THE PEA GREEN EARL
The comic opera of this year bids fair to be a huge success, and to be equal to the best produced Prom and Commencement show that Dartmouth has seen. The book and lyrics are by E. R. Palmer '10, and the music is by L. S. Wiggin 'lO. The book is full of humor, and the lyrics are witty in the extreme, while the music is in lighter and catchier vein than in former shows. Rehearsals are in charge of Geo. V. C. Lord, a professional coach. Mr. Lord has some especially attractive dances, and is sure to prove a valuable asset to the show.
The story is of the usual comic-opera simplicity. The scene opens in the courtyard of the Earl of Dartmouth's castle in England. . William, the "Pea Green Earl," is worrying his parents because he is of such a butterfly nature and seems to have no ambition. Caroline, the daughter, is also cause for worry, she having become an enthusiastic suffragette. She has lately become implicated in a London street row, during which she threw a grapefruit at the Prime Minister, who, thinking it a bomb, has set Scotland Yard on her trail. Amid the confusion, she is hurried away by an unknown young American. On the advent of American tourists, Mrs. Mercer, daughter Ruth, and Pierce, a Rhodes Scholar from New Hampshire, influence is brought to bear on William to go to Dartmouth College, across the water. At this point, the young American, Jack Martin, a Junior at Dartmouth, appears with news that Scotland Yard is on the way to arrest Caroline, who, forced to leave the country, escapes in disguise.
The second act takes place at the tower of Dartmouth, where a fete is in progress, the occasion being the laying of the cornerstone of Tucker Hall, to preside over which the old Earl has crossed the water. William, incognito, is treated as an ordinary Freshman, which treatment considerably changes his view of life. Caroline, in spite of a warning telegram, has come to Hanover, where Scotland Yard assisted by Gothair arrests her. She is again saved.by Jack, who marries her, the same fate being in store for Ruth and William after many complications.
Of the songs, "Come Along," "When Fascinating Fatty Joined the Frat," "Just then the Hero Came Around the Corner," and "There Are Some Things," are featured extensively.
The cast: The Earl .S. P. Tuck '13 Lady Evelyn, his wife L. H. Sisson '10 William, his son J. R. Erwin '12 Caroline, his daughter S. Pishon '10 June, his cousin H. H. Semmes 'l3 Jack Martin, Junior at Dartmouth A. C. Keough '13 Pierce, Rhodes Scholar from N. H. J. R. Everett 'lO Mrs. Mercer W. S. Carlisle '11 Ruth, her daughter C. A. Pfau '13 The Cook Jeff, detective H. F. Lena 'l2 Gaspard, chauffeur Jem, detective F. C. Batchellor 'lO Tutor Prof. X. A. S. Dunning '11 Chief Gothair J. J. Troy '13 Hunters, huntresses, cooks, chauffeurs, waitresses, Smith girls, college boys, etc., etc.
