The Washington times., 1902-08-10
Blanche Walsh's New Venture.

Blanche Walsh's New Venture.
Among the many important theatrical
productions announced for the coming
season, and which will be seen on the
local stage, few promise greater attrac-
tion than the play now being written
for Miss Blanche Walsh By Mr.. Stanis-
laus Stange-a play based on Flaubert $
intensely dramatic and virile novel SAL
ambo."
Few of the newly-established stars
have fought their way to the front rank
of popularity with more rapid strides
than has this daughter of that one-tlme
famous New York politician. Fatty"
Walsh. Her success must be due to a
native dramatic instinct rather than to
any advantage of early training, or for
tuitous Influence during her compara-
lively brief professional career. In TAX
ing up the repertoire Of the Sardou
plays, which she was persuaded to do
after the death Of Fanny Davenport,
Miss Walsh assumed a task few would
have had the temerity to attempt, and
which even her avowed admirers looked
upon with the greatest m;sgivins. 1t
was this very move, however, which
gave her name a commercial value and
gave the plsygoing public an idea of
her true worth.
ut is quite true" says Miss Walsh.
that / have never looked forward 70
any fresh undertaking with the same
degree of confidence that | do in the
me by stnnisleus STANCE. and which he
is now finishing in England.
Something which gives me the ut
most encouragement is the recent state
Bernhardt. when she said in effect that
she considered the character of 'Salam-
bo' in Flaubert's famous novel role
possessing more tremendous opportuni-
ties. if adequately treated, than any un
exploited literary creation she was ac-
quainted with. She said 1t was her
greatest ambition to essay this portrait
ure before her retirement from the
stage.
Il, therefore. naturally view her opin-
ion as happy Endorsement OF my re-
Gently formed plans
mfr STANCE has made use of all the
principal characters, more particularly
of salambo Narr Havas and Matho, only
he has developed the character of Matho
on very different lines, and made him of
far greater service to the story as a
stage parsonage.
"Mr STANCE and are old professional
chums. To me it is quite coincidence
that he of all men should be at work on
a play in which feel so vitally inter
girl OF fifteen. l made my first public
appearance in an amateur performance
of 'Othello.' at the old Windsor Thea
ter on the Bowery. I was the Desde-
mona and Mr. STANCE the Iago.
Although the book will be naturally
credited as the source of the play it
will not be called Salambo. Ny mana
gers, the author, and myself are equal
II agreed as to the folly of giving the
play that name.
One reason for this belief is that such
a title would imSly dramatization CT
the book in its accepted sense, whereas
the play is very radical departure.
But an equally important consideration
is the fact that we could not protect
such title, and If successful every
cheap stock company would have a play
under the same name. a penalty Mr
STANCE had to pay for his lack of fore
sight in writing Quo Vadis.'
Several titles have been discussed,
among them The Temple of Tanit. bu.
until the completed manuscript has been
delivered nothing definite in this direc-
tion will be decided upon"