The Yellowstone journal., 1894-11-12
paradise Lost"

The Riggs company closed very sat
isfactory season OF three nights in Miles
City on Saturday evening with Effie
Ellsler's great play Paradise Lost" also
known by the Title of woman against
Woman" Those who are familiar with
Miss Ellsler's talent and capability will
readily recognize in the play mentioned,
the great possibilities it gives her and il
is with a full realization OF what the
more famous actress might be able to do
with the part, that we commend Rose
Stillman's rendition OF the character of
Bessie Barton as unexcelled. In fact as
We recollect Miss Ellsler. she would
be unable TO gild the earlier scenes with
the same sunshine that Miss ,Stillman
throws around her. Nothing could ex
ceed the domestic happiness depicted
in the earlier portion OF the second act,
nearly all OF which effect was due to the
superb acting of Miss Stillman. 1t was
here she was seen at her best, though
the intense finale of the fourth act. de-
T.
This scene is actually the climax Of the
play and everything seems tame after it.
1t is terrific in it's dramatic intensity
and for brief minute or two, held the
audience breathless and spellbound. 1t
is moreover a scene that demands no
less artistic treatment that it received at
the hands of this company. Nothing
short OF absolute talent and prominent
stage training could give it the ''go" that
it needs to be effective. In the hands OF
bunglers il would deteriorate to vul-
guar brawl between women. In the
hands of artists it is supreme effort
Of long suffering and sorely maligned
wife to end all OF her troubles in the
death Of her prosecutor which woman
like she attempts with no other weapon
than her hands. 1t is an action that
under the circumstances seems as natur-
al as it is futile. That Miss Stillman
is an actress Of superior ability. no one
in Miles City who witnessed her work in
La Belle Marie, and Paradise Lost, will
deny While, as IN previous renditions,
the whole company was excellent. il
give US pleasure TO be able TO refer spec
tally to the good work done by Annie
Leonard in Paradise Lost, IN the charac-
ter Of Rachel Westbrook. Her first ap-
pearance Is as young woman who has
started on the downward path. possess
ing the usual desire for dress without
the financial ability to crafty it. She
is therefore gay" with the limited ma
terials at her disposal. and il ever there
was a more natural or tough" presenta.
Leonard first came on with her grip and
her wad OF gum, We have failed to see it.
Later on as she bettered her fortunes
pecuniarily, the change was made evil
dent in beautiful costumes and through
out all she was without blemIsh. Hat
tie Foley was also particularly good in
the cynical but energetic part of Mother
Barton and Miss Dresden the charming
Of the company was as charm
ing as ever. The male members OF the
company may be dismissed with the
general remark that they were ali salts
factory and by their excellent work made
such performance as was given on Sat
urday night. possible; and. by the way,
we are informed that Saturdays
nights performance was the first ever
given by this company, Of this play. II
SO. it was remarkably smooth for first |
night and promises well for the future. |