The Washington herald., 1912-03-19
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THE COLUMBIA.
Columbia Players, I'm s'The Rose OF
the Rancho"


season of 1872 with "The Rose OF the
Rancho the joint production. of David
Belasco and Richard Walton Tully, in
which Frances Starr made tremendous
appeal during the season OF 1906 in the
role of the Spanish girl, Juanita-
The Inauguration of the fourth season
Of the Columbia Players was a gala
affsir. The playhouse was packed be-
yond its seating capacity, enthusiastic
patrons standing in rows rather than
miss being present TO welcome their fav-
orites of last year and the new members
of the popular stock company. The au-
dience was like picnicking school chill
6ren, wild with delight, which was ex-
pressed with an enthusiasm that knew
no bounds.
At the end OF the first act George w.
Barber, who won his way permanently
into the hearts OF Washington theater-
goers last summer, responded to the pro-
lcnged applause with~a graceful speech,
expressing his pleasure in coming back
among such stanch friends as the Colum-
hia patrons have proven to be, and with
many witticisms smoothed the way for
more bashfuI speech makers.
Miss Carrie Thatcher. who will be re-
membered for her most excellent work
last year, portrayed the character of the
spiritual Sonora Dora Petrona Castroy,
the honored head of her family, with a
delicate grace that won her much ap-
plause. Miss Thatcher needed no intro
uuCtion TO the Washington theater-going
public when Mr.. Barber presented her 10
tine Columbia audience last night, and
she expressed gratitude for the warm
reception given her. receiving big bunch
Of violets a token of welcome from
some devotee of a season gone and an.
Uther begun again last night, for the
oil far Nvh he
spoke such cordial welcome to the CO.
iumbia Players last night seemed but
continuation of the ovation accorded
them when the season ended last fall.
1t was not until the close of the second
act that Miss Nelson responded 10 the
appeal of the audience for just little
personal word. She stepped from the
rcle of the Spanish Senorita, Juanita, in
her quaint white frock, before the new
curtain and thanked the Washington
folks who have been so good to her from
the very first. She told them that she
wanted just to reach out and take them
all by the hand, and when she was
through with her happy, spontaneous lit
lie speech, usheTs brought up great
American Beauties, La France roses.
sweet peas. and lilies of the valley. and
Mr.. Barber heaped them in her arms
Urtil she could hold no more. and last of
all. because the usher insisted, a pack
age was unrolIed and a doll was added
10 Miss Nelson's gifts.
"You see, they know l have not grown
up" she called delightedly to her aud
ltors.
Since Miss Nelson has been in Wash
ingtOn for rehearsal, devOtees have
persistently shOwered attentions upon
. her, ,Eand the Columbia Theater was
roid out for the first performance of
the Columbia Players almost as soon
as the seats went on sale.
All of this would seem to bear out
the prediction of well-known critic,
who said that Miss Nelson would be
accorded an ovation upon her first
nights performance for the sake of
last summer. If for nothing else"
Well. perhaps!
Still, there was something else.
The ovation last night was not alone
for bygone achievements, for Frances
Nelson's Jdanita was vivid. She por-
trayed the character of the spirited
Spanish senoritiG with an abandon one
would not have guessed possible of her
at the beginning OF last season.
Whether it IS the growth through last
years work and experience. the result
Of the winters rest ana study, on a
greater faith IN herself, it is evident that
Miss Nelson has conquered that hamper
ing suppression that was SO evident in
0her emotional work last year.
She has learned how to let her feelings
out. and in the learning has attained a
power for emotional expression that
promises big things for her future.
The Rose of the Rancho is a typical
BelascO production. IavishIy mounted.
and given that attention TO detail which
adds the touch of realism for which his
work is noted. The scenes OF the play
are laid in California. iE those days OF
he fifties when American landgrabbers
took advantage cT the law requiring the
holders OF Spanish titles 10 register them
with the United States government. or
-un the risk az forfeiture Of their lands,
Ihould another lay claim to them.
Edwin Hass Robins. the new leading
man OF the Columbia Players, made a
handsome enough official and protector of
a girls interests to stormy the portals of
any girls heart. Mr.. Robins found gen.
arous acceptance with the Columbia pa
IRONS. who were last night in a most gen
srous and cordial mood
As Kinkaid. land jumper" George
W. Barber had the thankIess task of be-
Ing the INSCRIPTIONS scoundrel of the
piece. but the sincerity of his Charact
work upheld the splendid reputation he
gained for himself in Washington last
Summer.
AS the proud unbending mother of the
Senorita Juanita. Miss Julia Blanc in
fused the role of Sonora Kenton with a
vehemence that sometimes came very near
the brink of melodrama One found it in
one's heart to wish for little more hu-
man portrayal of the role of motherhood
even the Spanish type, that can brook no
defiance.
Godfrey Mathews made his first ap-
pearance east of the Rockies last night
in the role of Don Louis de la Tore a
suitor for the hand of Juanita- As the
Spanish spark from Monterey, Mr..
Mathews was excellent, winning quick
favor with the stock devotees, who were
out last night to greet their old favor
ties and welcome the newcomers TO the
Columbia Players.
Another new member Of the popular
stock who made an excellent first night
Impression was Mr.. Carson Davenport
who played the role of Padre Antonio,
superior Of the Mission of San Juan
Bautista.
The first night performance of "The
Rose of the Rancho" ran smoothly, ex-
cept for the tedious waits between scenes,
which were forgiven when one saw the
elaborate scenic settings that gave each
act OF the production a realistic and
artistic effect. J. C. MANI
The Chance of n Lifetime.
Fran the wonan's Home Companion.
They were twitting a friend who