The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-01-07


the local dramatic world. The appearance
of blanche Walsh and Melbourne Mac
Dowell in the sariou repertoire had been
looked forward to with much pleasurable
anticipation for some time past. espe
cislly by those who saw the two players
named on tho occasion OF their initial
appearance here last season, and the large
and enthusiastic audiences which wit
messed the three performances last week
demonstrated very conclusively the fact
that the Impression made last year was
lasting one.
advapSege from the fact that her por-
trayal Of the characters Of Safdou's tenn
pestuous heroines Is continually compared
with the work OF Bernhardt and Daven-
port In the same roles. That she suffers |
somewhat by the comparison, especially |
70 Miss walshe discredit for several rea-
sons Bernhard was the recognized |!
leader OF tho emotional players of the age |
and Fanny Davenport was bright and
shining light in the theatrical armament
long before the then obscure daughter OF
''Fstty" Walsh. Tombs iailer and ward
politician, irst looked across the foot
lights and strained every nerve to win the
success which she knew was there. Bern
hardt has had. and Davenport had until
the curtain went down on the comIning |
tragedy and comedy OF her life, long years
OF experience in emotional roles Prior
10 last season Blanche Walsh had never
attempted a part more ambitious than
those which are being played nightly by
hundreds OF actresses OF only ordinary
ability
Viewed 10 the light OF these facts the
progress that Miss Walsh has made and
the work she is doing now are simply
marvellous. To the younger generation of
play goers--those TO whom the successes
OF Our Mary" Bernhardt. Davenport and
the others OF that class are but part OF
history. and not something Of which they
know personally--walsh is a woman OF
genius who is entitled 70 stand at the top
with Mrs. Flake. Leslie Carter, Julia Ar
thur and the other actresses who have
gained fame and fortune BY the exercise OF
the talent they possess To these young
sters Miss walsh represents all that is
artistic and lofty In the drama and. even
admitting their inexperlence. It must be
said that the pedestal on which they have
placed her is builded on a wonderfully
strong foundation. She Is not absolutely
perfect. perhaps--that would no too much
to expect under the circumstances-but
even the most exacting critic must admit
that she IL woman of extraordinary tall
ent and that her work entities her to a
place with the great artists OF The day.
little moro attention to artistic detail
little more polish and finish, little
more experience and Blanche Walsh will
be a recognized star OF the greatest mag
nitude.
OF the two plays presented here la
Tosca" undoubtedly gives Miss Walsh tht
better opportunity for the display OF tai
ent. True. she does some powerful worl
in Cleopatra" but Cleopatra" is sue
cession OF sumptuous stage pictures rathe
than great play and even great artist
can not make great plays without some
Roman dina whose love for the man o
her choice is only surpassed by her dsvo
ton to the church. Miss Walsh portrays
wide range Of emotions. At one time sh
is seen as a careless. prattling girl. hap
py in the enjoyment OF the company o
her lover, at another as woman driver
TO blind freuzy by her unreasonlng an,
unreasonable jealousy; at still anothe
time she appears battling between her de
sire to save the life OF her lover, on on
hand. and her awful repugnanoe OF tn
price 70 DO paid on the other. In fact.
would be difficult to imagine a role il
which such unusual and trying demand
are made upon the person portraying II
The part Is a powerful one and Miss Walls
10 equal 70 its requirements.
Mr.. Mcdowell while he undoubteal,
does some powerful work is not SIis
Waishs equal from an artistic standpoint
He apparently has an eminentiy oorreS
conception OF the parts be plays. but hi
Interpretation OF them is By no mean
HAWKES. at times, On occasions he seem
absolutely incapable OF indicating emotia
by his facial expression. when the abilit
to do 50 would undoubtedly add greatly I
the effectiveness OF his work, He has
magnificent opportunity as scorpio in 81
Tosca." and whlio he undoubtedly play
the part in manner which entities him I
great credit. there is an indeanable some
thing lacking. The death scene and tn
iovemAking which precede it--lf Ioyemak
ing Il can BE- called under such clrcum
stances-,s not the best OF his work, al
though none OF the parts he plays affor
him grester scope for the display OF ar
tIstic qualities.
Aside from Mr. Arthur Elliott. who doe
soms very me work as Kephron IN 'cleo
pstTa. and Mario In la Toscl,' the com
pspy which Manager Stern has scttm to
estbefs sais season Is inadequate. O.