The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-30
AN AMBITIOUS ACTRESS.
MISS LILLIAN LEWIS ENTERTAINs
AN APPEAL REPORTER.
She Talks Intelligently and Entertain
ingly OF the Stage and Profession
Why and How She Chose the Art
Charmed with Her Prospects.

Miss lillinn Lewis, the young emOuOnM
actress now appearing in three very strong
plays at the Memphis theatcr, is a new
sutton for favor from the Memphis public
In fact, her present tour is the first visit
she has ever paid the south in any capac-
ity, and she naturally studies closely the
people, their customs and habits. Miss
Lewis has been on the stage only few
weeks over five years, four of which she
has been at the head OF company. Find
ing encouragement and success sufficient
TO satisfy her in the north and east, she
never, until a short time since, even con-
templatcd cnltivating southern fields. The
venture was really more the result OF ac-
cidcnt than prcmeditated resolution. The
lady was playing at BaltimGe and met
Manager Bidwell, OF New Orleans lie
saw her performance, induced her 10 sign
contract for IN engagement at his theater,
and the southern tour followed. Every
where she has appeared Miss Lewis has
been hattcringly received by the critics
These have not pronounced the lady
phenomenon, or even rendered u
verdict that she was a finished act
ress They do say, however, that she
has the dramatic fire and emotional powers
requisite 10 place the young aspirant
high in the scale OF histrionic merit Al
ready she II we'll advanced in that direc.
ton, and with conscientious, skillful train
ing, assiduous and well directed applica-
ton, the balance will rapidly follow.
An APrEAL reporter pIsd Miss Lewis u
visit at the GnyOso hotel yesterday after
noon. Fashionable hours in dining are
observed by her, and the newspaper man
arrived just as the lady was in the act OF
leaving her room for the dining hall, nc.
companied by her brother and Mr.. Law
renee Marsdcn, manager. An invitation 10
join the party for dinner was cordially OK
tended, chccriully accepted, and as the
elaborate menu was gone through CONVEX.
gation ON theatrical topics and OF a person.
nj nature concerning the charming host
ess, was freely INDUCED. Miss Lewis dis
played the results OF u cultured mind aud
intelligent study III her chosen art. She
was acquainted with all the great lights Ia
the profession who are figuring at the pres
cnt day, also those who have recently
passed away, AMI familiar with the history
of those whose lives were worth studying.
She was born in Kentucky, is not ever
twenty-five years OF age, and admits adopt.
ing the life in obedience 10 burning de-
sire inherent in her. Said the lady, In TO-
sponse TO leading question by the re-
porter
Even when mere child Mortified my
pious parents and friends 10y proclaiming
TO them that ] wished and was determined
90 become an actress. ] was surrounded
by all the pleasures Of a comfortable home,
was literally INDUCED for all the social
pleasures desired and was thoroughly
contented in every respect save the anlbi- |
ton 10 embark ia ihratricals. When | |
reached maturity a gentleman admircr,
who knew Of this desire on my part prom
ised, II ! would marry him. TO crafty Il. |
consented, he failed 10 perform his part OF
the compact and ! obtained n divorce and
took the matter In my own hands Having
plenty OF money. this was not difficult
task, aud II has been adopted perma.
nenly.'
Have sou always appeared In the emo
tional line oi playsf'
II have cnioyed limited experience In |
nearly every line. NV first experience |
WIS In PLAYS where handsome costumes |
wcrc leading attractions, and with my |
snug little bank account IL was easy TO
meet every requirement. But my tastes
directed me into the channel where "a.
ticnt study and talent werc the winning
requisites. the emotional | first caught
this inspiration from special engagements
with Mccullough, In booth theater, aud
similar sterling organizations. About the |
end Of my df.i year on the stage, | saw |
"LAriicle A. performed, and from that |
moment my resolve was In the direction |
oi such plays 10 far have not regretted |
the departure aud II the success have 10
iar enjoyed continues, | never shall. so
kindly have been received. that | natur-
ally believe ! can at little, and will pa
iienily strive To make the public accept
me rs worthy OF recognition"
why have you delayed coming south
% longY'
"Whcn ! flint began starring. 10 please
the wealthy and fashionable people Of the
larger eastern cities was my sole ambition,
therefore, ! appeared principally In New
York. later all the leading cities OF the
other sections we're visited. Then thought
al the south, hut somehow feared the ven.
ture. This vague doubt IL not confined 10
me, hut ~ experienced by every atlor and
actress Who has not dispcllcd Il by break.
ing the ice Nov that am here, I can.
not understand why IL should be ~, iur
her people are charming, and hope 10
meet them every year
Have you begun Arranging your roper.
tnfc for next season.
''Oh, w., and. hy the way, my next
seafon viii bo virtually opened in the
south. o. ] have contracted for return
engagement ia Memphis In November,
aud New Orleans Ia December. ! shall
make speciality OF Camille aud 'Ad.
iicnne lcCouyrcr' 1hcse and my pres.
cnt plays, With Others that ! may conclude
TO add later, will equip me for successful
engapiuJnt They are oil old PLAYS, II II
true, but iayonics with the public, and I
love them Tor the scope afforded Tor dis.
play oil abilities. The only objection |
have 70 Camille, Lena Dcspard In As
In Looking Glass, and other similar
Characters, it that do love 10 play the
part OF u good woman Throughout. Nv
version ct the latter II entirely different
from the one used by Mr. Langiry. aud |
enact my role from an original conception
Of the part. Mine has not suffered in tie
comparison by critics, and shall continue
y. Mr. Marsdcn, my manager, is tho au.
thor"
THE conversation then turned upon
leading stage lights Of the female sex. Miss
Lewis had nothing but kind wonls ior all
Of hcm, Tor, said she, there Il room
for all Of us ! am well pleased over my
prospects which are bright in the extreme.
The leading emotional actresses u this
country arc getting well advanced in years,
and Mis- Margaret Mather aud have cx.
ccllcni chances 10 Rll the vacancies their
deaths or retirement will cause"