Los Angeles herald., 1908-10-19
THE CAST
ny sInLE LAWRENCE

TT was wise management that Sc
lected Dorothy Vernon of Had
\ don Hall'' as the opening play OF
Miss Florence stones starring engage
ment at the Burbank theater. The
drama has all the usual popular faults
OF costume comedy. If it hadn't 1t
doubtless would have disappeared from
the stage long before this. Having
these faults, however, and presenting a
pretty love story properly mixed with
the political intrigue of the times,
Dorothy Vernon, as presented by MISS
Stone, naturally attracted more per-
sons to the Burbank box office yester-
day afternoon and evening than could
be supplied with seats within the
theater.
Both at the matinee and evening per-
formances Miss Stone was given most
fattering welcome. In the beginning
the applause was for the player Aft
erward there followed applause for her
playing. Flowers in profusion were
passed over the footlights at both per-
formances. and at each Miss Stone was
compelled to make a little speech, in
which she assured her audiences that
it was good to be home again ana
thanked them in tremulous tones that
bespoke her sincerity for the coroial-
ity of their welcome.
Until yesterday Miss Stone never had
enacted the role of the willful and
charming Dorothy in this city, though
she had, I believe, played 1t elsewhere
and though the comedy has been seen
several times in the past at the Bur
bank. Her assumption of its leadlng
role last night was marked by a buoy
ancy and breezinesS, very spirit OF
roguishness that made Dorothy vernon
a most delightful figure. Moreover her
success in the part was attained
against the handicap of a cold which
played sad tricks with her voice and
which, at the close of the first act last
night. did much to ruin the effect OF her
climax.
Miss Stones Interpretation OF the
winsome Doll differs somewhat from
those of other players who have pre-
ceded her in the part. She approaches
the character with lighter touch. Her
Dorothy has ever a smile upon ner
Iips. She is a spoiled child, willful
headstrong girl of abundant good ma
ture; no coquette, if you please, but
yersed in the arts of cajolery; just such
a Young woman, make no doubts, as
the author intended her to be. Miss
stones comedy is always effectlVe.
Last night it was delightful; delightful
i'm its naturalness, in its freshness ana
in it's youth. Her Interpretation OF tnls
role is an achievement of which sne
may well be proud.
The support was notaply goou IN tile
more important roles. A. Byron Beas-
lev giving a forceful and magnetic por-
travail of Sir John Manners; Henry
Stockbridge proving his worth as Per-
kins, the jester, and Harry Mestayer
acting with his accustomed success the
role of Sir Malcolm.
Miss Katherine Kirkwood as Queen
Elizabeth played excellently her fourth
act scene with Dorothy, but elsewhere
was somewhat stilted and unnatural
Elsie Esmond made a pathetic fgure
as unfortunate Mary, queen OF Scots
The stage settings, particularly that
of the first and last acts are very soou,
and the ensemble stage pictures are
well managed. However, certain mem
bers of the company should remember
that it is scarcely etiquette to sit IN the
presence of royalty or to remain COW