Arizona republican., 1905-02-23
FLORENCE ROBERTS COMPANY
Gave Two Fine Performances at the
 Hardwick Yesterday.

| Florence Roberts and her excellent company were seen at the HardwicI i yesterday afternoon in a matinee per formance of Marta of the Lowlands. ' finishing their engagement last night ! in the presentation of "Tess of the D. | Urbervilles." Both entertainments were we'll attended there being few empty seats, though neither attracted quite so large an audience as "Zaza." The ] only surprise was that the theater was so nearly full, the playhouse having to divide attention with the races and the ball game yesterday and two popular balls and the shriner's annual cere- monial session last night
 Had it not heen for these diversions standing room would have been at a premium for the company has certain 1 ly won favor with the playgoing pub lie of Phoenix. It seems to be the opinion of those who saw all three per formances, that "Zaza" was the more interesting bill though the others were equally as well presented. But it is in that role that Miss Roberts is partic- ularly impressive and many who have seen Mrs. Carter, whose name is so necessarily associated with it, are quick to proclaim Miss Roberts her equal and some believe she surpasses her.
 In both of yesterdays performances there was greater opportunity for lead ing support and Melbourne Mcdowell the leading man fully maintained the good impression held of his art by those who have seen him before, here and elsewhere. In all three bills there are periods affording the greatest op- portunity fer emotional effects on the part of the leading character and it cannot ha said Mice TnbarfS uaor- lected any of them, -1or can it be charged that she failed either in con- ceptiOn or execution. There are times that call for humorous or vivacious ex- pression and her face fairly sparkIes with delight but for the most part her lines are sad and only those entirely bereft of human sympathy can fail to be touched by her depletion of the pit iful surroundings in which the hero inc is always. placed. As the vic tim of circumstances, but the honorable wife of the true hearted mountaineer in Marta of the lowlands or as the much abused and equally unfortunate English peasant girl who becomes the honorable wife of a man who cannot appreciate her true worth, or whose obedience to conventions re- strains him from acknowledging it, she
 
 heroine.
 Mcdowell as the brave and true hearted mountaineer, a simple goat herd, found better favor for the part itself was more commanding of res pect. Nevertheless he well fulfilled the requirements of the crafty D'Urber- vile, who despite his faults was touch ed sincerely by the real honor of the girl whose life he had ruined.
 William Terence made a good inn pression as Tomas in the matinee per fOrmance but was more spectacular in the character sketch of Sir John Dur beyfield. Louise Royce as the wife of the latter was a typical peasant of the sort demanded. Lucius Henderson as Angel Clare was well cast and even more impressive than in the work de- manded of him as Sebastian in the af-! ternoon performance.
 The minor parts were all well cared for though the interest in all plays of this kind so naturally centers around the leading characters that clever bits are often lost in the anxiety of the auditor to learn the fate of those most concerned in the story.