MISS ELLEN TERRY

Evening Star, Issue 15538, 7 July 1914, Page 6

MISS ELLEN TERRY

SOME MEMORABLE IMPERSONATIONS. Miss Ellen Terry’s second discourse, upon ‘ The Pathetic Heroines of Shakespeare,’ was delivered in the Garrison Hall last night, and must bo accounted an achievement of paramount artistic value. And as such, their sensibilities deeply engaged by the matchless art of the actress, the very largo audience were quick to recognise it. The enthusiasm of the final recall, when tho big gathering cheered her as she stood surrounded by floral tributes, was memorable, and there- was the suspicion "of emotion in the actress’s acknowledgment of her auditors' gratitude. Primarily, tho great appeal that remains in Mbs Terry's armory is that of her wonderful changing voice that seems always to bring emotion very near. Tho most subtle nuances of expression are still within its compass. Tho passionate, quivering terror of Juliet with the opiate in her hand and the horror of the tomb haunting her imagination was one of those supremely great impersonations that compel criticism to lay down its arms. Hardly jess poignant was tho portraiture in the pitiful scene from ‘Hamlet’ in which Ophelia, her wits astray, wanders from one to another with her flowers. Ah, the audience could not but feel in the company of a very distinguished lady, to whom age had lent but special charm and -dignity. And the little character sketches by which she lifted her principal impersonations into proper perspective—the nurse, Gapulet, Lady Capulet, ASmilia—how vividly they stood out, though painted (as it "were) with one sweep of the brush!

The discourse itself, illuminating and incisive, embraced the whole of the heroines who, despite their great qualities, as Miss Terry said, suffered sorrow and defeat—Deedemona, Juliet, Ophelia, Imogen, Cleopatra, Cordelia, Its special charm was a kind of graceful intimacy that took the audience into her confidence with dignity. Altogether it was an occasion that will always remain green in the memory of those privileged to see the fineet and most characteristic traits of Shakespeare’s characters mirrored in a great actress’s art.

As in the first recital, Miss Terry was assisted by Mr Joseph BLaeciieck, Miss O-iadya M’Dowell, and Misa Nine Itobafr.