Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-05-27
THE RIVALS.
NORMAL STUDENTS PUT SHERI
DAMS CLASSIC PLAY ON THE
BOARDS.
A CreditabIe Amateur Performance
Star Achievement Of George Degner
-commendibie Work of Others.

The players who entertained a fair
house at the Duncan last night, In
Sheridan's old classic, "The Rivals"
are amateurs. This fact being taken
into consideration. the performance
, was a creditable one. The Rivals is a
pretty stiff proposition for young men
and women n~nlessoned in dramatic and
theatrical arts. Always, II has been
popular. and when well staged and
c~leverly interpreted ii affords a pleas
ing and clear picture of certain strata
OF English society In the closing days
of he Eighteenth century. The broad
but enhancing humor. the brilliant
| dialogue. the unity OF the closely WOW
en- plot. combine TO make the play a
masterpiece. excelled by Sheridan him
self, but by few others since his day.
The names of several of the charact-
ers have become household words, and
Bob Acres as interpreted by the in
imitible Jefferson confused two con-
~tinents with laughter.
This same rollicking, Draggart, crav-
en- country gentleman Fighting Bob"
was well done last night by George
William Degner. who easily captured
the right to be called the star Of the
evening. The young man is to be con-
graduated upon his excellent interpre-
tation Of a role which many experience
ed and clever comedians would APP
proach with awe.
Miss Pearl Barker was energetic and
fluent in the famous part Of Mrs. Mala-
prop. There may be some question as
to whether or not she had caught ex-
actly the authors idea OF the unique
character, but she made herself a fav.
orite with the audience and Is deserv-
ing Of commentator.
Miss Lily Johnson has histronis gifts
much above the average, but OF pc
culiar quality. a quality that would in
sure ideal Interpretation OF a part
marked by reserve and hauteur. but her
endowments do not 1T her to make the
greatest success OF the pretty. senti-
mental role Of Julia. The young lady's
appearance was graceful and charm
ing and her ennunciation excellent.
Miss Cora P~ettijohn had, without
doubt. made a most careful study Of
the part Of Lydia Languish, and carried
1t through with considerable clever.
ness. The smoothest and best acting
OF the evening was in the scene II
Acres lodgings between Bob and Sil
Lucious O'Trigger. the latter charact
or impersonated by Thomas Blake.
The customing was effective. al
though the uniform Of Captain Abso
lutte was impossible. The actors were
almost letter perfect in their parts
and beyond question the careful stud,
of one Of the greatest Of plays ha'
proven of great benefit to all the par
Elephants. The audience, knowing al
the players and realizing the Difficult
ties OF the fine old play, excused an.
[ i~mpcrfections and enjoyed the evening
J immensely. The Young actors receiv
ed many compliments upon their en-
terprse and c%leverness. The full
r cast follows:
Sir Anthony Absolute Joe s. Bowmal
Captain Absolute Ed. Thos. Syringe
! Falkland .......... Eldon G. Tuttl'
Acres ...... George William Degne
Sir Luicus O'Trigger Thomas =. Blak'
rug ...... 1890. ..'""co A'o'"
! David 1890. -. Charles /. Jone'
/. Thomas -. -. Harry ID. Hoskin'
Mrs. Malaprop ........ Pearl Barkel
Lydia Languish Cora Hume PettijohI
Julia ............ Lily q. johnson
, Lucy -. ..... Matte Barker
Maid ...... Katherine +. Mcconnell
Servant -. $3.50. Janctte Danzige'
Bow Master Arthur Bonhein
---~e-S--
pat Younr md Pierce j. Murphy re