The San Francisco call., 1905-04-21

The romantic drama, Ramona, i"
which is now being played at the Grand
Opera House by Miss Virginia Cal
houn, is the subject Of much favorable
comment. Miss Mary Austin, the we'll
known writer and the author of Land
Of Little Rain" and "Ysfdro," speaks
highly Of Miss Calhoun's dramatization
Of Helen Hunt Jackson's book
Attorney John Jury, who in addition
to his work as a lawyer, is known as a
poet Of high merit, also commends Miss
Calhoun's dramatization. Miss Austin
writes:
On first seeing Miss Calhoun's Ramona one
must give room 10 generous surprise to find
mat book so incoherent one in which actu-
slity and art are so often sacrificed to phil
anthropy could be pulled into dramatic unity
To this succeeds the conviction that Miss
Calhoun has produced a trller tvpe OF the
mixed breed than Mrs. Jackson dared attempt
truer il fact TO the flow and balance Of the
mixed strains than any portrayal Of it in
act she touches the highest note OF verify
IN the return of Ramona TO the normal plane
OF loving and being loved Mrs Jackson,
you recall. represents her as spent and sObered
accepting Felipe from abomnable sense of
duty. which does not TO my knowledge in
here in the type That little touch Of pos
sible Jealousy In the fifth act is evidence that
Miss Calhoun grasps the essential capacity
OF the primitive soul 10 renew the emotional
marks the artistic climax OF her characterize.
ton.
Next after Ramona OF course interest CEN
ters IN the role of Allessandro- Certainly Mr.
Griffith in the part OF Allessandro has a real
problem. attempting as he must. to convey
an impression OF human passion through the
unfamiliar medium OF Indian behavior. Ii is
fair to say that half the difficulties OF the in
depreciation would be removed II audiences
knew more about Indians as they really are
for il is evident that all his variations from
strictest verities are concessions to dramatic
necessities
As whole the play is notable in being the
first and remarkably successful attempt to
portray the Indian and the mixed breed from
MARY AUSTIN
Mr. Jury states his opinions of the
work as follows:
Californians are as a rule intensely loyal to
their own State. That loyalty. however runs
too much 70 climate. We are proud Of our
summer days in December, OF our Nav days in
August, OF our rich grain fields. OF our bounti-
ful orchards. Of wonderfully productive
vineyards. Tourists met by the omnipres-
ent real estate agent and as a consequence
only the commercial side OF natures favor and
bounty is emphasized. Seldom do we turn
the romantic days through which State has
passed, to read Of the mission fathers and
their simple. sacrificing lives OF the Indians
OF former days, prosecuted, vet brave natural
philosophical.
Helen Hunt Jackson attempted to do for the
Indian what Harriet Beecher Stowe did for
the slave OF the SOQtn- Inc american people
fought the greatest and most awful war that
has ever been fought that the Judgment of the
North in reference TO slavery might be sus-
tained The same people have remained cal
lous and Indifferent TO the cruelty practieed
upon the red The story Of Ramona. now
being presented nightly at the Grand Opera
house, is one OF deep naturaIness. tender affec
tion. Of purity and loyalty in love. Of devotion
and Of sorrow. Miss Virginia Calhoun in her
drHmatiZation Of Mrs. Jacksons work has dis
PLAYED high art and g clear purpose. The
play is perneated with the atmosphere of the
open plains and the lofty mountains. And
Ramona, that sweet flower OF the days be
fore the Gringo came" IS as beautifully nat
ural as the golden poppy that brightens the
long slopes of San Jacinto. / cannot refrain
from enjoining those whose hearts are yearn-
ing for something from the stage that reflects
the soul OF early California to hear Virginia
Calhoun in Ramona Here is child OF
California In California play of her own
dramatization on California subject. II a
mere laynan might be permitted 10 utter a
prophecy would say that the East and Eu-
rope II this play is ever presented in those
far away places will be stirred to their very
depths not only with the romance OF this
story but with the inexpreszible charm that Is
reflected In the warmth Of color. newness Of
melody and quaintness OF scenes that distin-
gufeh Il All honor and encouragement TO
this little woman. whose dramatic work, both
as writer and actress. is as purely Californian
throughout as the scenes and situations that
inspired Helen Hunt Jackson 10 write the story
Of the crimes committed upon the red man In
the name OF civilization. JOHN g. JURY.