Vicksburg theater offering performance depicting typical southern characters
Published 9:06 pm Friday, February 3, 2017
- AT THE STRAND: From left, Tracey Glomstad and her husband, Steve Glomstad, with Period Time Promotional Filming, portray Varina Banks Howell Davis and Jefferson Davis in the “I, Varina” narratives, “Brierfield.”
Times were different in the South during the 19th century. Women’s roles in the home were dutiful and gentlemen were bound by a code of conduct.
This weekend the Strand Theatre will host narrative performances by Steve and Tracey Glomstad, owners of Period Time Promotional Filming, depicting typical southern characters who lived during this era.
The oral interpretations will come to life through two characters, Mrs. James T. Hamilton and Varina Banks Howell Davis, Tracey Glomstad said, and on Friday she will take on the role of Mrs. Hamilton.
Hamilton is a fictional character whose narrative will focus on Vicksburg.
The narrative is entitled, “Mrs. James T. Hamilton — In the Mind of a Southerner Warren County, As We Were.”
The narrative begins in 1828 and will continue through 1861 with events taking place at Hamilton’s family plantation, Halcyon, Glomstad said, which is a fictional home set in Vicksburg.
The monologue will include tales of presentation into society, the marriage to Mr. Hamilton, the birth of twin children, Hamilton’s pride as a southerner, and her love of Mississippi.
The character will also reveal intimate details of city life in Vicksburg during that time period and will reference Mrs. William T. Balfour and Mrs. Roach on Depot Street, Glomstad said.
Glomstad researches and writes her own narratives, she said, and for the character of Mrs. Hamilton she used Gordon A. Cotton’s “From the Letters of Emma Balfour 1847-1857,” Wilbur Cash’s “Mind of the South” and Christopher Morris’ “Becoming Southern, Warren County and Vicksburg Mississippi 1770-1860” as her historical references.
Glomstad’s husband will portray Mr. Hamilton, she said, and will join her on stage towards the conclusion of the performance.
On Saturday, Glomstad will take on the character of Varina Banks Howell Davis in the “I, Varina” narratives.
The performance is entitled “Brierfield.”
“Brierfield is the home of Varina and Jefferson Davis,” Glomstad said.
“It was located about eight miles from Vicksburg down on Davis Bend, which is now Davis Island,” she said.
The “I, Varina” narrative is often humorous, Glomstad said, because of the character’s personality, with the monologue including Varina and Jefferson Davis’ courtship and life on their beloved plantation.
At the conclusion of the narrative, Jefferson Davis will join his wife on stage and the two will exit to a touching rendition of “Dixie,” Glomstad said.
References Glomstad used for the “I, Varina” narratives were “Varina Howell Davis, Wife of Jefferson Davis,” Volume 1 & 2, by Eron Rowland, “Crown of Thorns and Glory” by Gerry Van Der Heuvel and “A Diary from Dixie” by Mary Boykin Chestnut.
From Grand Rapids, Michigan, Glomstad said she has always loved history, and she and her husband have been offering 19th century period performances for about fouryears.
“Our long term plan is to do a historical documentary on the Mississippi River,”
Both performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the theater, 717 Clay St. Tickets are $10 in advance at the Highway 61 Coffeehouse and $12 at the door.