Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-10-14

THEATRE-MR. RoBERTs.-The engagement of Mr..
ROBERTS was more successful during the second
week than the first, the pieces produced having the
advantage Of novelty. Mr.. R. has fully established
himself IN the estimation of Nashville play-goera as
an actor of skill and judgment in everything he un-
dertakes. He has defects, however, and we think
his greatestis an absence of that high bred manner
which is so essential a chara cteristic in many of
the characters which he assumes Thus, in the
courtship scene in Richard III his aside gances of
triumph which take the audience into his confidence
apQrsing them that it is all Joke border too much
upon low comedy. BooTH, with his subtle insinua-
TONS alternated with a delicate irony passing over
his features like light, feeting cloud, is much
nearer our ideal of Richard In Hamlet, again,
while the acting is full of excellent points it wants
the harmOnlzing influence of the princely and schOl
! ar-like refinement which makes MURDOCH so accept
able IN the parts Even in his own MephiStOpheles,
we think the supercilious smile and highBred dis
dain of GoETHEs original conception could be made
more impressive on the stage than the grotesquc
presentation of Mr.. ROBERTS. Here, however, We
hardly know whether it is the actor or the depth
Of the drama that is responsible With all these
draw backs, however Mr. rs engagement has been
source of much satisfaction to the lovers of the
drama.
Mrs. GREEN.-Tomorrow night, that excellent |
lady and veteran actress, the widow Of late fel
low citizen JOIN GREEN, takes benefit. We have
I great hopes of a bumper, for one has been so
jealous and efficient promoter of the drama in
Nashville as poor old john who while alive had the
good will and kindly recognition of almost every
man, woman and child in the city. Mrs. GREEN her
self has played some of the most arduous characters
in the English drama in the first establishments in
the United States and there Gao lie scarcely person
in Nashville who will not be glad Of the opportunity
of cheering her declining years by his presence and
material aid on the occasion.
Miss BATEMAN.-On Tuesday night this young lady
formerly well known the most talented of the
BATEMAN children, makes her first appearance in
Nashville. We have never seen her either child
or as Young lady. but the unanimous commenda-
tons of the press lead us to anticipate entertain
ment of the highest order from her efforts We
cut the following notice of her from an able con-
temporary:
Miss KATE BArEMAN-The Ango-American stage
for the last ten fifteen years has unfortunately
been but school for the exhibition of routine and
conventionalities. Occasional clever noyices would
sartle the orthodox elOcutiOnist and stcklers for
strict stage etiquette by detying conventional rules
and traditional usages and acting in earnest; but
they have been but few, and have not been remark
able We can call TO mind but one who made any deep
impression on the public mind and she at last fell
into vitiated style even than the formal,
stiff and measured, though inotfensive one that had
been regarded by the profession the standard for
half a century. The truth is, that on the stage |
everything has been long regulated by certain
well known canOns, that genius has been subjected
TO restraints which nine cases out of ten have |
been fatal 10 and the result is that actors and
no q OVVn taStn /
might have been eminent for earnest and intense |
acting, have been forced to conform to recognized
rules, and to take their places among the hosts of
DISCLAIMERS of the modern stage.
We refer to this condition OF the hstTOnic art be-
cause we think that we perceive in Miss Kate Bate
man very unequivOcal indications Of rebellion
against the conventional laws by which it has been
governed too long. She has certainly broke through
old stage customs: has set aside rigid formalities
which the old foges of the profession have deemed
sacred and invested her representations with the Il
atmosphere of warm and loving reality that have
not been wont TO surround the creations which live
beyond the footghts. 1t is for this that we take
great pleasure in referring to her. We hail her
an insurgent against tyranncal laws in art which p
have been too long observed, and desire to eX il
tend to her every encourage ment to prosecute the
reformation she has so auspiciously begun.
Since Miss Batcman took leave of the stage a
prodigy it is evident that she has devoted herself to
study end reflection, and she Is now cultivated and
refined lady, possessing more than the accomplish u
ments which young ladies usually acquire in early
life. Her figure has expanded, and her face has be-
come expressive and wOmanly, and these, with the
physical, moral and mental training she has under
gone, have made her both clever and attractive
artistic. Her peculiarly stately figure her full. 4
round, powerful but meodious voice, and the vivid
and forcible style of her geSticuation fit her best
for the heavier roles Of the tragic drama This was
strkingy exemplifed IN her persOnatiOn of Gerald "
inc in her mothers tragedy, where she found her Ct
sell equal to the delineaton of the varied and
diverse passions and with earnestness. too, that
infected and enchanted her audiences We should | :
like if we had time to dwell on some of the pas q
Sages in which she is most excellent Suffice it to
say, however, that her persOnation effort II
which could only have been accomplished by "
tress of great natural ability, and Of matured and ~
fully developed physical powers.
We take more than ordinary pride in noticing Miss 81
Batcman, because many OF her earlier triumphs
were achieved amongst US and because she and her
family have been for years associated with this city
even from our earliest recollection It is moreover
a source of qualification to welcome her again TO the
stage, that her mental and physical powers are
matured and she has given UndOubted evidence that
she has in unw0uted degree the initiative faculty. III
which. S a child. she admitted to possess. And
weespeciay. are gratifed too in signalling her re
entrance into the profession because she is young
lady only Of fine accomplishments and brilliant
talent bat also of elevated principles and Of great
al worth and who adds not only to the intelligence.
but also to the RESI- eCtaby OF the profession she B
has chosen. She has if mistake not bright 81
future before her. and hope she will realize all
that the critics have predicted Tor her.