Evening star., 1912-03-19

betrothal that failed to materialize, the
showers of confetti and the Spanish fan-
dango, was a fitting companion, while the
breaking of the dawn from the roof or
the rancho handled with a skill rarely
possible in stock productions, made an
offering of beauty and art that Will be
long remembered.
The plot of the play, in which Frances
Starr starred first with such marked
success, tells of the attempt of a band
of heartless land thieves to take advan-
tage of a law, passed shortly after the
cession of Californian to the United states,
making the old Spanish land-grant lands
subject to entry by the first conner unless
their owner registered his title. Their
particular efforts were directed against
the home of proud cd Castilian fam
lily, whose daughter, Juanita, known as
the Rose of the Rancho, promised by her
mother in marriage to Don Luis. from
Monterey, let's her heart slip away TO
government official from washington
named kearney. through whose desper-
ate efforts her home is finally saved to
her neople Although adorned with sew
eral fine character roles, the play Is real
ly dominated by Juanita, who has all the
opportunity.
Miss Nelson has returned fully equip
ped for the part, and makes OF 1T a role
that will rank above even her Dorothy
Vernon. She shows a marked improve
ment since her last appearance mere, ana
discloses emotional powers which give
One no longer detects the effort to play
the role assigned her, but rather to be
the character in very truth There is an
absence of se.f-consciousness, too. 1auit
she may now number with the past,
which is very gratifying.
Mr.. Robins is going to make hne lead
ing man. OF striking and pleasing per-
sonality, he handles himself with nat
uralness that is very effective and De-
speaks the real actor. His opportunities
l,r%
and his contribution helped make the
play a delightful success. Godfrey Nat
thews, another newcomer. gave fine i'm
personation of the Monterey gallant, the
typical Spaniard, to whom tomorrow
was an all-consuming thought. He prom
ises to be tower of strength to the
company. Carson Davenport, also, is
decided acquisition, and in the role of the
good old padre won his way with charm
ing grace and facility. Stanley James
was there, too. as Tomaso. a servant,
yet not too minor a part to obscure the
versatile talent which has made him an
established Washington favorite. George
Barber, as Kinkaid, the land jumper, was
the ideal George Barber.
He knew his role and played 1t with
conscientious conviction and effect, as
he always does. Miss Carrie Thatcher,
as Sonora Dona Pefrona Castro. head
of her family, gave a graceful portrayal
of the dignified and lovable old lady Of
high birth, and Miss Julia Blanc, as the
proud immovable mother of Juanita,
disclosed power that will make itself
potent through the season. She is an
actress of splendid ability.
Miss Doris Woodbridge has a charming
personality and made pleasing senorita
as Trinidad, one of the friends of Juanita.
Her possibilities need wider scope for
their display than her role of last even
ing. Other members of a cast of thirty
names all contributed their share to the
success of the evening. Their time for
favorable mention will doubtless come
with larger roles during the season.
Last nights audience was typical OF
those of the Columbia Players. There
was no room for more and no possibility
for greater manifestation of pleasant
satisfaction and appreciation.