Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-01-23
ADJUSTMENTS.

There We're many points OF similarity
between the Initial appearance Of Miss
Florence Roberts at the Theater last
night and the FIRST night Of the men,
orabe engagement OF Nance O'Neill at
the same house. Both actresses hailed
from California; both We're previously
almost unknown TO Salt Lake Theater
audiences. both had such confidence in
what our verdict would be on the open
ing night that they took the risk Of
booking long engagements both came,
saw, and conquered Indeed the sue
cess Of Miss Roberts last night hardly
fell second 10 that achieved by Nance
O'Neill. Perhaps this Is all the more
wonderful that IN choosing "Zaza" as
her opening play, she challenged COM
parison with that most peerless OF
American actresses Mrs. Leslie Carter.
who created the role, ana VINO gave Il
To our theatergOers two years ago. That
Miss Roberts emerged from the ordeal
triumphant was still further matter
OF astonishment to her auditors last
night, and must have been matter OF
oongratulation to herself
Every experienced theatergoer knows
what "Ia1a' Is. II is not a play that
one would like 60 escort high school
students, boys or girls to witness. It's
story does not leave a pleasant taste In
the mouth but after one has grown ac.
customod 60 the view point Of life from
which tbe dramatist takes his story,
ana has overcome The FIRST shock OF
finding himself plunged into the life Of
q section OF Partisan society rarely
presented on the stage. he cannot fail
% be absorbed and enchanted with the
interest OF the play Underneath It all,
too, there Is perhaps lesson 1.-The les
son of 'Nhat folly, ignorance. and sin
leads 10 on the part OF either man on
woman. To Miss Roberts credit let Il
I've said that she avoids much OF the
hroadness, even the sugEestveness,
that Mrs Garter impaired 10 the role.
She was the ignorant, but broad
hearted lmpulslve girl OF the sluns to
perfection. Her acting rose TO heights
~ positive grandeur az times and the
thTlll that went through the audience
az the conclusion Of her powerful
fourth act was OF the most magnetic
kind. Time after time she was recalled
20 bow her acknowledgements. Her
Company is IN on ways excellent. In
deed IL was most refreshing 70 End a
star surrounded by such capable lat
Of players First and foremost was our
old friend Lucius Henderson. who was
FIRST introduced TO Salt Lakers In Ned
Rcyles Friends" His part WIS
despicahle one but the manner IN
which he played it Invested ID OF much
of Us Objectionable character. he
shared the honors bestowed upon the
star Miss Woodthorpe. as the bsbulous
aunt showed the possession o. a high
order % comedy talent An the ladies'
are excellent and a special word should
be said Tor the refined acting OF Miss
karheit as the wife. and the truthful
characterization OF Miss blanchard as
Alice. Mr. Nermnce. Mr. Scott ana Mr..
Ryan also contributed excellent work.
The same hlll goes tonight. and with
out doubt win draw an enormous audi
ence. Last nights turnout was a very
good one.
During the evening the orchestra won
a hearty burst Of applause for an ex-
celent rendition Of selection from
"Florodora."
A hilarious bunch Of nonsense Is that
comprised within the two leaves Of the