Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-12-17
Mrs. Siddons In Augusta.


Mrs. SiddOns In Augusta.
The Lyceum course at Granite Hall, is 10
be opened on Saturday evening, January 10th,
BY Mrs. Scott Siddons, the greatest profess
sional reader of the age.
MARY F. SCOTT SIDpoNs was born twenty eight
years ago, in India Of English parentag1. From
her earliest childhood she evinced love and adapt
ability for the stage her genius in this respect be
ing fostered by her parents, who also possessed
the hstronic rift in remarkable degree. Upon
the death of her father, ten years after she was
born, Mary went to England with her mother,
where they took up their residence.
At the age of seventeen she met her present
husband, whose family name was Chanter, but
which he subsequently changed to Scott Siddons.
After series Of struggles, Mrs. Scott Siadons
finally obtained an engagement to play. Walter
Montgomery having to open the Theatre Royal at
Nottingham, arranged for her first appearance as
"Porta," in the Merchant of Venice. Her per-
Torrance was a great success. In March, 1866,
she appeared in Edinburgh, and on the night Of
her benefit was SO enthusiastically received that
she thanked her delighted audience in a most
graceful and impromptu speech. Her debut as
professional reader was made at the Hanover
Square Rooms, London, in 1866, before most
cultured audience. The following year she made
a short American tour, making innumerable friends
wherever she appeared. She made her second
American tour last year, reading over one hun
bred nights to large audiences. She returned to
America in October last, to fill series of two hun
bred engagements. This tour will continue until
July next, and will include thirty nights in Cali
fornia.
The following criticism from the London Norm
ing Post, shows the high position which Mrs Sid
dons occupies as an actress and reader in England
"Mrs Scott Siddons, young and pretty, with ma
tured powers and a style which has acquired great
brllliancy but lost nothing Of her native refine
ment in the course of her travels. Her voice,
sweet, flexible and sympathetic as ever, is rather
stronger and rounder than when she left; her com,
mand of expression is switter and more subtle and
her general performance has all the ease and finish
which constant practice and varied experie nee
and these alone--can bestow. Rare skill in elocu-
ton, and vivid appreciation Of all that IS most
tanciful, humorous, and delicate in Shakespeare 5
delightful comedy, were pleasantly apparent
throughout her recitations yesterday"
The New York Herald, usually very chary Of
praise says of her;
Mrs. Scott Siddons has seldom been seen at
greater advantage than at Association Hall yester-
day afternoon, nor has she ever read to larger or
more appreciative audience than that which there
greeted her so warmly. Hundreds of persons who
failed to purchase tickets, and some who had the
pasteboard, reluctantly turned away. unable to
find even standing room. 1t was evident from the
moment the graceful form of the young and pref
v actress gli6ed upon the platform, that the read
ngs would be a success. Dressed in the most
fautless yet simple style, with presence that at
once seemed to inspire her audience with interest
and attention, she captivated from the start. Her
selection from Much Ado About Nothing" was
rendered in a mastery style. Her voice, sweet
and sympathetic, is used with remarkable ease and
ability and enables her to represent with surpass-
ing delicacy and accuracy the persons introduced
in the portions read. Her treatment of Tenny-
sons Lady Clare exhibited her rare skill in
elocution, q command of subtle. swift expression
and ex experience. The sudden transformation from
the polished, rich, high born lady to the lowly
peasant girl, was little too heavily hnged with
the tragic. Mrs. Sddons is equal to all the crea-
tons of Shakspeares fertile imagination, but at
present the actress is too plainly perceptble in
Tennyson-a fault that can easily be rectified.
The same remarks apply in a measure TO her reci-
tation of the MAY Queen, by the same incom-
parable author The sensation created by the joy
Gus peas of laughter of the proud girl as she ad-
dresses her mother, in anticipation of the glorious
ceremony of GROWING on the morrow, and the
sudden change from youthful hilarity TO sad
| melancholy on the part of the hei oine, was con-
siderable, however, and called forth hearty ap-
plause She personifed the detestable ignorance
Of Henry ", in his wooing of Catherine, with
great effect, proving to the satisfaction of all that
kings and courtiers in private are really very COM
mon people. In interpreting the sleep-walking
scene from Macbeth, she gave evidence Of great
improvement since we last saw her upon the stage
Ill this character
This is II fir t OPT ortunty that Augusta
will have of hearing this celebrated lady, and
probably it will be the last, as she has about
completed her tour in this country and will
return to Europe in July next.
The sale for reserved seats for the course
will commence on Monday, Dec. 22d, at
O'Clock p. NJ, at the Eastern Express Office.