Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-10-07
RAMONA PLEASEs


Of enhancing music, the depth Of
pathos redeemed by the saving grace
of irresistible humor, gorgeous color
ing. radiant beauty, picturesque
dances, rare poetry and through all
running like thread Of gold one OF
the sweetest and strongest stories Of
human love ever told--all these are
found in that beautiful drama of the
heart, Ramona, brilliantly presented
at the Duncan last night by Miss Vir-
ginia Calhoun and the members Of
her clever company.
The audience was large. 1t has
been long since a company has So
completely carried a Las Vegas gath
ering tout of itself" as did the gifted
leading lady and her supporters last
night. Many times during the per-
formance, irrepressible applause
broke forth and more than once the
audience refused to be stilled after
the curtain had gone down until the
brilliant close of the completed scene
had been repeated.
Nowhere can the tragic, beautiful
story Ramona be as appreciatively
understood as in the sunny south
land of the west. As presented by
the Calhoun company, the scenery is
admirable, the gorgeous costuming
correct and the pictures from the
early home Of the conquered con-
quistadores are natural and effective.
xs,.ch - hoort irtoroct thoro 1. 4,
Helen Hunt Jackson's thrilling and
pathetic story and this has been not
only preserved but accentuated by the
playwright.
The central figure of the play.
around which all the scenes and other
actors are grouped most fascinating
~, Is lovely. loving, high-spirited,
impulsive Ramona herself. To the
portrayal OF this beautiful and diff
ficult part. Miss Calhoun brings an
artistic and responsive temperament.
personal charms, thorough
training and dramatic ability Of the
highest order. She plays the part
with an abandon and un-
and emotional powers as
delightful as they are rare. During
the play she Is not Miss Calhoun but
the passionate, peerless Ramona.
It is the fact that the play deals
with the deepest. most elemental emo
tions OF a people in the elemental
stage, OF development that renders its
appeal to the average audience so
profound.
The idea Is further carried out by
Walter Shannon as Alessandro. He
is the brightest flower Of the Califor-
MIA Indian race-a race that had
reached place Of pride and dignity
before the advent Of the Spaniard or
the Anglo-Saxon. Alessandro Is the
Of all the power and pride
and unconquorable spirit and rude
culture Of race to whom disposses-
sion brought all the bitterness of
death. Ably Mr. Shannon interprets
this role. The scenes between the
son of the Aztec kings and the beau.
tiful maiden were ideal and the un-
pathos which grew with the
progress Of the play held the audience
as by spell.
The somberness and sorrow of the
play is lightened by the delightful
humor of Aunt ri, the whole-hearted,
rough and ready wouan without
frills" from the mountains of Ten
nessee. Mr.. Elliott Is new 10 the part
of Don Felipe, but he did 1t well.
Miss Stone capably portrayed the
stern, proud character of Sonora
Moreno. Mr.. Gregory was good in his
part of the vilianous prospector, bur
the smaller and darker william Is
iarring note In the play. He Is en-
tirely incapable of doing the role but
with the exception of the indian ora
tor this was about the only feature
that seriously detracted from the ef.
feet of the whole.
The reproduction of Indian and
dances and the old mission
and Indian songs was hearty enjoy.
ed.
The manager Of the company is
Arthur Warde, son of the great
actor, Frederick
Warde. The gentleman is pleased
with the hearty appreciation with
which the play has been received by
southwestern audiences.