The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-06-09
LA TOSCA" WELL DONE
A Brilliant Audience Witnesses
a Brilliant Performance.
BLANCHE WALSH SUPERB
She Compares Favorably With Her IL
lustrous Predecessors in This Great
Drama Repeatedly Called
Before the Curtain.

Butte filed the Grand opera house
last night with one of its most bril-
liant audiences to greet Blanche Walsh
upon her first appearance in this city
as the successor of Fanny Davenport
in the Sardou plays. The play last
night was La Tosca.'
The interest of the audience of
course centered in Miss Walsh and her
portrayal of the part of Floria Tosca
naturally was received with COMPARE
sons with the work of her Dredeces-
sor in that role. The comparison was
f1attering to Miss Walsh and The au-
dience did not disguise it. Her inter-
probation of the role was perhaps a
surprise to many, it was so intense, so
faithful and so perfect She puts an
artistic touch to everything she does
Great strength was shown in the rec
ond act in which her lover was tor
tured and a confession from er to
save him from suffering, out her
greatest effort was her seems with
Baron Scarpia, when she kills the au-
thor of all her woes. The audiAnce was
brought to the highest bitch Of excite
ment and enthusiasm. She was re-
peatedly called before the curtain dur
ing the performance. Miss Walsh is
young, beautiful magnetic ma re-
sourceful, and there seems TO he no
limit to her dramatic strength. She is
equal to all the requirements of the
great role of La Tosca, and it is
gratifying certainty that Mr.. MacDow-
ell has found in Miss Walsh a worthy
successor to Fanny Davenport.
Mr.. Mcdowell played the part of
the cruel and treacherous Baron Scar
pia with his usual skill. The support
ing company is satisfactory.
Tonight Fedora" will be given.
Blanche Walsh made her debut on
the professional stage at the age of
Is. with Marie Wainwright, as Olivia,
in Twelfth Night" she was with
Miss Wainwright three seasons, play
ing, Zamora in THE Honeymoon"
Florence Marygold in My Uncle S
maitre," Grace Harkaway in London
Assurance" and Queen Elizabeth in
Amy Robsart."
She then signed with Charles Froh-
man, and originated the part of Di-
ana Stockton in Bronson Howards
"Aristocracy," produced in September,
1892 She played in this two seasons.
The Girl I Left Behind Me" and on
Jan. /, 1895, Joined Nat c. Goodwin
playing heroines in "A Gilded Fool"
IN Mizzoura," David Garrick," 'Tha
Nominee" THE Gold Mime and
Lend Me Five Shillings."
After this came a season of summer
stock in Washington, during which
she had the leading parts in Pink
| Dominoes,' MY Awful Dad" "Ameri-
can Assurance" My Wifes Mother"
and Romeo in E. A. Lancaster's one
act piece, ''Romeo's First Love"
She was next heard of as the adj
ventures, Mrs. Bulford, in THE Great
Diamond Robbery" produced in New
York city in 1895. In November she
assumed the part of Trilby at the Gar
den theater New York city, and play
ed it for the remainder of the season.
She then rejoined Nat Goodwin, and
sailed with him for Australia, playing
all of the parts she had previously
had with him in America, and also
| and Loise in "GringOire." Returning
to America in October, she originated
the part of Margaret Neville in
| "Heartsease, with Palmers Stock
| company.
| In January Miss Walsh played in
straight From the Heart" in New
| York, appearing in the dual role of
|
| Nugent.
Miss Walsh is a remarkably quick
study, having on several occasions
demonstrated this fact two of which
are worthy of mention. In August
1895. with only two hours notice and
without a rehearsal Miss Walsh p ay-
ed the role of Trilby in the original
company, and won high praise for her
| successful accomplishment of diff
cult task,
Again, at the Boston museum, during
the winter, Miss Walsh was sent fol
to play Edith Varney in Mr.. Gilette's
Secret Service" which was being pro
duced there. She saw the play for this
first time on a Tuesday evening, .anC
with one rehearsal played the part the
following night, and for the remainde
of the Boston engagement, sailing fol
England May 5, opening with "Secre
Service at the Adelphi theater, Lon
| don.
On her return to America she play
ed for two weeks in Secret Service
at the Empire theater, New York city
then with Sol Smith Russell in Bach
elor's Romance at the Garden the
ater New York city. In January. 1885
she returned to the Empire theater
playing Jeanne Marie in The Con
querors." On May 20 she Joined tn
Herald Square Stock company. He
|
the Manhattan Beach Stock com
pany.
Reports have been published tina
Miss Walsh will next season star witt
her own company and independent o
Mr.. Mcdowell. This was positiVel.
denied yesterday. Miss Walsh vii
next season star under the manage
ment and support of Mr.. MacDowel
with a full Sardou repertoire. includ
ing La Tosca," Fedora" "CleCpa
ira and "Gismonda." In the presen
season, with the exception of six week
during which Cleopatra" was played
her repertoire was limited to La TICS
ca and Fedora" Next season tn
repertoire will be extended and tn
organization will be known as tn
Walsh Mcdowell company, and tn
season will open in September TIL
friends of Miss Walsh will be glad t
learn that she will continue with Nj
MacDowell next season and will hop
for many seasons thereafter. Thei
present season will close at Duluth o