The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-07

| tween her foes and her partisans In the second
act was less impressive aud picturesque than Mrs.
| Rousbys a. remember II, aud there was lack Of
feeling In her way Of receiving the news Of her de-
voted lovers death NJ the close of the play which
dctracied from the force OF her scornful dismissal
of Renard. Mrs. Potters theatrical friends would
do her service II they could persuade her not to
! make up 30 much. 10 ask her to make up more
| like Elizabeth would be cruel, for II history may
be trusted, the virgin Queen was no beauty.
The critic of The Times, though as kindly
! disposed can't go the length of The Herald
! lie says
Her monotonous, scesawing delivery Of the text
deprived II OF much Of lis dramatic value, and the
expressions OF her couuenanoe, intended TO convey
the ideas Of seorn aud contempt. were not Of much
aid TO her In Indicating the meaning OF the play.
In the love scenes she ondcayOrcd 10 express the
tenderness and force OF her passion for Courtenay
by eNubcrant action and hysicrical speech, but the
cncrl was not convincing.
The critic OF The Ereaing Post Is more just
to his readers II more cruel TO the aspiring
"drawing-room pet" He concludes that it
is best to tell the truth and notify the beauty
and the public that
Asa matter Of iact, she has improved very littlo
II any, since her earlier efforts In this city, aud
must still be accounted an amateur Of very raw
OF her performance, indeed Is the utter lack In II
OF anything like acquired skin The one proics.
| sional attribute about her Is her sclfconh1cncc
which In an untutorod beginner l. by no means a
cheering Sign. Her movements are ungriceful, un
certain aud unlntolligcnt-thAt is 10 say, devoid
OF Intelligent purpose, her clocuton IN siovcnly
N a degree, her gestures are wooden, spas
mode aud Insignificant, aud her facial expires.
sion bears the hlntest relationship 10 the
spoken text There "a no ioryor In her love no
fire ia her indignation, no pathos In her grief, no
majesty Ia her prde-she goes through her part, In
q word, like child that has learned It's lesson
with the halting and deadly precision Of string
Inspired murioncite The transformation effected
In the character of the lionhearted Elizabeth by
treatment Of this sort may bc imagined, perhaps
Il cannot bc described. follower mockcfy Of
| acting was never seen. The incompetoncy OF the
chief actress had dunpcning effect, apparently
! upon the rest of the performers.
This is severe, but worse remains behind.
The critic Of The Tribune, who enjoys a
| scholarly distinction IN connection with the
drama that makes him an authority on all
such matters, literally squclches her as still
cropping about In the sentimental stage Of
weak and aimlcss amateurism, with only
handsome face, fine figure and good clothes
To relieve her inipidity lie says:
Ms Potter who has been Ina almust continual
practice since she acted herr year ago. has some
| what modified her tendency 10 elaborate posture
and n the slow inslpidlty Of linked sweetness
| drawn out" she moves about the scene with
more character II the Princess Elizabeth. Her
choice ~ the character oi Princess Elizabeth proves
fouunaicior the a'irs, like the part, f. girlish
Womnns sweet iniorc~tlug aud very pretty The
requisite distinction of manner she lid not reveal
a..
dclicately aud pleasantly sunnsel with fcrbrile
animation. alike scnslous and piquAnt and this
may b. recorded M the supreme merit of the I'm.
| pcrunatun. 10 Elinbclhs Wild grief aud pas.
sonnic revolt after the heroic parting with the be-
loved Courtney the actress brought a certain spas
mcdio irrcgulahty OF dcmcnnor. combined with
| vehement articulation. aud the frtl substitutes
fur deep iocllng Wetc again employed IN that noby
imaginative passage In which the royal girl
IL made 10 undergo and 10 express fTcusy
~ fear aud drcid. In the shadow ~ the scaf
fold Bcncath the bost manifestations Of dramatic
art thcrc Is always deep nature The acting of
Mrt Potter plciscs the eye. but II loc, not impress
the mind or touch the heart Il denotes person
| ality which. though fragile, II charming. but IL
docs not indicate distinctive ioncc In the realm ot
| expression. This Princess Elizabeth. portrayed by
| an actrcss ~ rial resource. would dominate the
| Imagination perfect typo NJ inonl hcrpism and
royal Wumnnhoud. she would b. the pcrsouin alton
~ Intellect virtue, tondcin,-s aud moral power
Portrayed boy Mr.. rutlcr shy Is gentle htte cfcat
tufc, niuri In becoming garments, AMI impcllei
by various puny dlscomiorts, a. an excited aud
even tnmultuous nchhvior Tho achievement r.
! iugulary ru'iiy, bat artificial ami trivial Mr.
/ luucr may pueibly IN the iuiurc. have some
message 10 convey 20 mind, that arr earnest aud
| heart that feel AZ prsent She means rothing
| In execution. method. technical proficiency. Mr.
| iuiirfs acting fcuialns essentially experimental
and irchc. The clpcution l. fail oi starts ani
flaws" motivcl.s. vhsirrinrs nltcrnalcd with
shrll cries The picture ~ character larks hucnty
consistency. meaning aud form The work lacks
sincerity aud purpose AID may bc likcncd 10 writing
,iiat q freshly blurred
Mr. Potter had better go back io her draw.
ingroom Thcv she can play her own part
and hold her own with rivals very we'll
The world, stage is too lausc for her and the
people demand other attributes In artists
than tine clothes on fair figure. She Is q
failure a. an actress.