Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1906-02-06

One OF the most Interesting drama
tic events Of the season concerns the
engagement Of Florence Roberts at
the Duncan Feb. s. In that the popu.
lar emotional star will produce Tor
the first time In this city "The
Strength Of the Weak a new modern
play In four acts by Alice NJ, Smith.
The fact that Miss Roberts has chos.
on the west In which to produce her
latest Offering must needs awake un'
common interest among playspers.
Ever since her advent on the stage
she has steadily demonstrated her
ability az an emotional actress, nd
vancing each year to nor serious
work until finally Florence Roberts
ID. placed among the leading feminine
stars Of the country. Her interpre-
tatit0ns Of "Zaza," 'ress." Maggie"
are still fresh In the minds Of theatre.
goars and It n probably only fair
to assume that the production Of 1.-The
Strength Of the Weak" which will
comprise Miss Roberts only offering
this season. win be looked for with
considerable interest. Instead OF
following other actresses In famous
roles, Miss Roberts begins this sea.
SON a new regime Of her career: under
the direction OF John Cort she is to
create a new part each season for the
next five years. In 1.-THE Strength Of
the Weak" the actress is said to have
a part totally different from anything
else she has ever attempted. and at
the same time one that will reveal her
in an atmosphere admirably suited
to her ability as an emotional actress.
The action OF the play begins on the
graduation day at an American unt-
versity for women, all Of the locales
being placed in and near New York
city. Pauline Darcy, the class vale.
dictorian. has written a book suppos-
ed to reflect certain phases OF her
life and her relations with an unscru.
polous guardian who provided her ed
ucation. he book Is published anony-
mously and with the proceeds she In
tends to repay Mr.. Abbott, her guar
dian, the amount he has expended on
her. Abbott is really in love with
the girl. but when, asked to marry
her and help her bury the sin OF
her past he refuses because he Is al
ready married! this gives Pauline An
opportunity for freedom. She meets
Richard Adams, who, unbeknown to
her Is Abbottt's son. The two be-
,cme betrother. Pauline's book has
become the subject Of literary as well
as drawing room discussion. The
second act occurs at Mrs. Dare's
place on Long Island, during a hunt
club ball. Tom Dare has annoyed
Pauline with his attentions and pro.
posals. She rejects both. A servant
formerly in Abhott's employ ovarhears
their disagreement. He tells Dare oil
Pauline's former relations WITH All
bott, her guardian. Dare is about to
use this information before the as
sembled company when it Is discover
cd that Pauline is the author OF the
hook SO widely discussed. Richard
Adams saves the situation By an
nouncing their betrottal. The tY9 'snb
sequent acts in Pauline's ffa4hiona
hle apartments in New York are re
plete with strong scenes and com
~plications which lead through splen
did dramatic situations to a perfectl,
natural denouement. The characters
are all natural and portray typea
which We are all familiar rather thar
the impossible theatric creations
While some mystery surrounds tn
patrorize OF the author. who Y
said to be a prominent physician Q
Tacoma. Wash. It Is undoubtedly
! fact that Miss Roberts claims to hav'
the best play Of modern construction
which has ever been her good ffortun'
to prodnce. Not only does her owl
part cover a wide swathe Of human
emotions. but nearly every othe
character in the play Is important
Miss Roberts has assembled a con
pany OF capable players, headed b
/, Max Figman, the well known coined
on. under whose direction the pa
is produced. Such well known actor
: AZ James f. WILSON. Eugene Ormond'
Robert ,EgtWh1e, ItDiuA Henffers0s
Gregory RolysANceephs tiaseite'
Adelaide Mahela. Florence Robinsct
Lucille S~niRyHDrAllRa Lsliis
Arnsby and ~ 9eftr8ndISRHp!i1,
the personnel 81 NE cast..
ehawhan Four Generation Whiske