Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1893-12-09


On Thursday evening, 7th inst, by in
vitation of Col. and Mrs. Pearson, the
excellent play, "Joy is Dangerous" was
given by an improvised company of
ladies and gentlemen, mostly resident in
the city and post, supplemented on this
occasion by Miss Gulliford and her father,
who has lately arrived from London, En-
gland. The coming of this gentleman
seemed favorable opportunity to pre-
sent Madame de Girardin's famous COM
edy for the entertainment of Col. and
Mrs. Pearson's guests. A rumor of Mr..
Gulliford's histrionic talents had by some
means been noised abroad, and finding he
had arranged to prolong his stay in Santa
Fe, the troupe decided to request the aid
of his experience. He readily responded
to the call, and no doubt was amply re-
paid by the complete success of the per-
Torrance. Thanks to the exquisite taste
and untiring efforts of Mrs. Pearson, the
stage presented perfectly charming pic
ture; in fact, many a company of "the"
profession has not the benefit of such a
thoroughly well-appointed and delightful
mise en- scene" All must have worked
with will, and the result was in
deed grand success, every one of the
performers acquitting themselves to per-
lection. It would not be possible 10
praise too highly the fine conception by
Mrs. Prince of the character of Madame
des Aubiers, one of the last of the old
French haute noblesse as it still existed
at the date of the Franco German war in
/ 1901. The grave stateliness of her de-
meanor, and the grace with which her
Inequalities were offered IN the opening
act, stamp this lady as an artistic of great
talent; while in the impassioned scene in
which the restoration of her son Adrien is
made known to her, she revealed depth
of feeling as creditable to her heart as to
her art. She was ably and exquisitely
supported by the Mathilde and Blanche
of the piece, played respectively by Mrs
Kirkman and Miss Gulliford, the latter
representing Blanche, the daughter in esse
of the Frenchlady, and the former Mathilde
her daughter in posse, being betrothed to
her son Adrien. The acting Of both these
ladies was indeed excellent, the part OF
Mathilde being exceedingly difficult, re-
curing most delicate handling, and re.
ceiving from Mrs. Kirkman thorough
and intelligent interpretation. As to
Blanche, Miss Gulliford evidently had nc
difficulty in grasping the character of the
loving daughter who has to console hel
mother for the loss of Adrien (son
and brother,) supposed to have been
killed in the war. Her unbounded Joy al
his sudden return after many weary
months, and the clever manner in which
she gradually breaks the good news to hel
mother, were indeed most artistically
rendered. The Adrien of Gen. Bartlett
and the Lucien of Mr.. Butler gave evil
dence of painstaking study by these two
gentlemen, already favorably known to
their friends in Santa Fe for their dram.
attic abilities. They threw themselves
heart and soul into their parts, and con
tributed materially to the ease with which
the action of the play was developed
The great role of Noel was created by M
Got, and Mr.. Gulliford proved himself an
efficient exponent of the old family
servant; more a friend than dependent
however, character not yet extinct
among the ancient families of France
Naturally, he is garrulous and not at all
backward in asserting his own opinions
but studious all the time of the welfare
of his mistress, and devoted to hel
children. Of course he assumes tyran.
rical air with the daughter Blanche when
he considers the occasion requires it; and
the grand way in which these scenes went
on between Miss Gullifod and her father
let no doubt as to the source ofthe lady's
| insnirationa Thara were 140 invited
guests in attendance ard they enjoyed
the occasion to the utmost. The thanks
of all present are due to Col. and Mrs
Pearson for the great treat they provided
An excellent selection of music was rem
dered by the orchestra of the 10th in
fantry.