Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-02-26


LAWRENCE BARRETT.-Las night an
intelligent aud apprecistive audience
was at the Memphis Theater to witness
Lawrence Barrett in hamlet, a play no
less remarkable for variety Of feature
than excellence Of its philosophy. Since
bis last engagement here Mr.. Barrett
has improved wonderfully. He imparts
to the role Hamlet a dignity, a beauty
and a charm hardly approached, aud not
often equaled. He gives the character a
vigor, freshness and effect we do not re-
member to have seer evidenced BY
any other actor. This is saying
a great deal, yet not more than
the merits Of this artist demand.
He is never weak, not inaccurate even to
the technique of the psychology of the
character. He not only analyses, but,
like Barry Sullivan, though to our own
mind more gracefully, and with better
regard to aesthetic accuracy, synthetizes
the elemental principles Of the role with
consummate skill and impressive effect.
The majesty of thought, the elevation OF
sentiment aud the depth of emotion find
in Mr. Barrott's portraiturs of Ham.
let" en- expression of intellect, an
illustration Of culture aud g beat
tude of feeling which no other
now on the stage can equal.
bis Hamlet" ia the real Hamlet"
not mad, nor weak and then strong, first
With calm despair" and then with
Wild c%omposnre," but it is regular, con
secutive, and natural. Barrett's Han.
let is as far superior 10 strength of por.
t~raiture and conception of sentiment as
are the philosophic lines of Pope to the
sentimental %scrib5ling of the every day
verse writer. But this superiority does
not consist alone in his comprehension
OF the character and expression Of it's in.
tell~ectuality, but also in his acting.
The former are creative and the latter
subsidiary, but 80 thoroughly identified
that Hamlet is Barrett, for Barrett is
Hamlet" We would like to speak crit.
cally and at length Of this great piece,
for not ooly as to the character Of
Hamlet" but 10 other and a variety Of
features, is the play remarkable for its
Illustrative beauty and philosophie range.
Even old "Polonius," excellently sus
tanned by Mr.. J. P. Sutton, is not without
this merit, for ~philology as to the Anglo
Saxon, iuds in thine ear" aud "lew
thy tongue" an instance of cogent
wisdom. The support was u~nexception.
ably superior, w. H. Power taking
the role "Ghost," and investing il
with deep interest. The "Laertes -
Of Edwin Prince was easy and ar
tistic. II. A. Lsngdon as liking"
more than realized what we generally
anticipate 10 this role. John A. Lace.
as Horatio," fulfilled every requisite
he is apt, polished and effective. Mrs
Foster Queen" though somewhat IN.
der the aver re age, was realistic. Mrs
Foster has IN intelligent comprehension
Of the role, and sustains it with meri
t]orious fidelity. A rare and acceptable
feature In Hamlet is to fud a PRETTY
"0phelia." This "0phelia" is realized
in the person Of Miss Ellen Cummens
whose im%pers9natiou Of the role was on
of the most natural we remember t
have seen on the Memphis stage. She
reads well, acts with elegant ease, and il
never amiss as to gesture, pose or ex
preston. We congratulate Mr. Davy il
securing for Mr.. Barretfs support a com.
pany Of such talent and uuquestionabIe
ability. Tonight the Dukes Motto viii
be presented.
ST. PATRICK's FAIR The festival fol-
the benefit Of St. Patrick's church be.
gins to morrow night at the Memphi:
Club Hall ard continues through Mardi.
Gras. Iii hardly necessary to say that
this will be one of the most attractive
entertainments Of the kind ever given ia
Memphis. The management of the ies
rival is in the hands of reliable and com.
petent gentlemen. There will be dane
ing every right,
The GRAND BALL AND SUPPER for The
benefit OF the Catholic church in course
Of erection will take place to morrow
Tuesday night at the Maeunercbol
Hall. Tidkets, including supper, one
dollar each. Ladies free. 1853