Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-02-04
THE MELANCHOLY DANE.
Anna Dickinson puts on the Brooches
and Gives Chicago her new Edi-
ten OF Hamlet" Prince
of Denmark.
HOW THE OLD GAL DID IT

Special to the Courier-Journal.l
CHICAGO, January 30.-Anna Dick
inson made her first appearance In her
new repertory of male characters at
McVicker's Theater tonight in
Hamlet" The house was somewhat
over half filled, and large proportion
OF the audience we're men and women
of fading generation who had been,
decades ago, touched and thrilled by
the then winsome, earnest girl, around
whose earlier public career there was
certain, though inde6nable, charm.
As an old tone will thrill, an old face
recall, an old presence warm and soft
ten, so did Anna Dickinson tonight
in Hamlet" revive memories and kin
die CHEEKY greeting for the old, but
which gave no certain tone OF welcome
for the new, which theold had brought.
1t is too soon to speak wholly fairly Of
this work. These are present impress
sions. Miss Dickinsoa has made what
Mrs. Dombey failed to do-a magnif-
cent effort. She has done more than
this, even, in the abstract. She has
dared, as a woman, TO leave a
calling of unquestioned status and
with something very akin to fame in
that, to identity herself with one not
altogether unquestioned, and has not
minced matters in Drawing criticism
by unusual assumption at the outset.
In this she has paid tribute to her
own sex with the dramatic profession
that does her very great honor. There,
however, sentiment ends. Anna
Dickinson begins where is found the
meridian of many artists achieve
ments, so far as personal popularity,
universally of public acquaintance and
the acquisition of ready made adver-
Using fund are concerned. Will this
advantage and her real artistic accom-
plishment blend in and compel sue
cess? In her Hamlet tonight were
found many real beauties, many mex
cusable weaknesses. In her reading at
times there were true revelations.
There we're ofsener bemeaning, weak
and silly affections. In her facial art
there was winsomeDess, tenderness
indeed, an undercurrent of touching
pathos that must win and hold. In
her makeup and stage manner she
does the part like bumped Quilp'
set upon padded stills.
The painful part OF it all lies In
either Miss Dickinson's misconceptior
of what tones are requisite, or in hel
utter inability to produce harmonious
and sustained work. This may obtain
from difficulties impossible for any o
her sex to overcome. AS it is, she
fails of all opportunities in climax
through a never ceasing voice effort
which is little better than a Shrek
and the old sing song we heard twent!
years ago is so much an interlude tina
it is almost monotone. She utterly
lacks in the power Of repose, both il
voice, contrast and climax. This MAJ
be remedied. She seems incapable o
Of dramatic equipOse. This may 10
be possible for her to gain. 1t is Ger
tain, however, no honest critic Cal
refrain from giving Miss Dickinson
praise for the heroic work Of which
these first efforts truly speak
She can better her work as much NOR
as her present accomplishment is su
perior to what was anticipated from
predictions against her. Her supper
is as full of unfortunate contrasts a
her own presentation. Rand, as th
King. is worthy to support anybody
Hamlet, while Wilson, as Polouiu
and the gravediqger, gave Chicago th
finest piece Of acting in those char
acters ever seen here since McVickC
has given up the latter character.
Miss Dickinson throughout wo
most generous applause, throug
sympathy and friendliness. do NJ
think it would be true to say her al
compelled the same. +. j. ".