Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-10
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR TO-DAY.

ANNOUSCEAENlS rOh lO-Da1.
COates-Blanche Walsh and Melbourne Mcdowell,
in La Tosca," s p. m.
O~rpheum-Camilla Uso and other vaudeville
features, e:15 and sis p. m.
G~rand-Murray and Mack. in 'Finnigan's Ball."
GiIliss-"The White Squadron Sis p. m.
COMING NEXT WEEK.
randall week. William Morris. in Under the
~Orpheum-Al week. vaudeville.
Gflliss-Al week. THE Span of Life"
So long as Miss Blanche Walsh shall re-
tain the artistic discrimination and the
emotional power she displayed at the
Coates opera mouse last night ardou shall
not lack a competent American Interpreter
for his eXacting heroines. This is saying
much, for Sardou is the greatest living
writer of melodrama. and, while he is a
positive master of construction and a fine
composer of pictures, the Sardou heroine
is the SardOu play. This concentration of
genius upon a single character is due 10
several considerations. In the first place,
Sardou is a F~renchman, and most French
men regard woman as the strongest ele-
ment that can be put in play or story.
and they know how to analyze and depict
the whlms and passions of the feminine
character. Again. Sardou's plays have
nearly all been written for Bernhard,
which fact in itself is quite sufficient to
account Tor the high DEVELOPMENT of his
heroines.
II there was any doubt as to Miss
Walsh's ability satisfactorily to interpret
the Sardou roles. that doubt was removed
so far as last nights audience was con-
eerned. A star of the most distinguished
reputation and the most pronounced favor
could rot have asked more genuine and
this actress. After the principal scenes
of Ii Tosca' she was recalled many
times, not by scattering handclaps, but by
general and enthusiastic demonstrations.
Mr.. MacDowell deservedly shared the hon.
ors, but both because, of the greater in
terest In the character of La Tosca and
the ovation was Intended for the actress
rather than for the actor.
l, for one, confess to a very agreeable
playing pfl hsSt the ap Countess o afrfi in sn Maria MaS w then
Later she played Queen Elizabeth in the
same stars revival of Amy Robsart." She
last appeared here as Mrs Stockton in
played in various. productions, but has not,
until her present engagement, done any,
thing distinctively great.
now she is slender. She used to be moon
faced; now her features are oval. She used
to be strikingly statuesque; now she is pos
lines; now she reads them with meditation
and intelligence. She used to be phleg-
matte: now she is magnetic. In short. she
used to pose; now she acts. There has been
a remarkable. Transformation from stoicism
to constituencies Miss Walsh has suddenly
risen from the position of a popular lead
ing woman, capable of good service, to that
of positive artist. fit to be a star interpre-
ter. Perhaps this is due to hard study,
good coaching and great determination;
| of Opportunity.
From the first to the last of the play
and very interesting portrayal Of La Tosca.
a portrayal in perfect accord with the key
that sardou. himself has given. The pet /
unreasoning jealousy of the second, the
extreme anguish of the third. and the
various passions that alternated in the re-
pressed in speech and gesture. The quick
transitions from one mood to another
ments of all Sardou's heroines-were ef-
Yet with ali that Miss Walsh has gained.
S Wss n sspe esadlyen no 4 eeabRlc in The ea first s seene
of the play. 1t is an affectation Of speech
that has the effect Of detracting from her
Mr.. Mcdowell. who has been seen as
Scarpia many times on the local stage,
never before played this detestable part
that have frequently been noticed in his
acting-lack of facial expression and al.
nest ludicrous bits Of byplay. such as the
| HulIlDlllk VI prayers IA II INST at, aItU
exaggerated s~ighing-these faults are still
present and obtrusive.' Among the Other
members of the company special mention
Is due Miss Constance Williams. whose
Queen Caroline was well spoken and wei
carried. " fa
AS for the play of La Tosca." it is neces.
sary at this late day merely to mention il
passing that. while 1t Is a great piece OF
m construction and an interesting
study Of a peculiar character of a remote
age. it embraces two scenes SO horrible
and repulsive as to make 1t almost unfit
peated tonight and tomorrow night ant
tomorrow afternoon. The remainder o.
the week will be devoted to Fedora and
Miss WalSh's assumption of the prince
will be awaited with much interest aftel
witnessing her performance of La Tosca.
AUSTIN LATCHAW.
LONDON. JAM. 9.-George Alexander ant
his company at St. James theater thi
evening revived Mr.. Craigie's play. "Th'
Ambassador" In response to n call before
the curtain he announced that his next pro
duction would be Walter Frith's "A Mai
of Forty"
CHICAGO, Jan. s.-The new comic opera
1.-THE Fortune Teller" presented at tn
Columbia theater here tonight by the Alic'
Nielsen opera company. met with an en-
thusiastic reception. Mayor Harrison sRi
alter was crowded with q fashionable audi
ence. Miss Nielsen, on her entrance. wa!
greeted with an ovation seldom accorded
so young a prime donna. Eugene Cowles
formerly Of the BoStonians. was also heart
lily received. The rendition of the, oper;
was a brilliant success.
rapINpl- nvgrn lllo narrI RI