Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-05
FRIENDS TAKES WITH
MAJESTIC PLAYGOERS
Dick Ferris and Florence Stone Re-
ceive Ovation for Admirable Pre-
senSation of RoyIe's Popular
Comedy-Drama

The ovations which greeted the reap
pearance of Florence Stone and Dick
Ferris in Friends" at the Majestic
last night were numerous and genuine,
based on the admirable presentation
of Edward Milton Royle's comedy
drama While many friends of the two
players were present the frequent APP
plause and calls came more on the
merits of the acting, as was evident
more than once, especially in the last
two acts.
This was curiously apparent at the
final curtain, for 1T is seldom that an
audience sits as though loath to leave
the action of the play behind; and TINS
was the case at the Majestic. Friends
has some skillfully planned passages
and some weak ones, but 1t is not an
easy play for the actors. It's strong
popularity some years ago was due to
the fact that it grips" but drama
that can lay hold on the theatergoerS
must be we'll handled.
That this was the case at the Majes-
tice was quite evident. 1t takes good
stage work to get applause as spon-
taneous as came in the second act last
night to Florence Stone and her sup
port. The fine hand of Dick Ferris as
O stage manager was noticeable in the
consistent harmonizing of situations
which might easily have been slurred.
When the audience desired to show APP
probation of the acting of William YER
ance as Hans Otto after his death
scene the opportunity was very cleverly
offered without in any way marring the
effectiveness of the play.
Laurels for Florence Stone
There was nothing at any time to
belle the advertising of "star cast"
or to indicate that Friends" was not
IT,. In Exy
the company now at the Majestic. Flo
renee stones part as Marguerite Otto,
prima donna of the Metropolitan opera
house, had all the finish and thorough
acting that her Los Angeles admirers
expected of her. Royle was both actor
and playwright, and he appreciated
methods which bring out leading parts
In consequence he gave in Marguerite
Otto a trying part for an actress to
carry, particularly in sustaining emo
tional scenes which strengthen the
work of the others. One scene, the
proving recital of the young pianist.
Adrian Karje, was cleverly arranged
and played, but throughout the sup
preston of her real feelings by Mar
guerite Otto demonstrates how con-
summate an actress Florence Stone is.
Dick Ferris part Is surprisingly him
self-a big-hearted, grown-up boy and
a true friend-and he carried 1t well.
When the audience insisted on a speech
he made one of characteristic good ma
ture and wit. La Cigale Ferris, his
daughter, made very pleasing inn
preston on the theatergoers who saw
her on the stage for the first time by
the grace with which she carried her
part of Miss Hartman.
The supporting company came in for
a generous share of the applause, and
none presented his part poorly. Will
liam Yerance as Hans Otto, Harry Me-
slayer as Adrian Yerance and Willis
Marks as John Paden, .sr., added to
their popularity locally.
Friends" loses no laurels in the
hands of Dick Ferris and his accom-
plished wife. and the Majestic is de-
serving of large audiences this week