Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-01-08


MEMPHIS THEATER-Last night the
theater was crowded to excess BY q
most fashionable aud critical audience,
who enjoyed the fine representation of
" Hamlet" as presented by Mr.. Barry
Sullivan. Of Mr.. Sulivsn's Hamlet"
nothing can be said but praise. The fol-
lowing from the pen Of the New York
Tribune's dramatic critic hits exactly
the nice points and p~eculiarities Of the
play as developed BY Mr.. Sullivan:
In reading it is exceedingly beautiful.
Mr.. Sullivan varies a phrase, here and
there, from the text as usually given;
but he does not aim ut originality by tor
turing the language; and be reads the
sublime words Of the %soliloquies With
fluent grace and delicious information. 1t
may be said at once, though, that the
ideal is not materially unlike the accept
ed tradition Of the stage. Mr.. Sullivan
makes Hamlet simulate insanity; and
this-psrticularly at the beginning Of
the fourth act-he does with thrilling
fidelity to nature, and with great effect
upon the emotions. Some Of his illus
trative stage business-such IS the tear
ing aside Of the kings robe, at the eli.
max Of the play scene and the show Of
tenderness toward "0phelis," at their
parting--is unusually fine in its inten
ton and its effect, denoting his fine in.
telligence and his marvellous capaci-
ty Of finish. In person and bear
ing Mr.. Sullivan is l%eonine, coHrt-
ly, graceful and refined. His eyes
are gray, bright, keen and full OF strange
( FIRE. His countenance is OF that square
type 80 often. encountered in portraits
from the days of Queen Anne. He
dresses Hamlet" in purple and black aud
wears brown hair, curled and flowing.
His performance is admirable for a con.
slant and sustained identification. The
grim humor which now and then breaks
through the melancholy Of Hamlet
this actor expresses better than any re-
preventative Of the part that has been
seen in our time. The poetry OF the
character he does not express at all
The quality is intellectual, and it is also
weird; but it is not pathetic, and it lacks
inspiration. II we add that in Mr.. Sui
liysn's Hamlet is more OF the King
than the prince, and more Of the mar Of
action than the nerveless dreamer, whom
supernatural solicitings have shocked
and for whose quiet, intuitive nature the
mysteries Of life aud death are burdens
too great to be endured, we shall sufi-
GENTLY indicate the estimate we have
formed Of it from seeing this frat per-
formance. All hat form can attain is
attained in this work.
At the matinee to-day the comedy en-
titled Wonder will be presented, and to-
night Richard III will be the attraction.
SoDALTyY EETERTNIEMEST.-0n next
Monday night the Sodality Dramatic
Association will appear at the theater
and will present the Specler Bridegroom
anG Boots at the Swan, the members of
the Association taking the different
roles. In addition 10 the above pro-
gramme Mr.. Barry Sullivan and Mr.. ].
+. Cathcart have kindly consented to
appear and present a scene from one of
Shakespeare dramas. Diagrams for the
sale Of reserved seats can be found to.
day at the Tkeater box-ofice and at
Mansford's bookstore. The sale of seats
will be continued tomorrow and on Mon
day. From present appearances it is
certain that all the seats will be sold
rapidly.
MYERS OPERA HOUSE. Manager Cor.
man has ~reopened this temple of variety
amusement, and presents nightly a va
ried entertainment Of a pleasing charac-
ter. A number of popular artists sp-
pear each evening in. sp%ecialties and
farces. Manager German has arranged
for new people, who will appear in rapid
succession.