The Washington times., 1911-04-25
MILITARY DRAMA
PLEASES PATRONS
OF THE COLUMBIA
Arizona" Warmly Greeted
by Audience That Filled
Theater.

In revival of, Augustus Thomas
play of army life ARIZONA. the Co.
lumbia Players were warmly greeted by
an audience that filed that theater from
gallery TO pit last night. The produc-
tion of this strong military drama
marked the beginning of the second
week of this company in Washington.
There was a bit of unfamiliarity now
and then with the lines, especially on
the part of Colonel Bonham, played by
Louis Morrell. but this can be easily eX-
plained to the first-nighter
It's been almost ten years since Wash
lngton saw Arizona" but nearly every
body remembers the plot of the story, In
which many of the stars of today have
at one time appeared. The play is a
melodrama of the better type. There's
q villain, of course, wronged girl, an
intrigue at an army post resulting in
the temporary suffering of an innocent
man. few cowboys. a gruff, good
natured rancher and his suffragettesque
jangling of swords. Everything Is
Strengthened up when they are all
brought together on the stage in the
last act. the villain already having gone
the way of all villains.
Miss Nelson's Work.
Miss Frances Nelson played last
night the part of Bonita Candy, a girl
typical of the Western plains. Her
stage duties were to be Vivacious, bit
coquettish, and thoroughly lovable.
Also. Bonita has to be of a trustful sort,
believing in the innocence of young
Lieutenant Denton, played by Henry
Mortimer. Miss Nelson was thoroughly
adapted TO the role, and added TO the
number of her Washington admirers.
Mr.. Mortimer. receiving the glad
hand when he first entered, left the
audience at the finish still more pleased
with his acting.
of the army colonel. Is Miss Louise Ar
mold off the stage. Miss Arnold had
rather difficult role. as for time she
was a near villainess. She made the
most of her part and handled quite ca
pably the two strong scenes In which
the natural womanly instincts were put
to the test.
Everett Butterfield, another favorite
in the Columbia Company, strayed OF
his usual reservation last evening and
was found in the gIise of Mexican
vauuero He was a good Mexican and
his Tony Mostana demonstrates his YER
satility as an actor
The Villain.
Frederic Forester is the Captain
Hodgman of the play. the villain with
dark moustache and dark designs. He
had the military bearing. and in addi-
ton all the artifices of his like on the
stage, which is the best tribute that can
be paid to one who must play villain.
Stanley James was an excellent Ser
reanf kellar, with a German accent.
Miss Jessie Glendenning. endowed with
natural beauty and charm, was bewitch-
ing as the sergeant's daughter and a
waitress. George w. Barber was good
as a breezy Western ranch owner, be-
cause he was natural and didn't overdo
the part, while Miss Emelie Melville
furnished a great deal of the comedy
Of Arizona" in the role of ranch own
er's matchmaking wife.
The comparatively minor parts are all
in capablr hands. Theodore Hardy. as
| Lieutenant HalIock, Herbert Parker as
Lieutenant Young, Joseph Hazelton as
Major Cochran, J. c. Cline, as DR.: Fen
Ion. and Arthur Ritchie as Sam Wong,
the cook. were well received. Miss Car
rie Thatcher essays the part OF Miss
She doesn't have many
but is good school teach
er when she gets chance to act one.