"Memorabilia of Charlotte Cushman," Chicago Daily Tribune, Feb 27, 1876
Dublin Core
Title
"Memorabilia of Charlotte Cushman," Chicago Daily Tribune, Feb 27, 1876
Subject
Cushman, Charlotte Saunders, 1816-1876
Macready, William Charles
Reputation
Religion
Death
Gossip--Published
Description
The article seeks to contribute to a favorable public image of the actress who is criticized by the Nation after her death as well as, apparently, runs the risk of being depicted as unreligious. This article in the Chicago Daily Tribune counters these recently circulated account. It selectively reads Macready's diary, leaving out the critical parts about Cushman. The article also quotes from a letter sent by Cushman to Mary Mapas Dodge, building on intimate knowledge.
Credit
Source
Type
Reference
Article Item Type Metadata
Text
The Outer World
MEMORABILIA OF CHARLOTTE CUSHMAN.
A Boston writer notices that Charlotte Cushman, when playing the National Theatre many years ago in the "Lady of Lyons," was interrupted by insolent addresses from the gallery. She was acting Claude to the Pauline of Miss Fanny Wallack; and, though excessively annoyed, she did not for a moment forget the proprieties of her part. but gracefully extended her hand to Pauline and took her from the stage. Then returning she said passionately to the audience. "I will NOT stand here and be insulted. Either order must be maintained, or the play must stop." The play didn't stop. The following extract from a private letter of Miss Cushman to a friend in New York is sent by Mary Mapas Dodge to the New York Evening Post with the idea, as she says, that its publication may tend to correct the prevalent impression that actors are necessarily lacking religious feeling:
Still another item concerning Miss Cushman may be given in this place. The New York Nation, which assumes to be a high critical authority. says. in a notice of her death, that her success was due rather to industry than to genius, "and her style was too melodramatic for the best playing of the great Shakspearian parts [sic]." If there is any meaning in this judgment we have failed to discover it. The Nation condescends, however, to admit that there is absolutely no one to take her place. Macready was evidently of a different opinion from the critic of the Nation. for he wrote in his diary in 1843: "The Miss (Charlotte) Cushman who acted Lady Macbeth interested me much. She has to learn her art, but she showed mind and sympathy with me.--a novelty so refreshing to me on the stage." How much he was impressed appears from a later entry statong that at a subsequent engagement he made a special request of Miss Cushman to act with him.
MEMORABILIA OF CHARLOTTE CUSHMAN.
A Boston writer notices that Charlotte Cushman, when playing the National Theatre many years ago in the "Lady of Lyons," was interrupted by insolent addresses from the gallery. She was acting Claude to the Pauline of Miss Fanny Wallack; and, though excessively annoyed, she did not for a moment forget the proprieties of her part. but gracefully extended her hand to Pauline and took her from the stage. Then returning she said passionately to the audience. "I will NOT stand here and be insulted. Either order must be maintained, or the play must stop." The play didn't stop. The following extract from a private letter of Miss Cushman to a friend in New York is sent by Mary Mapas Dodge to the New York Evening Post with the idea, as she says, that its publication may tend to correct the prevalent impression that actors are necessarily lacking religious feeling:
Dear, I am better; there is no question that I am coming through my dreadful slough. The way has been long and dark, but at last a ray of sunshine brightens everything, and, in spite of self-pity at getting no sleep, I am not the wreck you might imagine from my manner of expressing myself. If you could look at me, as I wish from my heart you could, for my pleasure, you would say, "She has been pretending."
. . . I believe now that I am going to get well! And then--and then--what shall I do to show my love and gratitude to the dear God who has raised me up from death--and what has been mortal ailment before ever since the foundation of the world? What way shall I live? What shall I do? Perhaps read again, who knows?
The Siddons was even more devont in her later years than Miss Cushman.Still another item concerning Miss Cushman may be given in this place. The New York Nation, which assumes to be a high critical authority. says. in a notice of her death, that her success was due rather to industry than to genius, "and her style was too melodramatic for the best playing of the great Shakspearian parts [sic]." If there is any meaning in this judgment we have failed to discover it. The Nation condescends, however, to admit that there is absolutely no one to take her place. Macready was evidently of a different opinion from the critic of the Nation. for he wrote in his diary in 1843: "The Miss (Charlotte) Cushman who acted Lady Macbeth interested me much. She has to learn her art, but she showed mind and sympathy with me.--a novelty so refreshing to me on the stage." How much he was impressed appears from a later entry statong that at a subsequent engagement he made a special request of Miss Cushman to act with him.
Location
Chicago, IL, US
Geocode (Latitude)
41.8755616
Geocode (Longitude)
-87.6244212
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Geolocation
Collection
Citation
“"Memorabilia of Charlotte Cushman," Chicago Daily Tribune, Feb 27, 1876,” Archival Gossip Collection, accessed April 19, 2024, https://archivalgossip.com/collection/items/show/661.