The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-12-01

MAGGIE MITCHELL AT TIE THEATRE To-
NlGHT.-Nliss Maggie Mitchell, who is yet
young in her feelings and distinguished
actress, appears at the Theatre tonight, and
will be supported, we are told, by q first
rate company. In Baltimore recently, at
the Holliday-Street Theatre, she appeared
as Little Barefoot before splendid house.
Referring to that performance, the follow
ing paragraph appeared in one OF the city
papers, which shows the personal affection
in which she is held:
"She was in capital spirits, and her act
ing was never more artistic. She moved
her audience to tears or laughter with such
unconscious ease that one might imagine
she had explored the springs OF all human
feeling and surprised the secret OF every
heart. These transitions from gayety to
sadness or from sorrow to smile were so
sharp at times that in some sudden convul-
sion of laughter the spectator was in
danger of swallowing a tear hot from
his cvelids. Yet there IS nothing IN
the character Of Little Barefoot itself TO
produce such effects. In the hands Of any
one but the artist it would be so common
place as to weary instead OF please the lis
tener. The dialogue is not strung with
pearls Of thought, nor does it gliStcn with
the briliants of wit; yet we venture to say
not a word Of it escaped the audience last
evening, and the immortal verse OF Shak-
speare never commanded more rapt atten-
ton. This, which would remain an mex
plicable mystery did we attempt to account
for it by any rules of art, is L riddle easy
to read in the light OF the genius which IL
lumines the acting Of Maggie Mitchell. One
touch of nature makes the world akin, and
in Little Barefoot the audience recog-
pized instantly that divine touch, and
responded to its subtle impulse.
There are, perhaps, some impersona-
tions which more freely display the pas
sionate force Of her genius; but none SO
noticeable for girlish simplicity and hoy-
ienish yivacity. Her animal spirits at one
moment ruled her, and at the next her spirit
nellie grace gave her the airiness OF fa!ry.
Her bv. play in the first act with Jenny
(Mr. Julian MitcheI), and in the second
with William (Mr. William Harris), was SO
subtle and changefui that II was gone almost
before the sensation which 1t produced
could be caught and analyzed. Maggie
Mitchell has one Of those rare sympathetlc
voices whose tones do more towards inter
preting the thought Of the playwright than
the text itself; and in the ludicrous scene,
where she produces the bag OF family
heirlooms for the inspection Of the
gaping Jenny, she might have easily
accomplished the same effect upon
the audience without speaking q line
OF the dialogue. Many new star has
risen and set upon the dramatic armament
since Maggie Mitchell made her first ap,
pearance, and the day is long passed when
the critic could add anything to her fame OF
dim the splendor OF her reputation; but tbe
artist is the artist always, and should com.
mand the homage which is the artists due.
The support last night was excellent. MIR.
Harris gave capital impersonation Of VIII
liam Peace, and Mr.. Mitchelps Jenny was
one OF the best bits OF character acting we
hsse seen in long time. The remaining
parts were all acceptably filed"