The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-15
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Memphis theater this week will he one Of
the greatest attractions Of the season. 1t
is seldom that star surrounds herself
with so capable company or retains her
people ut 70 great an expense when play
ing outside Of the largest cities rs does
Margaret Mather. The same people who
appear in Miss Mather's support at the
theater tomorrow night in Shakespearc's
sublime love tragedy, "Romeo and Juliet,
are the same who have constituted Miss
Mather's support for the last six years, and
who have appeared with the lady during
this time in all the leading thcatcrs in all
the largest cities in the United States and
Canada, three OF them requiring the
guarantee OF iorty-fve weeks TO constitute
a seasons engagement. with salaries aggfe-
eating 500 per week. Few managers
there are who place their stars and
companies on the road precisely as Gus, for
New York, Philadelphia and Chicago. In
| the coming of Margaret Alathcr the people
are assured OF u legitimate company Of
| New York artists, namely Mr. Mines
lcyic, whose stage career commenced
forty years ago, and who has supported in
the past such artists as Charlotte Cusli-
man, Edwin Forrest, the elder Booth, the
lamcntcd Adelaide Nelson, Mary Amber
son and other noted artists
Sccond-Mr. Frederick Paulding whose
| youthful career rs u boy tragcdian is
doubtless familiar To all.
Third-Nls. Sol Smith. whose proics.
sional career commenced thirty-eight years
ago in the legitimate drama. This lady
has also supported in turn each Of the pre-
yiously named artists.
Fourth-The ramaining members Of thH
gem OF company form the entire Union
Square Theater company Of New York
City, under the management OF Mr.. J. VI.
Hall, who is the proprietor and manager
Of that noted Thespian temple Of drama in
New York City.
Miss Mather Is credited with all the en-.
dowmcnts that ian actress could wish.
Physically, IA well as mentally, she Is
bountiiully gifted. Her figure Is well COM
pact and Of average hight, and she has
handsome face, a charming expression. n
sweet, rich and well modulated voice, and
In action is the very embodiment Of grace.
With these rare gifts Of nature she also
possesses the happy faculty OF compelling
art Ia beautify nature, and her costumes
are rich and according TO the styles Of the
latest period.
OF Miss Mathor in Romeo and Juliet. {"
a critic writes: The play was "Romeo
and Juliet" the early scenes Of which
gave little scope for Miss Maiher's power.
but from her first appearance in the stately
minuct, where she for the first time meets
her Romeo, the play assumes an interest
and u realism that is continuous 10 It's
tragic ending. Miss Mather adds 20 a
winsomc manner and girlish ways a bright.
ness 81 intellect, grace Of movement and
warmth 81 passion that wins for her at
once the favor and admiration Of her
audience. She is woman al remarkable
attainmcnts, and knows how 10 make the
most effective use Of her great talent.
Besides that with which art has endowed
her she has an cXquisitcly beautiful face
and an expression that IL loneliness itself.
Nature and art seem 90 have combined their
forces In cquipping her n n trio portrait
urc Of the absolute realization OF Shake.
spcarc's gnatcst heroine. Her voice il
harmonious, musical in tone and clear and
correct In every inlonation. She il cana.
BILE Of force and warmth Of feeling that
cllu-cs itself directly into the receptive
feelings Of her audience, making them NJ.
sponsiyc, ~ far M they are able Of bccom.
Ing. 10 the varying emotions OF her soul.
With grace aud beauty In every contour
Of her face and the very poetry Of motion
In every movement, she rises 10 an excel.
lcncc in the character Of Juliet which may
be rivalcd, but certainly cannot be sur.
passed. so beautiful n woman, NO con.
summatc an artist, combined In one and
the same person could not help hut cap.
tiyatc the audience, which she holds cap.
tive by a magnetic power. The transition
that the play requires, from girish
fancy 10 the strongest emotions leading tn
the tragic elimination OF the play, was fol-
lowed up with a power and force that
showed the actress b. be quite "a much nj
home In the strong emotional require
mcn,s OF the rolo IN IN the lovc-sick scnti.
mentality, Of which the balcony scene Is
the very acme OF loyc-making. In all the
trying scenes OF the well known play,
measured by tho most critical standard,
Miss Mathcr displayed herself great
actress, with few equals, II any peers
Space will not permit an analysis OF the
various scenes wherein the gifted actnss
rose seemingly 70 the very pinnacle Of
dramatic sublimity.
As for the scenery, the very wealth Of Il
renders adequate description impossible.
| hNtI lho kINai riuHh tuIthln " uIaWu
aside, there appears section Of street In
Verona, with a market on the right, and q
series OF broad stelS on the left, passing
upward toward n massive archway, through
which the officers Of the law come 10 quell
the riot. The background seems 10 ex-
tend indefinitely In the distance, with q
river flowing away, SPAWNED by bridges
The ballroom, already referred 10, In such
| "a MIGHT ho fo,nI In Ina tnagniAccnt man.
slons OF the time portrayed. The balcony
side the garden under Juliei's win.
dow. After he disappears among the