Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-01-25
AMusEMBNTs.
Lolita.

n AoA Ec cOilOVuAoo "a pOOPiO 5@ehOAeN
at the theater last night, filing every
chair, ladies occupying numerous seats
close to the orchestra, as well as up in
the family circle. Standing room was
also scarce. An audience such as that,
drawn largely from our politest and
most cultivated circles, was a we'll
merited compliment to the bewitoh-
ing Lolita. And a merrier audi
ence has not assembled here
in years. From Lotta's entrance in
the first act to the close Of the play, at
II o'clock, the mirth provoking little
comnedienne kept the spectators in
the best of temper. Her numerous
antics and comicalities ELECTED fire.
quent outbursts of laughter and ap-
plause. 1t is generally conceded that
Lolita is genius of the most capti-
waiting description and decidedly orig
inal in type one much loved
and respected by the play-going
people; one who, during her
public career, has always been
spoken Of as worthy little lady
by members of her own profession, and
this is often alluded to as little re-
markable considering the numerous
ijealousies and rivalries always known
to prevail among dramatic people. Lot
ia is invariably mentioned as a most
estimable and pure minded person,
fully deserving the place she holds in
popular favor. She has never set her
self up as ScOtt-Siddons, or a Mary
Anderson, but she is a bright little
star, full of spirit, dash and
humor of the most animated descrip-
ton and one which Itheater managers
are all eager to secure, because she
draws and is profitable. In this con-
nection it may not be inappropos to
mention few points in Lotta's re-
markably successful career. The
spanking little attraction is q native
of California, of English parentage.
In her infancy her father kept a
public house, where miners congrega :
ted. Her prankish ways won
favor with all classes, both
among the refined and the
rough, and Lolita grew to be something
Of rough diamond, learned to pick
the banjo, sing lively dittys aud dance
juba. Finally she appeared with sue :
cess before audiences in concert rooms,
Early in the sixties, say dozen and a
half years ago, Lolita acted soubrette
or comic parts in a Chicago theater.
Her cOmical style always took with
the people and she excelled in parts
like Nan, the Good for Nothing"
Bob, in "The Streets Of New York, F"
and similar characters. After a sea
son of heavy dramatic work at the
theaters along in '62 or '63, the theat-
rical men Of the press met about a
convivial board enc night and
all agreed to write paragraph
in each of their several journals, ask
ing the theater management to put on
something less melodramatic, some.
thing like "The Streets of New York, I"
with Lolita in the leading part, merely
to give the little girl chance. and to
impart little animation in the public
heart. 1t was done, and Lolita did
her work so we'll that columns of
praise we're written about it. From
that date her career has been upward.
A manager soon afterward engaged
her to play in various cities for
a year, paying her a hundred
dollars per week, including
travelling expenses for self and mother.
That manager cleared $4,000 over all
expenses, and lost it all afterwards in
a Black Crook party, the parapherna-
liza OF which was sold by the constable
in this city. During the engagement
alluded to, Lolita made her first ap
pearance in New York, playing to
crowded houses, at Niblo's Garden,
in the winter oflS63 After that time
Lolita had no trouble in getting man
ayers of ability to manage her on
shares; that is, divide after certain
per centage to cover expenses, and ere
long she could command her own
terms. She has always dealt literally
with managers, however. One of her
best and most successful, both for him
self and her pecuniarly, is Mr.. Henry
Abbey, who sent us Bernhardt last
year aud is managing Mr.. Booth and
Patti this season. Lolita first came
here under the management Of Robt
McWade in 1867, played week at the
Greenlaw 0perahOuse and drew
crowded audiences. fully a:
large as that which attended
last night. 1t was about this period
that nearly all the actresses of th,
country cast for comedyparts attempt
ed to initiate her style, manner and
cunning antics. The attemps in man,
cases we're ludicrous. Some PARTIAL,
succeeded, and won favor with th,
public to degree, and even to thi
day it Is not uncommon to hear an ad
vance agent describe the star he repre-