Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-02-06
ADJUSTMENTS


never yet been a brighter, richer or
more sparkling production than Sheri-
dams School for Scandal. 1t has held
its place on the stage for o than a
hundred years, and bids fair to hold a
first position for several hundred
more. The play abounds in sparkling
wit, sly insinuations and striking SEN
fences, hitting at the foibles of society
as it existed in England a century
back, and as good a take-of on the
present time as any of more modern
type. None but a frst-class and we'll
constructed troupe of players can hope
to give a fitting illustration of this
superior composition. When properly
put on the stage with a suitable cast in
Eastern cities, the School for Scandal
never fails to draw a crowded audi
ence.
As rendered last night by Fanny
Davenport and her supporting troupe
the School for Scandal was acceptable.
The costumes were fresh and new,
many of them gorgeous and all SPLEEN
did, at the same time in exact imita-
ton OF the suits worn in polite society
a hundred years ago. The toilottes
worn by Miss Davenport in the part of
Lady Teazle," and Miss Helen
Tracy as Mrs. Candour,' we're truly
magnificent, in fact surpassed any
thing exhibited on our stage during
the present season. The gentlemen
were all neatly made up, aud were CON
spicuous for their oxactness of imita-
ton, even to toupee and knee-buckle,
to the toilettes ofthe Sheridan period,
as given in the history Of those days.
As to the acting of the comedy, how
ever, thore was room for criticism.
The feminine characters were all that
could be desired, in fact were excep-
tioually strong, those of Lady Sheer
we'll, by Amelia Hodges, and Mrs.
Candour," by Helen Tracy, being re-
markably we'll rendered. OF course
Miss Davenport, as Lady Teazle,"
was the central figure and performed
her part with faultless accuracy.
In the line of male characters, how
ever, a few were passable, but on the
whole little can be said in oommonIa-
ton of any particular one. In the
screen scene Of the fourth act, where
the interest is usually worked up to a
high point, only a moderate enthusi-
asm was aroused. The minuet dance.
at the end of the second act, was finely
performed, and elected genuine APP
plause for its grace and precision. The
audience, which was fair in numbers,
appeared familiar with this fashion
able dance of a former generation.
several present having participated in
Its May iutricacies within a few Years,
and they all expressed themselves de-
lighted with this particular part of the
entertainment. On the whole, how
ever, the School for Scandal was per-
haps as well represented as is usual BY
travelling companies. People present
last night, who have seen it presented
in the most finished style as to details
OF stage arrangement, as well as in the
acting of the several parts, did not ex-
pect perfection, and they were not dis
a@ppointed'
To-night ~Shakspeare's exquisite
comedy Of AS You Like II will be
presented. AS the fair "Rosalind."
Miss Fanny Davenport has few if any
equals In this country.
MoDJEsKA. The famous Nine
Modjeska opens al engagement at the
Memphis Theater Monday night for
one week. Her coming has long been
heralded and anxiously expected. She
appears first in Camille, a speciousI
and ingenious fve-act play from the
pen Of tho morbid but gifted younger
Dumas. No one who has ever at
tempted this subtle and difficult char
acter has succeeded in investing it
with such a spell of unbroken
interest as the fair Polish conn
tess. The encomiums of the
press in the larger cities, upon this as
we'll as her Juliet" and other char.
acters, are unqualified. This is her
first visitSouth, but her reputation has
preceded her as Que of the greatest
actresses of the times. She travels in
her own princely palace sleeping-car
and is accompanied by a splcnded
combination of the best actors. To
the highest order of talent and cul.
ture aud acting will be added scenic
effect and elaborate dressing. Next
weeks attractions will rank among
the best that have oyer visited Mem
phis.