Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-07-30
LAST MionT's PLAY.
The Young People Present . Splendid
Performances at the Duncan.

A splendid audience greeted the
members OF Troop A when the curtain
o last night on the prologue Of
"A Texas Steer" The troop had made
for itself an enviable reputation in
amateur dramatic by It's first produce
ton, The Girl | Left Behind Me-"
and the audience were expecting that
the play OF last night, though OF a
very different nature. would bring out
an equally high order OF talent. In
this they we're not mistaken. From
the insignificant bell boy to the multi
millionaire cattle king, every one
played their part with credit. The
amateur atmosphere was almost en-
tirely lacking-the audience sat at
ease, expecting none Of those painful
moments which so often characterize
the work Of less experienced perform
ers, though the tender sensibilities
Of some seemed shocked at the shoot
ing and drunken tumult Of the rep
resentatives Of the Farmers Alliance;
but then we expected the old time
Texan to shock delicate nerves.
Miss Louise Reed. who, ~ Bran
der's pet, took the principal role
among the young ladies, played her
part In . delightfully."- charming and
natural manner She blossomed out
from the flower Of the plains into the
parlor plant Of metropolitan life In
q most satisfactory manner. A
naughty spirit or a winning manner
were equally well portrayed.
Miss May Reynolds ~ Mrs. Brander
in = less prominent role. sustained
her part admirably. and the change
from the busting Texas housewife 70
the dignined lady Of fashion was well
carried out.
Miss Jane La Rue. Al the ofhcer's
wife, In q becoming costume Of white,
fitted well into her role which was
principally a scenic one.
Miss Teresa Long. as Dixie Stile,
l'had only a little part to play, or rather
little game" but she played her
little game well-nigh perfectly and
won IN addition to the stake very IA
voreble comments from thu audience
The young ladies all appeared per
fectly 1t ease. and with their beauti
full gowns made q picture suficiently
fair fU the most e~xactins audience.
Robert II. Gross, as Maverick Bran
der. the Texas cattle king, and poll
tician, sustained in q most gratifying
manner tho leading role OF the play
He showed that his natural ability a
an actor which he has previously dis
played In 4 dramatic role combines
also 4 keen appreciation Of the com
cdy. His portrayal OF the energetic
eccentric type Of character which tn
frontier civilization produces, ant
which after comIcM efforts manifested
the American characteristic Of adapts
bilIty. showed careful study and har'
work.
Ludwig VIM. Ilfeld, as Captain Far
leigh Bright. played rather an unsat
isfactory part irP a quite satisfactor!
manner. He got about all he c0ult
out OF a role handicapped by such
name.
Edward McWeme did the Brass!
Gall act In nne shape and also SHOWED
that there Ia something In q name
He played hts gall against Branderi
pistol aud Brander paid the bill.
Archie Marshall, as Knott limit
and ". b. Barnes, ~ Fishback, boil
put considerable originality into thei
parts and were warmly received.
Captain Harrington. as Colonel PEP
per. had dignity enough for q wnol
army, which he only lost once unde
most amusing circumstances.
! Upton. Danxiger and Hays. 4
i. Yell, Drag and Blow. ,~ere. OF course
in . class by themselves. They ar
not supposed TO have nice things sal
} about them. They were raised
/ Texas, and what they raised We won
mention. but II was Z plenty. Thel
leader, Major Yell. was the worst Z
a the three. which means that he wa
! the best.
Everybody VA. good, and We don
{ have to kameI ihsa 70 prove II.
The Red Dog Brass Band was In
mcnse: II could hold Its own an,
where.
O. r. Schaffero. who appeared In
! speciality part. sang Away Down
Texas" In excellent styld He r
sponded to an cor with 20. M
Drander." an original paraphrase
20, MIR. Dooley," which was well don
The play throughout reflected gre
. credit on the work OF Mr.. Il. G. for
\ who coached as well ~ managed 4
;. performance. 4 Especially in u
.mnkauns. and In the easy and M