The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1884-10-11
RENsH AW OPERA HOUSE.

. RENsH AW OPERA HOUSE.
, Lawrence Barrett In Francesca
Da Rlmlnl.
To use the stereOtyped expression
that the house was crowded woulC
but mildly express an idea of th'
throng of humanity assembled II
Renshaw Opera House to witness
the dramitization of Dante's classic
poem put In shape for stage repre-
sentation by the Hon. George H.
Boxer. 1t is gratifying to be able to
chronicle this success for a two fold
reason. Firstly, that Butte is able
to give a substantial token of its ap-
probation of the great artist Mr.. Law
renee Barrett who takes his fare
well tonight; and secondly, that the
manager who induced Mr.. Barrett to
come to Montana made no mistake
in the people for whose rlasure he
caters in relying on this public for a
liberal encouragement for his enter
prise. The engagement is beneficial,
independent of the great treat which
the public have enjoyed as it will 60
abroad that, although 80 remote
rom the large cities of commercial
life where it is supposed the arts are
best patronized, that here in Butte
there is a community that has as
keen All appreciation of histrionic art
as can be found in any part of the
continent East and West. This fact
Is fully attested in the large and in
telligent audiences that have nightly
crowded the Opera House during
the engagement of the eminent ac-
tor, Lawrence Barrett, whose fame,
rank and reputation as one of the
greatest living actors are justly
earned.
So much of the story and play of
francesca Da Rimini" has been
given recently through the local
press that it is unnecessary to enter
into details of plot, etc. The central
figure in the dramatized version is
Lanciotto, the deformed soldier, who,
by a marriage with the beautiful
Francesca, is used as tool by the |
warning houses of the Guelphs and
Ghibellns to end an internecine |
strife, and to accomplish perpetual
peace by this union. Paolo the hand
some brother, is deputed to conduct
Francesca to Rimini when tor the
first time she meets her deformed
lord. Disappointment ensues on
both sides. On the part of Frances
ca in Lanciotto's appearance, and OH
part that his bride had
not been informed by either his hand
some brother and Francesca's father
of bis real condition. On this phase
the play hinges, and in the charac-
ter of Lanciotto in his wild revenge
goaded on by the Iago-like Beppo
the Jester, Mr.. Barrett gives scope to
the grand play of passions that sway
him throughout and which reaches a
terrific climax in. the camp scene
where he is assured of the illicit love
of his wife and brother.
The star was greeted with cheers
and recalls at the end of each act. In
the part of the Jester Mr.. Louis
James scored a magnificent triumph.
It is part requiring the incest dis
and Mr.. James played ii
with excellent judgment, keeping at
all times prominent that the part of
the vindictive rogue was paramount
to the fool. Miss Maria wainwright
looked and played Francesca charm
ingly and her conflicting emotions
when she meets LanciOtto and later
on the threshold of the alter were
portrayed. The Paolo
of Mr.. MosleY was in keeping with
the principals. The other members
of the company gave excellent sup
port, and the gorgeous dressing, the
new scenery and picturesque group
ing of the multitude of supernume-
ries stamp the whole performance
as the greatest spectacular pageant
and most successful play that was
ever presented in Butte. To-day at
the matinee Mr.. Barrett gives his
great creation, "Yorick's Love-"
which gained for him such encc-
miums from the London press; and
;o-night in his farewell performance
ne will give his world renowned
rendition of Cassius, in the grand
historical nlay of Julius Cesar,