Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-12-06

MEMPHIS THEATER.-Last night Guy
Mapnering, a d%ramatization of Walter
SCOTS charming novel, was produced at
the theater before a large, fashionable
and critical audience. Miss Mary An.
6ersou appeared ia the role of Meg
Merrilies,' a most difficult role. and n
made famous by Charlotte Cushman.
TIE performance was an excellent one,
and was heartily enjoyed by the audi
ence. As Meg Merrilies Niss Ander
son appeared to considerable advantage,
and impressed all present with the high.
est opinions Of her histrionic ability and
her great promise as an actress in the fu-
ture when greater stage experiences shall
add additional lustsr and attraction to
her presence and appearance in heavy
dramatic roles. That she has q brilliant
career before her is admitted by all
critics, aud already she has become s
popular star 10 the dramatic armament
The rapidly with which this success was
accomplished is wonderful, and puzzles
the heads Of old theatrical stagers who,
having been almost born on the stage,
worked up to the higher planes by means
of hard study aud toll through many
weary years and by slow gradations.
This fac. of itself indicates that Miss
Anderson possesses rare dramatic genius,
as She at Que bound placed herself
among the most attractive aud
popular tragic actresses Of the day,
{ and is recognized as their peer.
The play, Guy Msnnering, is most trying
. upon the theatrical management. To
present it with effect requires an outlay
for scenery, properties, etc., that there i
!. no recompense for. 1t is only brought
out once in a while, and, like the Egyp
r tiau mummy, It is the days wonder, ant
+ then it ia put back for several seasons
1t does not pay to produce it in Memphi
with costly tcsnery, properties, etc, ant
2 with a grand chorus. No REASONABLE
plsy.goer or critic caR expect this OF
management. The people 20 to see th,
star, andif she is tolerably well supported
and if the scenery and properties ar
sufficient for the occasion, that ia suhi
oient for all practical purposes
In the days of Elizabeth there was bu
little Of that scenic illusion called prop
critics, aud yet it was the glorious daw.
Of the English stage. Ia the way q
costuming but little attention was pal
to chronological or national ACCURACY
and yet the divines of that day indulge
in innumerable philippics against Ii
luxury of actors il the matter Of dres
Caesar, then as now, was often slaughte
}, ed with a Spanish rspier, and Greek an
Roman Senators wore watches, but the.
anachronisms we're looked over. If ii
actor aud actress cannot trust to Il
- scene painter and the machinist the
must trust to their own resources an
describe 10 words what could not
G.. ocuIis Su9jectG fdeHbus, We refer
h these things in defense of the manag
"A ment of our theater, whom We thin
has been hypercritically and too 8
verely assailed for not doing that whiC
was impossible under the eirer instance
New scenery has been introduced tn
:. season, and certainly the settings
the pieces played by the Kurdish peop
last week left little to be desired in ord
to please the eye. Captious criticism
more honored in the breach than {
observance in theatrical matters, B
n to return to our mutton. 1t is needle
to add that Miss Anderson added to b
M popularity with our people last mig
Is and will continue to draw large hous
a during the week. The support render
by the Stevens Dramatic Company "
fair and satisfactory. Tonight M
Anderson will appear as "PartheniA'
the beautiful drama entitled Ingomar.
WASHINGTON STREET VARIETIES IT
place Of public amusement continues
attrac; good audiences nightly. I
entertainments are interesting aud
company qaite q good one. Profess
Dublin, the legless man, on the trapt
lne and flying rings is a novelty, and is "
u q worth witnessing. The singing, danci
'ity various specialties aud negro comic
the ties presented by the troupe are fully
'eu to the usual variety performances.
the 1870
ris' HUMBOLDT,