The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-18

PLAYS OF THE WEEK.
Fanny Davenport's Great Hit
in ia Tosca."
kEENE IN THE LEGITIMATE.
Appears I'm Four Great Works Corr
dray's "Nip and Tuck"-Morris and
williams Farewell Week.
EA UNUSUALLY good
NJ II y were the past
L. ~ weeks attractions
ltEEH A for those who find
NELA>M enjoyment in foot
N~. A light pleasures.
NJ The Seattle opera
0MV house had many
|. ! |
NJ ~ and divers attrac-
- VA :. tons, the most inn
WI III portant of which,
ttN w however, was the
III T6~ engage mt of
II III Fanny Davenport.
EM She presented two
gA| dramatic studies,
m "Fedora" and "IA
ZD Tosca." With the
49, former the public
Is entirely familiar; the latter, however, few
have had the opportunity of seeing OF knowing
Judged by the lines of tragic creation, ia
Tosea" is grand work. 1t is fascinating, 1t is
intense, the story develops with marvellous
power, the dialogue sparkles with great utter
ances, it is permeated throughout with thrilling
human interest-in short, the masterful scenes
burn themselves In letters of fire on the brain.
It. however, introduces vice in vile form,
it departs from the mere suggestion
Of immortality and shows boldly volup-
tuous criminality without the faint
est attempt at covering. Somewhere
men who butcher cattle are not permitted in
capital offences to serve on juries. The reason
= obvious. He who 10 familiar with the she'd
ding of blood becomes hardened to suffering
and UNIT to pass judgment in cases wherein
life or death might be involved. If there should
ever arise out of the conditions of American life
native drama for the good of posterity IL
should not be moulded after the French school.
The attempt to familiarize the people with vice
to iis lowest forms is degrading 1t is calculated
toawaken morbid desires, and sows the seeds
OF moral poison. There was no act, after the
frst in the whole lurid tragedy that was not
sickly with bloody death. In the third act
Mario PUSHES on covered with gore, and in the
fourth act libertiDism ID exhibited without
willing. Vet the public focks In thousands to
hear such plays, and America imports them,
n4tiya mi wit har md ia for mt NJ
nourishment. That they are interesting, even
fascinating, no one will attempt to deny. Evil
IL generally presented In a palatable form, and,
sliegorically speaking, the devil tempted Eve,
not with bitter, but luscious fruit Whatever
may be said OF the morals of the play, none can
eispute Davenports or MacDoweiPs artistic
work in their respective roles. The Innes band
opened the week with Sunday concert, and on
Friday and Saturday evenings Philip Phillips
entertained fair audiences with his fine views of
tours around the world. This week Manager
Hanna provides three superb concerts OF the
Times band, and he gives Seattle four nights of
the legitimate with Thomas Keene as exponent
His work in "Louis XXI. "Richelieu." "Othello'
and Orchard I'LL" Is recognized as OF
sterling merit, and he will doubtless
be accorded the reception he deserves. Mr..
Cordray gave the public last week the
repeated pleasure OF presentation of "Conn
the Shaughraun." This is the play by which the
late Dion Boucicault made so high a reputa-
ton, and It seems never to wear out its popu-
larity. The show in the auditorium was, as
usual, very excellent. At Cordray's this week
"Nip and Tuck" will be played with Sam Nor
ris and J. J. Williams In the leading characters.
Mr.. Morris, as q comedian of no mean ability,
and Mr. Williams as q stage manager and all
round actor, have done well In Seattle. and
many OF the patrons of Cordray's will miss
them greatly. ALI wish for their success a
stars.