Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-11-09
MRS. LANGTRY'S
First Appearance in America-As an
Actress She is Uneven, Frigid,
and in Technicalities
Sometimes Crude-She Has Not Yet Sue
eeeded in the Development Of Her
Power, and is Only Beauty.

NEW 1oRk, November line 4btoI'to
says OF Mrs. Langtry's fret appearance that,
favored by many adventurous circumstances,
attracted an audience that occupied every
seat and all available standing room within
Wallack's Theater, and so great was the
multitude which sought admission that had
Inc house been three times as large IL sun
would have been crowded in every part. III
WAS not common audience; ii was not the
yearning throng that delights with unspeak-
able emotion over dados and fire-screens, but
1t was an assemblsge composed of many oil
the best elements of our society. Such
company can only be assembled in New
York theater of the first class by great
and genuine theatrical attraction, or by
social magnet OF exceptional alluremsnt.
The former of these Mrs. Langtry has per
haps become. The latter che long ago be-
came. The welcome accorded to her, there
lore, was not accorded to the Eoglish act
ress, but 10 the English beauty. Her gem
eral triumph, however, was unequivocal.
The public wss glad TO see her,
and 1t expressed its gladness In re-
sounding and protracted applause. Mrs.
Laugry Is In some respects an uncem-
monty handsome woman. The SYM
metry of her little head and long oval face,
the pure and beautiful whiteness OF her COM
plexion, the innocence and candor of her
large gray eyes, the and rich pleasing quail
address to others, and the grsce OF he car
rage and demeanor, not to mention her
taste IN dress, which appears 10 be laultless,
are the principal attributes to her loveliness.
1t was easy perceiving these 10 understand
the public welcome. Mrs. Lang'ry seemed
touched by this greeting, which she received
with tremulous, earnest and simple dignity;
and thereafter che patssd through critical
ordeal with the 6ne, thorou shbred courage
OF a susceptible but resolute spirit. Her
success wac far more a conquest throgh per-
sonality thsn conquest through dramatic
art, but not the less was it a success. Her
physical fitness for Ike stage was seen to be
extraordinary, and such as entirely justified
her entrance upon theatrical career. She
has nobility OF presence, tall and sufi-
cien,ly shapely figure, a countenance gener-
ally composed and cold, but susceptible OF
animation, clear, smooth and flexible voice,
a good instinct as to posture and
gesture, graceful and polished manners,
the Cnsought repose which is the sweet de-
noiement of self-poised character and good
breeding, and a distinct faculty of inielli-
gent and appropriate action. Furthermore,
she can at times move and speak in charac.
ter, and she knows now 10 listen. Mrs.
Laugiry's talents were clearly enough re-
vealed. She has sense as we'll as beauty, and
artistic faculty as we'll as personal charm.
But her talents were seen TO be, when tested
by artificial condition, embarrassed by the
self. consciousness that is obvious instead of
being controlled by the self-consclousness
that Is hidden, and to be tinsed with that
hardness of effort and that artificial glitter
which are universally characteristic of be-
ginners in acting, and which denote either
lack OF experience or lack of deep sensi-
biity. fFhs revelation OF personal attributes,
all the same, was free, comprehensive, iangi-
Bile and OF an interesting character. Mrs.
Langtry was not consistently Identified with
the character, such as it IL, OF "Hester Graz
brook" much more than half of the time of
her presence upon the scene, but Mrs Lang
try as herself-as a cold, stately and polished
lady, trying to be by turns rustic, passion
ate and wretched-exerted a positive
and agreeable fascination. This is
the potent force that has enabled
her TO make good, practical use OF
the circumstances and incidents of an adj
vantageous social celebrity. Without this
her suddenly prosperous public career would
have been impossible. With il and with her
unmistakable character, energy and self
knowledge she can win her way TO high legit-
innate rank on the stage, and thus satisfy the
desires of an ambition not less rational than
sincere. 1t does not seem possible for judg
ment TO go far astray in speaking of such
matter. The facts display themselves upon
the surface. As an actress, Mrs. Langtry is
uneven, frigid, and in technicslities some
times crude At moments, in "Hester's"
antsgenism TO her female enemy, and in her
assumption OF cool Indifference toward Arm
cliff, she becomes merged in the part At
other moments she lapses out OF it, She
has definite designs and tractable powers, but
she has not yet acquired perfect and uoerr-
ing control of either. On the other hand
she has attained 10 a remarkable experiences
considering the brevity of her professional
experience. She did not rev, al attributes of
tragical genius. There was no hint
of Imagination, exhalted spiritual pas
sion or melting tenderness in any
action or word of hers throughout the
performance. Her conduct and speech were
more of an artist who thus far displays indi-
viduality without imparting it. Nor did
her personality beneath her acting indicate
that fascinating strangeness and that wild
ness OF Inspiration, which are characteristic
OF the exceptional human beings who bear
the sacred fire. No trsgical performance, no
performance to arouse and oyerwhelm the
soul, is to be anticipated from this source.
But the rosy gods of mirth, romance, man
ners and capricious feminine character have
world of their own, and in this Mrs. Lang
try is we'll fitted 10 shIne. Time will develop
her, and will furnish her with all the equip
ment that now she lacks, and there is every
reason to believe that she will reach The
g!itteriDg trenchant comedy. She has moth
lug to do with sorrow. Her afinilies are all
with mirth and pleasure. Nature has made |
her a delighttai creature whether to see |
or to hear, and her temperature and educa- |
ton, the drift of her character and the force |
of ciTcUmstanc have concurred in max |
ing her a woman for our sudience |
A Theatrical career TO such per-
son this is far less matter |
of choice than of fate. This lady is little
skilled thus far in acting, if we compare her
with the Kembles and Cush mans of the PISS,
or with such representative actresses of the
present as Genevieve Ward, Modieska, Mrs.
Kendall, Ellen Terry, Mrs. B1ncroft, Ada
Cavendish, Rose Coghlan and Mary Ander-
son. But while talented and extremely apt
in the profession, she stands before the pub
nc an incarnation of health, beauty, grace
and refinement, luxuriating in the bloom
and vigor of physical happiness, and
to others the sense Of cheerful,
Astounding life, fragrant as a field of roses
and strong as the winds of the sea. Criticism
nay weigh and measure this individuality,
10 its fashion, and be ever 80
wise in Its sagaeious conclusion, but
his is power which, 10 the end OF
lime, will ever sway with equal impartiality
he fancy of youth and the gravity OF age
l light for which the world will always
urn its back on scholarship and wisdom,
ind for which the ssd-eyed philoso-
Dher evidently would gladly barter his
weary burden of knowledge, his mournful
patience, his apathy and his thankless fame.
Because she is a handsome woman, because
he sight of her is pleasure and a refresh
nent, because she is possessed of rare quail
ications for theatrical career, and because
ler present achievement, though neither in
nor surprising, is good attempt
ind full of promise. Mrs. Lsngtry should |
De welcomed to the American stage She
will be wise not to mistake for admiration
he idle curiosity and frivolous prattle that
iave followed her ever since she landed on
hese shores. The ultimate victory depends
lpon the 'staying power" not upon what
''her persons say, but upon what the actress
Ietually is. No woman ever had fairer,
broader field, or entered upon it with more
uspicious popularity.
what Other Papers Say.
The Times Gays Mrs. Lsngtry is not, IL
nay be said IS frankly as possible, an ac-
epiable actress. There was nothing in her
performance last night which indicated that
Ter Intelligence or instinct belongs to the
tage. She does in justice o her personality,
n fact, upon the stage. Both her gestures
Ind her pastures are strained and awkward |
she is at ease only when she is in repose
Is TO her conception of the character of |
Hester" it is hardly needful to speak Of
hat. Her grasp of the character was want
L. l.