The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-29

penrance. But Mr.. Marcus Mayer her
manager, with very much more zeal than
discretion, had hcralded the advent of his
star in such q ridiculously extravaganza
manner that n high standard WAS set, and
by that standard Mrs. Beerc must be
judged. Realizing the nervousness of a
star in n strange land, I deferred my visit
to the Manhattan opera house until Thurs
day. so rs not to do the lady an injustice
by criticisinS her first nights performances
Mrs. Deere has a very good supporting
company, the play was well staged, and
she was the initial attraction in the hand
soonest opera house | have ever seen.
Therefore, although LENA Despard" is q
horribly weak and senseless play, the
actress certainly made her American de-
but under suspicious circumstances.
Mrs. Beere is perhaps the greatest dis
appointment Of the present theatrical sea
son. She does we'll enough in the ordi-
nary conversational tones and common
place dialogue, but when it comes to emo
ton her lack of power is apparent She
appears to be conscientious, however, and
does her best all the way through. | can
say without hesitation that there are num-
bers of leading women and stars in the
United States who can put Mrs Beere in
the shade in acting. reading and personal
appearance. and yet they could no more
have got the opening date at the Manhat-
tan opera house than n crying child who
insists upon having a piece Of the moon
could get slice OF fair Luna
few more experiences like that of Mrs
Bernard Beere will bring supposedly astute
managers TO n realization of the fact that
the American public will judge foreign
actors upon their merits, without regard
to the exaggerated statements of their al
legged numerous triumphs ION the other
side" II Mrs. Beere is considered great
actress-a second Bernhnrdt-in England.
all have to say is that the English people
have suddenly acquired a theatrical obfus-
cation which is incomprehensible to me.
In Lena Despard" Mrs Beere only once
gave evidence Of the probable possession Of
spark of genius, and that was in the last
scene OF the play. when she poisons her
self. Despite her absurd fall she was
really good in that. the stimulation of the
agony caused by the liquid fire which she
had swallowed being admirable. In the
scene before that, however, when after
having confessed to her husband that she
had sinned earlier in life, she implores his
forgiveness, she so signally fails to rise to
the necessary heights that this, which is
one of the best episodes among the very
few good ones in the play is made posi-
lively ridiculous
uont suppose that Mrs Bcere'S man
nSer was responsible for the comparisons
which have been made between her and
Mrs. Langtry, but there have been advance
estimates of the merits of the two ladies in
the same play, and these have invariably
been to the disadvantage of Mrs Langtry.
This is rank injustice, for Mrs. Langtry is
superior in nearly every respect to Mrs.
Beere. Her magnificent, regal appearance
is of itself great deal in her favor, of
course.
Mrs. Beere's appearance, on the other
hand, is anything but impressive She is
very tall, with IA thin face and an ordinary
figure Sho walks awkwardly with a
stiff, uncertain movement, while Mrs.
l4angtry sails across the stage with the
air of one who owns this planet and is on
the way tosecure options on several others.
No one would think of calling Mrs Lang
try the English Bernhardt,n and yet she
is the superior of the woman who has been
doomed and pulled ad nauseam under that
prrtnDtiot,c cohriOuot