Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-01-23
The Performance.


Mrs. Langtry appeared at Leubrie's The
alter last night before model audience. The
brightest, the most intelligent and the pref
test of Memphis ladies were present. The
ladies preponderated in the audience. OF
course the fret question concerned the beauty
OF the actress. Perhaps in question Of this
kind men are better judges Than women.
There was certainly, last nigh, division OF
opinion regarding Mrs. Lsngtry simply a
beauty; but il must be remembered that
there has been similar conflict regarding all
the famous beauties OF the world. Who can de-
6ne beauty? 1t is as subtle as the Lightning;
and to describe it is as difficult as TO chain
the lightning. Beauty is a sentiment and
not definition. 1t is not regularity; it is
not a winsome laugh; it il not a pair Of
bright eyes; it is not beautiful form; il is
not pretty hand or dainty FOOT i; is an in
defnable combinations; il is an aggregste
which is no more defnable than is the per
sonality OF the great Creator. One may find
fault with Mrs. Lanetry's reputation as a
ground that she is a strikiogly attractive
lsdy. Her face once seen will never
b, forgotten. Her profile reminds
one of the Goddess OF Liberty. Her
eyes are blue; her teeth dszziDgly
white; her lips more accustomed to laughter
than 10 scor0; her complexion is simply per-
feciion, possessing as it does healthy Eu-
glish wildwood glow. The rose aud the lily
seem in it TO struggle for the victory. Mrs.
Langtry's beauty becomes apparent, when
che is pitted against the other ladies of her
troupe, all OF whom can lay just claims to
PERSONAL attractions. This que stiou of the
lady's besuty was variousIy disposed of by
the different m mbers of the audience last
night, but there was no question that Mrs.
Lsugtry had made most favorable
impression. The APPEAL Representative
went to he Tneater last night prepared 10
treat Mrs. Lsngtry as he would any other
actress. To be sure she is not a Bernhardt
or a Modjesks; nor has she ever claimed to
b.. She is not even Mary And rsou, who
has been on the stage for six or seven years.
The main test of the actress merit il, does
she entertain, does she attract, does she en-
list interest in the play? Ii Mrs. LaDstry
we're a beautiful marble statue playing the
par of "Hester Gsz.brook," che would be
hissed of the stage. Her reputation as a
beauty seems TO have stood in the
way OF her reputation as an actress. In the
dramatic line the APPEAL. boldly takes the
ground tina, she has been done malicious iu-
justice. II Can hardly be said that Mem
phis audience is inclined toward sentime nIal
ity. The complaint usually brought is lack
OF appreciation and coldness. Mrs Lang
try's reception last right was OF the warmest
description. What are the lady's claims 10
bislrionic excellence? She is graceful and
self possessed on the stage; she has striking
appearance; she has mobile face; she has
an alert intelligence and a ready grace; she
has certain magnetism which enlisis The
good will of the audience at once. Is her con.
ception of the part of "Hester GrazebrookH
in the play of The Unequal Match legitim ale
stage impersonaiion, or is it amaieurishl
IL there were any serious defscis iu her por-
trayal OF the part OF "Hester'i the apdiencs
and the APPEAL critic failed to notice them
There was finish, magnetism and dainty
grace which would have done credit TO the
best actresses on the American stage. Mrs
Langiry has, beyond question, dramatic tai.
ent OF high order. The snobs and the bypo-
critical writers of the press may have beeu
blinded TO il; but if the lady chooses to per.
severe in the line which she has mapped oui