the master interpreter.  This is a type of art that is perhaps not fully appreciated.  His ability as an interpreter approaches that of the writer of the play or the author of the book.

To present the characters in these plays, there are certain qualities in the reader that are essential.  It requires brains in the first place.  It requires a positive character and a good conception of the feelings and sympathy of the ordinary human heart.

Given a fair stage artistry, an ordinary person may, perhaps, impersonate a certain type of characters.  An ordinary man or woman may present successfully a weak character.  But to present a strong character—a big, powerful man, or a remarkable woman—requires more than artistic attainments.  It requires a strong character.

While Mr. Watkins' artistic attainments are great, his dramatic ability unusual, he could not succeed so well if, underneath all, he did not possess the ordinary and necessary personal qualifications of a successful American man.




Bambi
Bambi is the story of a most likeable girl.  She is the sort that every girl would like to be—sweet, very much alive, natural.  Left quite to herself by her foster father, Prof.  Parkhurst, who gives his time to his books, she grows up to follow her natural impulses.  The story is gripping in its interest, for she is a girl of many ideas, which she proceeds naturally to bring into action.  She at once does some unexpected things, which bring about some interesting and novel situations, forming the body for this most entertaining piece of comedy.

Bambi decides to marry Jarvis Jocelyn, a young playwright, because she feels he needs someone to care for him, just as she has cared for the Professor.  Jarvis is so absorbed in his work, so egotistical and self-centered, that marriage is outside his consideration.  Bambi does not consult him in the matter, but proceeds to marry him while he is in a work-fit.  Upon recovering from his temperamental trance, he finds himself married.

The humor and novelty in this situation as suggested by the three principal characters is readily apparent.  The other characters are nearly equally interesting.  Mr. Watkins impersonates each character most accurately, develops the climaxes very effectively, and gives a highly entertaining program in this story of Bambi.



The Fortune Hunter
A young ne'er-do-well, having failed in all business undertakings, acts upon the advice of his best friend: to go to some small country town, get a small position as clerk, go to church on Sunday and gain the admiration of some rich farmer and marry his daughter.

He selects his town and succeeds in winning the love of a rich man's daughter but finds himself in love with the daughter of a poor old inventor.  He makes good in business, and marries his real love.  The role of the ne'er-do-well was created by Jack Barrymore and was played with great success throughout the country.  The play is a delightful farce, full of fun and action.




Bought and Paid For
A Play by GEORGE BROADHURST.

Bought and Paid For is a drama of today, with a strong plot and thrilling situations, in which a beautiful girl marries a wealthy man whom she does not love.  A familiar theme of great interest, which has made this play so popular, so much in the magazines and papers, as to require no further comment to interest everyone in wanting to hear the play.



Miscellaneous Program
Mr. Watkins, upon request in advance, will give instead of Bambi, The Fortune Hunter or Bought and Paid For, a miscellaneous program.



What the Critics Say of Mr. Watkins
Mr. V. S. Watkins has all the qualities of an artist, the rare combination of vision with intelligence, and his interpretations reveal not only the thoroughness of hard study, but of the faithfulness that comes only with an understanding of the character he portrays.  Mr. Watkins is a fine reader, a pleasing actor, and, not the least, a gentleman it is worth while to know.

CASPER S. YOST, Editor St. Louis Globe-Democrat.


An audience composed of the literary people of East St. Louis assembled in the spacious auditorium of the Elks' Hall Friday night to hear V. S. Watkins, a splendid elocutionist, who read a scene from Bought and Paid For and several miscellaneous numbers with great dramatic skill.—
East St. Louis Journal.

Mr. V. S. Watkins has won for himself high and deserved distinction as an interpreter of the drama.  His delineation of character without scenery or costume, the life he gives to every word, places him in the front rank of this great art.  His personality has a charm and strength that attracts at once.

ELIZABETH MORSE, Principal Morse School of Expression, St. Louis.


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ESTABLISHED SINCE 1868

JAMES REDPATH
Founder of the Lyceum