Los Angeles herald., 1906-12-26
GREAT RUBY IS
BIG PRODUCTION
FERRIS COMPANY STARTS AT
THE AUDITORIUM
Drama Ran Very Late Last Night, and
Team Work Was Lacking, but In
the Main the Affair Gives
Hope for the Future

|
For a critic to Judge the work of 9
stock company whose members appeal
| together for the first time, when tht
| eXigencies of the situation prevent hi:
seeing more than half-and that the
small half-of the production, is mani
festly unfair, if judgment be based
strictly on dramatic ethics and along
! the same lines that one judges a fin
ished and thoroughly trained company
well up in team work, handled in q
theater after weeks of practice.
Hence, the opening of the Auditorium
by the Ferris company last night can
not in justice be considered on the
usual basis of dramatic judgment.
After several performances-better
after several productions-when the
rough edges are rounded off and the
sharp corners are toned down, it will be
right to put the organization on exactly
the same footing as others here of SINH
lar character are considered. 1t should
be understood that this is not done, in
the case of the Ferris company, whose
production of THE Great Ruby" is here
considered.
Therefore. when it is said that all
things considered, the opening was aus
picioUs, that the production was unusu-
ally sumptuous, and that in the main
it was we'll acted, 1t is with reserva-
tion and qualifications; these, honesty
and fairness demands.
In the first place, 1.-THE Great Ruby
is a very heavy melodrama, and it ran
last night till we'll after midnight. 1t
requires some score, more or less of
scenes, all of them heavy, and all unfa-
miliar to the stage hands, which made
waits long and tiresome. A very poor
orchestral program did not help these
any, and the packed house plainly
showed it's displeasure. An actor is
quick to catch atmosphere, and the
weariness of thes audience was not lost
upon the players, who were visibly
nervous at times. and uncertain in their
work occasionally. This made another
consideration which had to be observed
and allowed for.
But Notwithstanding these several
handicaps the performance gave prom
Use of much pleasure and success when
the players have it well in hand and es-
pecially when it is gone through with
ginger, verve and spirit. 1t would be
dishonest to say that these elements
were present in sufficient force last
night to counteract the others.
1t is however, plainly evident that
Dick Ferris has gathered together
company of superior players, individu-
ally speaking. Miss Stone is not only
beautiful; she is a consummate artist.
She dresses lavishly, che is at home in
her part, and her work is well nigh flaw
less. Andrew Robson is one of the best
and most polished men on the stage to-
day, and his work has all the earmarks
of the finished player These two would
sustain any performance and prevent
its failure, They did last night, de-
spite all the other weaknesses, their
work stood out above par.
In the main, the company AFFORDED
them excellent support. OF team work
there was naturally a conspicuous abb
sence, but we are now speaking of In
dividuals. Given the proper players and
the right spirit and the team work is
inevitable: time alone can say whether
these elements are possessed by this
organization or not. But individually,
the artists are capable of fine work;
last night showed this Enthusiastically.
Richard Pitman, Harry Won Meter-of
whom we need not be told-Hale Hamil-
ton, an especially sterling man; Rich
ard Tronton-somewhat stagy;-Harry
eastman and others, with Eleanor
Browning-barring a slight tendency to
overact ;-Rosalind Coghlan, Louise
Boyce, Jean Marsden and several more
all these show that much may be ex-
pected from them, always provided they
work together for the common good,
which. after all, is the secret of stock
company success. AS stated, this was
not SO much in evidence last night, but
one could hardly have expected 1t, as
their newnsss one to the other has not
yet had time to wear off.
Hence, this is not a criticism Of the
offering which opens this season: 1t is
merely a statement of some facts, and
a predictation of what is possible for
the future, providing certain things
ensue.
AS to scenic investiture costumes and
general effects, the play was among the
best done here. The vast stage of the
Auditorium affords limitless possibili-
ties, and they are called into use by this
drama. The coach and four, the autos,
the balloon-all promised, were there.
The pictures presented to the eye were
superb, and even on their basis alone
the play was we'll worth while. Added
to them is the opportunity to see some
really fine individual acting, and thus
the presentation should meet with ap-
proval.
AS to what is lacking-and the lack is
plainly evident-give them a chance.
The opening cast was as follows:
Lady Garnet...........M Miss Florence Stone
Alderman Sir John Garnett, Kt...;;.
Prince Kassim Wadia... Richard Tronton
James rett................R Richard Pltman
Morris LOngman,. .haInSey Wdlldce
Capt Give Dalrymple. Harry Won Meter
Lord George Hartop. Hale Hamilton
Viscount Montyghal.. Charles II. Elder
Mr.. Bently. y.................... FRANK NeIue
William Andrews Qnnocent Williaml
James Trent (Big JIM. C. Gilbert Perley
Jean DuVal the Count Frank Morton
Mr. Gooch. ....................'A AlIred hosers
Mr. Cornish. ..........,.....:.. Frank staples
Police Inspector. ......... George de Gaines
Landlord of the Pack Horse lnn....
Observation-Disclosures. Cnarle5 Grey
Connor. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Frank Staples
Doctor mond.............o:; Grothe, jr:
First Policeman. aired Paget
Second Policeman. A.. Fenton
First Cyclist ,.........'.......'.Ha .Harold Dene
Second ycllst..........'s...' WIN han
Porter. ....'..,..............':; NAT Butler
Boots. ...................-. zen 5lockner
Jack andler.................. A u. Smith
Countess Mirtya Charkoff ............
.............M Miss Eleanor Browning
Brenda Elsmere, Miss Rosalina coghlan
Mrs Elsmere. Miss Louisa Royce
Louisa Jupp, cashier az hotel....:"
....................Mi Miss Jean Marsden
Kathleen. Miss Hazel Buckham
Moya Miss Virginia Berry
Parsons. Miss Margo Dufret
Marie. rie....................M Miss Margo Duffet