Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-10-16

Luz NtA1a1I AANt1 " --o~A
phia Bulletin describes Miss Mary An-
derson as "Evadne." in Richard LawlOr
Shells play Of that name, in the follow
lug lively manner:
At the Walnut Street Theater last
evening Richard Shells Evadne, or the
Statue, was presented, Miss Mary Ander'
sou appearing in the title role, supported
BY the regular company.
Incorrectly described on the bills as a
tragedy, Evsdne is q fair specimen OF
thai class of plays which constituted the
theatrical diet of our fathers aud grand
fathers. Until the very last scene Of the
last act all is gloom and misery; vice is
triumphant aud virtue everywhere is at q
disadvantage. just at the end of the
play the tangle OF difficulties is cut, viz
tue trinmphs and vice is whistled down
the Wind. Co~nstruetively q play of this
kind is extremely simple-what perplex-
tiles are contrived by the author for the
purpose Of entsngling the spectator are
mere details. IL is noticeable il plays
of this class that not one siHgle ray Of
humor is suffered to enter iato and light.
en- up their sombre texture; they are de-
pressiugly solemn from start TO finish.
Occasionally The solemnity assumes the
appearance Of dignity, but generally
speaking stupidity is its most salient
feature. In the days when dramatic
writing flowed in these channels, the
author relied upon the unadulterated fun
Of the aiter,piece to send the audience
away in a good humor; the more astute
playwrights of a later time judiciously
blend tragedy, comedy and farce, and we
cannot but regard the modern method as
better than the method employed of old.
EVandne, as we have said, is fairly
representative of its class, aud when
first brought out-sone sixty years ago
at Covent Garden, created a decided
sensation, winning honor and money for
the brishess bsrrister, its author. That
il has points Of real merit is u%ndeniable;
the character of "Evsdne' is charming,
and-Ehst is more to the purpose, re-
garding the matter from the standpoint
OF an actress who has her way to make
in the world-the author has given to the
part a number Of speeches of very con.
siderable power and beauty, aud which
are pretty certain to act promptly upon
the feelings OF an audience. The play,
indeed, was written for Miss O'Neil, aud
according to q contemporary critic
her rendition Of the part OF the heroine
fully justified the authors estimate OF
her powers, and WOO new laurels for her.
self aRd him" But then the Ludo vico
Of the original cast was Macre4dy, and
the Vicentio was Charles Kemble.
Miss Mary Anderson, who appeared
last evening for the FIRST time before a
Philadelphia audience, has displayed not
a little wisdom in uneartbing this old
play-and not less wisdom in unearthiHg
Lovells Ing0msr and Talfourd's lon
instead of taking up with the stock
pieces affected by the female theatrical
star Of the period. In these actually
old, but practically new, characters she
does not lay herself open to inVidious
COMPARISON with actresses who already
have won popular favor; and in breaking
new ground she adds the charm of nov
city to what is really a very commenda-
bic performance. Miss Anderson is far
from being a finished actress, but she
does possess many Of the qualities most
essential to making her one 10 the course
of time. Her most pressing need is to be
toned down-ln manner, action, voice
and dress. Like the old Southern Alma
nae, she us calculated for the meridians
Of Louisville and New Orleans" and be-
fore she can be wholly acceptable to an
Eastern audience she must rid herself
Of the extravaganza that pleases the
rather boisterously inclined population
OF the Southwest. Her trick OF slapping
her hands together; her tendency to roll
her rs, and her fancy for wearing a pet.
tcoat Of many and most homogeneous
colors are features of her performances
severably INSTRUMENTATION they are
features which easily enough may be
modified and made to accord with the
quieter tastes which every year are TAX.
ing frmer possession Of the stage. Under
good training she probably viii achieve
in time an unusual degree Of success,
for she has in her favor natural grace,
clear understanding Of The lines that she
repests-msnifested by her very Judi,
cious use Of emphssis-snd an excep.
tional power Of impressing vitality into
her assumed character. Handicapped
though she o is by the faults which we
have mentioned, she succeeded last even.
ing in carrying her audience with her
and in winning almost constant applause.
Thrice she was called before the curtain,
and the customary basket Of flowers was
not withheld.