Arizona republican., 1899-03-28
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Manager Patton has set the standard
 for theatrical attractions in Phoenix So high this year that he must needs be
 careful of his bookings for next season
 if he would ccntinue the popularity of
 his house. But in all the splendid at
 fractions of the season none have eX-
 ceeded in ability the performances of
 the Walsh-McDCwen company yestsr- | day. Particularly is this so in the
 rendition of SaIdou's masterpiece,
 La TOsca,' seen at the Patton Grand l last night.
 The opening act, the cathedral scene
 with it's singing friars and mellow lights, was an excellent stage picture,
 while the several strong climaxes in the play were given with decided force and power. Watching the unfolding of this tragic story one could not but think how puny and insignificant are the ordinary playwrights in compar- isCn with this maste.ful Sardou. How powerful and effective his situations. how pointed and opposite his dialogue! Not word too much-nOt a scntence too long! Who is there to follow Sar- dOu when this amazing Frenchman passes to the grave?
 It was splendid audience that gathered to witness this great tragedy and well it was so, for a greater pro- duction of the play was never wit messed in this country, not even when the Bernhardt was Floria Ia TOScl To most play-goers, however, the character has been made familiar by the performances of the late Fanny Davenport and it is to her work that Miss Walsh's efforts are compared. Superb an actress as Fanny Davenport was her rendition of this heroine of Safdou's creation was not equal to that Of Miss Walsh. In her figure, and carriage Miss Walsh is more the ideal La TOsca than was Miss Davenport True, she has not yst developed that wonderful spark called genius to the degree possessed by Bernha. at or Duse or Hading. Miss Walsh is not Euro pean born. She is a plain American girl, but she will take her place in the dramatic Armament, and that before manJ- years, alongside these great lights of the European stage.
 Her performance was truly a master ful one. The lighter scenes of the first two acts were handled with a deli cacy that could only make enc wonder If she would prove equal to the strong CT scenes to follow. But she quickly demonstrated when the time came that she was indeed a tragic queen. Her work, on discovering the knife upon the table with which she afterwards kills | Scslpia, was the most exquisite bit of acting ever seen On the local stage. | Much in detail could be said of Miss Walsh's work, but to simply sum it up in the one word-superb, tells the | story.
 Melbourne Mcdowell has improved | much since he was last on the coast | with Fanny Davenport. He is not so robust as formerly and has gained in | strength and repose and is in every way a much more finished actor than he was five years ago. And what character he has in that of the arch devil Baron Scarpia.
 One can suppose that there are in Il this world cold, ferocious human mon sters like this Italian baron, who a}1- II peared to belong to an age that is II gone. He has in him strong touch of the fanatic; he indulges in treach- II cry and murder and treason, but he bows low at the sound of the elevation. II uuivers at the sign Of the crcss, genu-