Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-01-23
AMUaRMRNTE
The Lnr.

The LILY.
More than 200 people went to see
Mrs. LAnstry last night, and it is safe
to say that while perhaps none we're
enchanted, many we're delighted, and
all were pleased. The larger number,
who attended out of pure curiosity and
did not expect to see much in the wsy
OF acting, were very agreeably disap.
pointed. Mrs. Lanstry is a clever
actress, to express it mildly, and it is
not too much to say that she is the
quail of any member Of her company,
and the superior of many. Without
apparent effort she speaks English
plainly, so it can be perfectly I'M
derstood by all within respectable
distance, and that is much more than
several old stageIs OF her company
appear able to do. Surrounded BY
professionals, many Of whom
have been players from childhood,
it vas expected that Mrs. Langtry's
action would appear am~ateurisb, if
not awkward, but from her entrance
to the last she appeared perfectly st
ease. She spoke her lines distinctly,
began at the proper time, suited her
action to the words, also proper EN-.
phasis at proper places and gave the
prompter no trouble whatever. The
closest and most observant spectators,
long familiar with play people in their
public capacity, we're unable to detect
flaws except Of a minor aud unimpor-
tant description. In fOrcible passages
where vehemence is necessary the
lady appears somewhat deficient, but
10 all others she did fairly well; and
in parts where the cultured lady is
impersOnated she is perfectly charm
ing. While it is hardly probable that
Mrs. Langtry will ever become a great
actress, yet she possesses, beyond a
doubt, considerable dramatic ability,
aud in the school Of high or genteel
comedy she will shine conspicuously.
Mrs. Langtry is lan.ed the world over
for beauty, but tastes vary on this
point. She is tall and well formed,
though some think her arms lack
symmetry, and some go so far as to call
them ungainly. She has a beautiful
complexion = peachy cheeks, a fine
forehead, a wealth Of beautiful brown
hair, which, when turned loose, hangs
several inches below her waist. Her
neck is lovely, and she is exceedingly
gracefulin her method and manner; her
voice is soft and winning, her man
ners are fascinating in the extreme.
Her eyes are large and beautiful, her
mouth is also beyond the average in
size, and it is not a handsome mouth,
her nose is a little less bcauti-
ful than some noses, and her feet are
not diminutive. Take her all in all,
however, Mrs. Langtry is a brilliant
woman, and she would command con-
spiouous attention in any walk or
station. Her entrance on the stage
last night AS a country maid, fresh
rom her morning dairy work, caused
a buzz of commotion in the audience
She remained but a moment, and upon
her exit a sensation resulted. DR..
Boerhave B~utcherly's efforts to talk
we're suppressed by the chatter, and
What do you think Of herr" was the
question all over the house.. After a
bit she came on again, and the
audience grew quiet and listened at
tentiyely. Ere longit was APPARENT that
the audience was interested, both in
the players and the play. At the end
Of the FIRST act the star Of the evening
had won all hearts, and when the cur.
tain fell she received z hearty recall
before it. The second act showed the
country farmers daughter promoted
to be a nobleman's wife and MY
Lady" Of Arneeliffe Manor. She con-
tinued to win her way into the hearts
Of her auditors, and at the end Of the
act was cordially called forth again.
In the last act her part was that Of a
highly cultivated woman Of the world,
young, beautiful, rich. and capable If
drawing Dukes and Princes to her
side, and this part Mrs. Laugtry acted
like a Queen. The audience fire..
quently gave her cordial greeting in
recognition Of her success during this,
the last act Of the comedy. Of the
supporting troupe it is only necessary
to say they are English. decidedly
English, tnd several are so afflicted
with c~ockneyism that they cannot, or
at least do not, speak their native
tongue. Old Butcherby was the
worst Of the lot, but several 9th.
ers we're very bad. They managed to
keep up the interest Of the play, how
ever, and on the whole gave a very
acceptable performance, which lasted
until after eleven o'clock. Tonight
Mrs. Lsngtry's engagement closes with