The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1874-11-07

There was q very goodaudencepres-
ent last night upon the occasion Of the
benefit rendered 10 the Knights Of
Pythlas by Mossra, Allen a. Johnson's
dramatic company, ON account Of the
serious lndlsposltl0n Of the lady who
was 10 have taken leading part Ia
the new play Of Robert OF WoodlcIgh,
II was Impossible 10 present that play,
and Macbeth was substituted.
This " decidedly the hest troupe that
has yet visited Dallas, takenasa whole.
In Mr., Stevens, we recognize not only
u reader Of more thnn ordinary culture,
but graceful actor whose stage train
Ing has been In the school .of Forrest
aud Booth, n school which IL, perhaps
ut times, marred by too much Of the
muscular ut the expense Of the intel
lectual, but which Forrest may be said
TO have lonndedl and made popular IN
America.
Mr., Stevens has the advantage of II
fine physique, n manly bearing, n rich,
well m0dulntcd voice, and very ar
tlstic conception of the part. His
enunclntion Is clear aud distinct, his
gestures natural and without strain
details which show hard study, u love
of art for the sake of art, and close
observation of the best modern Ameri-
can actors.
The radical defeat, however, In For.
rests acting, whose Macbeth has serv-
ed as model to many of the younger
tragedians Of the day, was the DISPOSE
ton to rant and roar, which he could
seldom resist. We are glad to note,
however, that Mr.. Stevens bears in
mind the advice of Hamlet and does
not "tear passion to tatters" "nor over
step the modesty Ct naturen even In
the very whirlwind of passion. His
costume was ~ picturesque as II was
orthodox, and showed Off a handsome
specimen of physical manhood to II de-
cided advantage. His versatility isvery
happy, andwe hope to see him In some-
thing less hackneyed than Macbeth--a
performance which makes fearful de-
mands upon an actor, but which were
met with marked histrionic talent by
Mr. Stevens and the company. We
should be sorry to see so pains-taking
and deserving an artist leave us with
out the fullest and most substantial ap-
probation of his efforts and talents be-
ing given him. The role of "Lady
Macbeth was perhaps rather heavy
for the lady who played it so satisfac-
torily, but nevertheless, her perfor-
nance was very fair indeed.
Here now is quite as good stock
company as you will see at the average
American theaters, and the plays are
ms well mounted and rendered ms many
to be seen In the st. Louis, Memphis.
or New Orleans theaters, where there
is merely the advantage of scenery and
orchestra.
There is a charming little actress in
this troupe who played the part of the
Little Rebel,h the other night, with
the most engaging naiuete, and GER
tain bewitching archness that was de-
iightful. A pretty, radiant, petite
brunette, brimful of coquetry and
winning ways, she reminded us of
Lolita, such Is the exuberance of her
fun and the charm of her manner.
Her exquisite taste in dress, too served
to heighten the effect of her acting.
The cast of Macbeth was excel
lent, the music fairly sung, and the en-
tire performance such as only we'll
organized company could give.
Something like "School,n "Cash y
''Divorce," "Frow Frow," or the "Ro-
nance of Poor Young Man." would
De very acceptable to our play goers.