Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-08-28
BARRETT AND IRVING.
What the American Actor Thinks
of the English Favorite.
Predicting Favorable Reception for
Him In this Country---A Good
Word for Mrs. Terry.

u
dian, who arrived from abroad via
Boston and reached New York Mon
day, was visited by q reporter of the
World at his rooms, at the corner OF
Fifth avenue and iTwentyAeighth
street. Speaking of his trip abroad, he
said:
II had very enjoyable time in
Europe, and was received everywhere
with open arms. In Germany, as we'll
as in England, honors were showered
upon me which were really far above
| my merit, and which | accepted as a
tribute to the American stage rather
than to my individual efforts. | was
greatly impressed with English act
ing and actors, especially the perform
ances of Mr.. Henry Irving and Miss
Ellen Terry" ftH
what is your opinion of Mr.. Irving
as an actor?"
81 believe he is the greatest Eng
fish actor living. His popularity is
unbounded in England, and | am
sure he will duplicate it in this coun
try. The success he has achieved is
his own. His versatility is very great,
ranging as it does from Shakesperean
characterizations such as Hamlet to
Hans Mathies in The Bells and the
double role in The Courier Of Lyons
| have also seen him act in Louis
XII and Charles l. and his per-
formances in both pieces were simply
wonderful. he is generally regarded
to be an actor of the romantic school,
but the plays | have mentioned. show
how diverse are his capacities, and he
is excellent in everything he does.
IRVING AS A MANAGER.
But it is not only as an actor that
he is distinguished. AS manager he
shows sense Of the artistic which is
Of very high order. In fact, Mr..
Irving is the center Of the present art
movement in England. As an example
of the estimation he is held in by En-.
glish artists | may mention the fact
that Mr.. Millsis, the great painter,
whose pictures readily sell at 1000
| guineas each, offered to paint Mr..
Irving's portrait aud present it to the
Garrick Club I.
Were you present at the last per-
formanee2"
Unfortunately, no. l was just then
in Germany, and could not reach En-
gland in time to attend that perfol m
ance nor the public dinner which fol-
lowed it, and at which 500 guests sat
at the tables. | was present, however,
at a private dinner rendered to Mr..
Irving by the Garrick Club, and Ia
which no one but actors we're invited
There were some professional gentle.
men there who have not trod the
boards for twenty-five years. | re-
sponded to the toast Of Welcome to
America, and altogether the event
was one which did equal honor to the
Garrick Club and its distinguished
guest"
MISS TERRY's POPULARITY.
| us Miss Terry what is known as
star actress"
"She is not billed as such. They
have not that fashion in England al
they have here. Thus on the Londor
play bills the title of the performance
is given the most prominence, theI
follows the cast of characters. Mr.
lrving's and Miss Terry's names lead
ing, but not separated from the rest
Miss Terry, however, requires n,
technical distinction as STAR he
merits make her prominent whenevel
and wherever she appears. She is
charming woman, very talented ant
will no doubt fire the American hear
as she has that of her countrymen auC
women. She will, Of course, appea
in the leading female roles with Mr.
Irving, with exception Of The Bells,
in which she does not play. You viii
have an opportunity Of judging wheth
er my estimate of their abilities i
correct when they appear at she Sta
Theater. They open there on tn,
| 9th of October, two days after M
engagement closes"
i What will be the opening perform
ance2'
"'The Bells Mr. Irving brings ovel
with him all the properties, from .
thimble to stuffed elephant, and I
company Of fifty persons. He intends
all his plays with as much perfection
| Of detail as his own theater."
i What are your prospects with you
new play"
| Il will do all to merit the public
approval. The rehearsals have beer
very painstaking, and have been con.
tinued every day until the opening
night, next Monday. The scenic artist
and property men are working day anC
night to get ready, | believe that
have good play, but after all it is 70,
the public to pass its judgment on it
| In matters theatrical the public is th,
final and, in my opinion, the bes
judge of merit"