Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-03-07
ADJUSTMENTS,

~N una mr. AN DVAlAuNC
troupe performed Sweet Hearts and
David Garrick last night at the Mem
phis Theater very a%cceptably. The
attendance was not as good as the
merits Of the company or the spirited
pieces presented deserved. Tonight,
for the benefit Of Mr.. Boniface, the
Soldiers Trust viii be given. SO ac-
complishcd and painstaking an actor
as Mr.. Bonifaco deserves we'll of tho
public, and a full house should be his
reward. AT the matinee tomorrow
the Soldiers Trust will be presented
for the last time, and at night Micaw-
Der and Peggetty, from Dickens celo-
bratcd story of David Coppcr6cld,
with David Garrick, will close the
Boniface engagement.
THE JNo. McCULLoUGHt troupe open
here next Monday night, and will pre-
sent during the week a round of fine
classical plays in the most superb style.
The company is especially strong, and
a dramatic treat may be expected.
The opening performance will be
Shakspeare's 0thello, in which Mr..
Mccullough impersonates the leading
role. The play is regarded as n of
S~hakspeare's most perfect construc-
tons, faultleSs in plot, and harnessed
with the most favorable conditions for
the development of its motiye-ieal-
ousy. The scene is laid in Venice,
during the days when the Venetian
republic was shining l%ustrously
among the most civilized nations
of the world. 0thello, n Of
its most honored warriors. but
a blackamoor, won, by the splen-
dor ofhis deeds and his spirited rela-
ton o them, the heart of the fair and
gentle Desdemona," stole her from
her father and then permitted his
savage heart to be poisoned against so
comely a bride by the in~sinuations of
the plotting " Iago.1 Speaking of
McCullough's im~personation off
0thello," during his recent engage
ment at st. Louis, one Of the local
papers says:
Mr. Mccullough works with the
fundamental idea of producing a har-
mOnius picture. His speech before
the council in the first act is almost
conversational, and this is correct and
effective. His second act in the scene
the drunken brawl is dignifed and
in perfect harmony with the situation
and his position in Cyprus. His third
act, the great scene with "Iago." is
admirably shaded and treated through
with artistic power. His savage
springs naturally to the spurs
If suspicion and becomes an unbridled
His disgust at the fact that he
s allowing rlago" to read his thoughts
md note his emotions is grandly
lrawn, and his very hatred of himself
or suggesting the Office of a spy upon
lis wife is a vivid picture of selfcon-
and yet hiSnewly awakened
nature impels him to it. His speech,
wherein he pictures his lost position
md blasted hopes, that, ending with
,Othcllo's occupations gone, is de-
iyercd in an intense, low, plaintivc
one, and is a true wall of despair.
He has abandoned the traditional
defamation in the passage. and strikes
.hc proper key, and the effect proves
is harmony. The other two acts
lartOok Of the same peculiar combina-
ion of Notwithstanding a dcpar-
.ure from the old school "Othcllo."
McCullough's "0thello" is in transit
ion and yet it is moving in harmony.
It is always strong, and making giant
strides toward perfection. McCul-
ough has newly costumcd "0thello,"
md his robes, as they arc worn BY
nm, are candcscent and living with
oriental light. The audience of last
light was fine, full Of culture and
csp0nsivc.