Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-10-20

New Memphis rheater.

Memphis society at the New memphis
Theaier last night AS soon as the cur
tain went up hearty peals Of applause,
quite complimentary and encouraging to
each member OF the corps dramatic,
arose from oil parts Of the parquetie,
dress-circle and family-tier II was a
fervent testimony Of the esteem in which
our people hold histrionic talent, and
may be taken as an evidence Of their in
tention to support the drama in such a
manner as will make actors and audience
mutual friends. r,sal.H aD
The solo sang in French by Mrs. Cline
was charming This lady has a sweet
voice Of great compass, and will become
q great favorite with the elite. The cho-
rus from La Grand Duchesse, like oil Of
Offenbach's 8. compositions, ia lively, and
was very we'll rendered by the company,
when we take into consideration that
comedians and trsgedians are not always
good singers.
The address by Mrs. flanagan was very
we'll spoken and rapturously applauded.
It is gem in its way. Here it is;
On this, your opening night we bid you joyful
Twill be a test TO make or fail: .a,r
II fail. the attempt. and not the deed,
Must make us poor, or with your smiles sue
coed.
siroe last our curtain rose. the veteran
In management-in heart and mind man
Has passed 10 other scenes 10 that far bourne
From which. howe'er we wish. there s no re-
turn 'tu
Brave in the noble task-bis constant pride
To raise his art above the lower tide
He gave his every effort 10 fulfill
The upward elimination Of his will.
Through years the plaudits of the favOring
Assured the world of his complete success.
Though q asons passed that were not gilt with
Though be. at times. might fear the people cold;
He struggled on believed the peoples heart
Would tympathize with him and take his part.
This was your manager, as well as ours,
Whose path was not at all times thro' the
flowers;
Yet she hs.y xh g wears for him the widows
Whose heart bereaved in deepest sorrow bleeds,
Assumes. with modest purpose, to fulfill
His promise and to carry out his will.
Nerved by reliance that the same old friends
Would sympathize with her, promote her ends,
She bids the curtain rise. and asks Of you
To aid her efforts and 10 see her through"
To elevate the drama was the study Of his heart.
To wake the dormant genius and to mend the
classic art
So hers will be to N eet your warm acclaim.
And add untarnished laurels to the pillar OF
his fame.
Tonight we advocate the general cause
0fhsppy greeting and just applause. 1I5Qi
To several strangers you shall see anon,
Which greeting must form their staff to lean
upon,
Now. with permission. well Just lift the veil,
And venture to essay our task,
With hope that in II we'll not fall
So, presto, changel Of goes the mask.
The Lady Of Lyons passed off very
smoothly, the. dramatis persona being
we'll sustained throughout,
A large and brilliant audience greeted
Miss Charlotte Thompson, favorite with
the Memphis people. She performed the
leading part, and fully sustained the rep
utation already won in the theatrical
world. Her bright delineation of charsc-
ter cannot be surpassed, She assumes
the wretched, downcast look of disap-
pointment with equal facility electrifes
the audience when the play. changes to
hopes realized and Joy unbounded,
Miss Thompson is, without doubt, one
of the most pleasing actresses that has
ever appeared on the New Memphis
stage. Mr.. Theodore Hamilton made a
good impression on the minds of the au-
dience; his rendition of Claude Melnotte
was excellent and bespoke the master in
his art. he is destined to become fa-
vorite With opr theatsr-loYing people.
Mr. flanagan as Dumas fully sustained
himself, and from the hearty applause
that greeted his appearance on the stage
shows his old friends in Memphis still
remember him with feelings of kindness.
The other performers did their parts well.
Tonight Hiss Thompson appears in
her favorite character of Fanchon, in
the capital play of FancAon and Old
Fadet. In it she is unequaled on the
American stage. She has studied the
part well, and plays it to perfection.
Her preservation Of the ingenious,
sprightly, and keenswitted hoblede-
hoy is true to life. 1t is really
worth seeing, combining, as it does,
the lights and shades Of girlhood in a
happy and harmonious picture. The
Shadow Dance, which Miss Thompson
executes with exquisite grace, is as
picturesque scene as one need wish to
look at. And that the play may be pre-
sented in a grander and better style
than ever before, galaxy of five ladies
make their first appearance-Miss Car
man as Old Fadet, Miss Viola Plunkett
as Madelon, Miss Laurette Vultee as
Susette, Miss Moore as Manette, and
Mrs. ]. Barrett as Marion. Miss Nellie
Taylor, who last night played Madame
DeschappelIes, will appear as Mother Bar
beau, Mr.. Hamilton as Landry, Mr.. Ian
agau as Father Rarbeau, and the inim-
liable, ingenious and jovial McWsde as
Didier. Such a bill of intellectual
amusement and such combination of
clever artists will surely draw q full house.
Varieties Theater.
Jim johnson is becoming quite popu-