Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-03-14
John M'CGlTough az VTrgInIus md
King Lear.

No actor or actress that we have had here
this season has created so great TttrOre as
John Mccullough. People of all sorts and
conditions have hoc6ed to see him, and the
general voice places him among the first
actors of MS time. 1t has been no drawback
that ne has Appeared ia plays most of them
as old as the stage itseit-certaInly as old as
the period when the iullness OF Shakespeare s
god-hke genius was first acknowledged by
poets aud critics, and the immense body
OF literature linked By his name
with his fame was In its infancy
It was no hindrance that many
great artists had preceded him here whose
names are inseparable from the plays which
make up his repertoire. The people rushed
to see Mccullough, and forgot in his presence
the past with Its presidents, its stage tradi
tions, its brilliant lights now quenched for
ever. His face and mien blend so naturally
with all our preconoeptions OF the dignity Of
ancient days, and his carriage, force of will
aud energy IN actl@ so accord with what we
imagine Lear or a NHginius to be vested
with, that memory becomes blank and we
are carried forward from the opening to the
close Of the tragedies he interprets so well
as # in ourselves their passions and motives
were incentives in cur lives. The cleo
trio power Of the man is amazing. He
takes possession Of his audiences and
moves them at his viii - to them
a sweet will, from whose thrall they unwill-
ilgly awaken. This power to capture and ID
hold, and held With the C nsent of the cap
tive is vouchsafed to but few. No one now
upon the E1giish-s speaking stage has more Of
such magic working power than John M'Cul-
Tough; no man Of equal abilities on that
stage has ever made ] felt off the stage as
he has. he is f.vorte everywhere. To
the dignity OF a manhood the Integrity Of
which be brings TO every character ne as
sumes he uultes the simplicity OF q nature
.lfIf raj la cd al rod
by a heart that Is attuued to ali the kindlier
aud gcntler emotions. These qualities are 30
strong that they assert themselves as his pre-
dominating trails, so that wherever he goes he
makes q lasting impre' SION which enhances
the other impr ssslon which be leaves Of 2
dominating gen az for the art of which he is
one ct the greatest Of living delineators.
His personal character Is the setting for his
professional, Il,umlHg 1t with all that is at
trJctivs in a sterling man and a strong
magnetic individuality. OF thestage, as a
man among men; behind the scenes, an actor
among his iei'Ows, and on the stage as an
artist. lie is equally highly esteemed. HIS
kindness, c0usidetateness and large hearted
charity and generosity make for HIM a place
IN the hearts OF all he meets, whether Of the
mimic or the real world. Naturally very
emotional, long years of study and the ardu
Gus lab0rs incident to the travail he endured
before his powers were matured Tor birth,
all as plant agents to be called forth at
wall. and used as on occasion they become
necessary. This he makes most evident as
" Virginius, a character which he invests
with all the energy, rugged manlness, mar
iiai ardOr and patriotism we suppose Rcman
centurions to have possessed, heightened by
the praCes of Parental love and rSverent
affection for virtue that our poor and erling
human nature has never baen wholly destl-
futs Of The play Is built up to the ideal Of
a romantic antique model. 1t is peIvaded
5v every cause Tor absorbing interest. It's
motives are foun1 in patriotic ardor, military
reao~n sud slory,e the o tender , and
treachery and lechery, the stain and shame
OF slavery, all leading up to stainless
death rather than aGGtterous LIE, and
eventually 10 madness aud to murder. In
this wide range Mccullough Ends free play
for all the powers necessary to the unfolding
OF q complicated plot. No Roman ever
loved his country with more intelligent and
well-direcied affection, no soldier ever went
more willingly 10 war, no patriot
ever 80 patiently exhausted the we'll
springs OF law ere becoming
law unto himself, aud no father,
even in our own enlightened day, could SC
long subordinate his over taxed affection tc
the plain purposes OF tyfSat whose lecIef-
Gus leer the dignitles Of ottlclal station
could not hide away. The scene wherein &C.
ours this elimination of tragedy, every ac
OF which Is pregnant with an intensity all It's
own. Is, IN MCuloUgh's hands, rich IN emo
ton Fired by the love for his child, his sus
piciOn Of the uuchaste purposes OF the Judg'
who Is to decide for or against her freedom
he pasges from the tenderness OF the fathe
to the righteous indignation OF the citl
I'm and father, the alterations being
so rapid, SO vivid, so real as t
rivet to an almost breathless atten
ton an audience that was re
r1larkabl. for refinement AID culture. NJ
wonder the house rose TO tumuitUons ap
Dlause and that he was called out between
tbe acts. to receive the highest hOnors the PEG
pie can confer upon an Sr,ist. Many OF then
bad seen VirgiHiMs beiOreS anne OF then
had ever seen 1t rendered nearer &C lie o
had brought home 10 them more closely tn
passion and pathos Of a story that will Away
be fresh 10 the recurring generations OF men
King Lear Is a tragedy altogether IN
ike YirgiHiWs. Besides, 1t bears the ina
press Of the ms scr hand. and Is pervaded b.
She subtle spirit that followed always upol
mis- wizard touch. Il Is marked by mel
auCAoy that no action, however strong, cal
dIspel. Ia its opening scenes there Is tn
broodlng OF s great wrong that en n1
sadly IN insanity AID death. The venerable
old king, even IN his Proudest moments
seems as If haunted by the shadow OF
syreat decline and dread disaster. The am
billions and jealoUsies Of his children burde
mis- lite. and Though "egery inch a king,
their contentious break down hls strength
invade his heart, and at last violate ~
mind and degrade 1t from the light OF III
to the merely auimatiDg force OF MAD oil
man, whose powers are only mechanlca
The story Is pathetic IN the extreme. File
ino-9utude, under any circums ances, taXe
ne iu, ignation of good people tor word
-.yherey7Ith % measure It's encrmlty Is cnm
When II involves the persecution OF fathe
10y daughters, whose sex makes an Immature
deed more base, 1t pass=1 AL bounds, ana Il
''klug Lear's" case makes, Ior what wa
once a serene and commanding majesty
a pity as profound as the depth to winch
mas been precipita ed 10y cruel children. a
n 'Cullough pOrtrays the character he leave
-oon for complaint. The strong scene
- yVh ;ch the old king rants as II like tn
md he challenges to blow, he would crlc
-. checks. affords MIN room and verg
.-,,ro,b for the robustious rant that once wa
n rSI1mon 20 bis school, but IN the seen
vgEsre the barrennes5 aud blaekness OF
ancs goyern,ns and dominating min
made SO apparent, be Ieyeals To-
ar and highest phase OF etiiSI
49, yyt. ereby he suo1sdInates hlmsei 10 y
- y ~ the emptiness OF maud
- - nov, an : then ighted up, as al VI
IA - H. legsf,fi5rs It the love the ioss
l;,b ,vas harder 30 be horne than tue 10
i.-,,-s and tine croysp. SEaying strcI
"a - iI,a r,irni.ry Of unIestralned passlo
-, hrcugbt Them to tears by the teno5rhe
IS tho enot;cas which were the only gieal
- 80 NJ, ia iEaa gave cut. Every To-
10. 90, 9esi. every word pun
a, from . SOIL OYeEOu