The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-04
SOUTH BROAD STREET THEXTRE-"AN IRON
WILL"

Marie Martoaq the miilors Gabrielle du saudi
Emily Carringord. Lady Travers :Cecile Rush
D"nsion Kirke an old miller " coaidock
Aaron Rodney. = true heart Frank Weston
Ptcus Green hunter of heroes Thomas Whiffen
Barney OFlynn. Arhur's valet. Edward Coleman
"An Iron WILL" fve-act comedy drama. written
by Mr.. Steele Mackaye. presented last night to
metropolitan audience for the first time. The visit
of Mr. Mackayes company is said to be merely to fill
the interval before the completion Of his theatre in
New York. The period is the present and the
Lancashire The story, Invested of all counterpart.
deals with q strong-minded old Lancashire miller
who, under large pecuniary obligations to q neigh
boring squire has been induced by the latter to
sent to the settlement Of the debt by the marriage
Of his young daughter. Hazel. Although thirty
years the junior of the squire she is satisf ed
until the appearance of young lord. who.
saved from drowning. is nursed to life in the
millers family. Naturally. they fall desperately in
love. and the squire. learning the fact. releases
Hazel, joining the lovers hands. The miller is OBJ
durate. and banishes his daughter for breaking her
word. United by Scotch marriage. the couple
living in retirement when they are visited by the
lords mother. Lady Travers. acting informa-
ton that has to her knowledge. tells the
bride that she has been illegally married. the
English frontier not having been crossed. The young
girl, believing that her husband has deceived her,
deserts her new home. The supposed disgrace has
been communicated to the miller and fever which
has followed has rendered him blind but he il as
unforgivlng before and refuses asylum to his
daughter. The strength Of his "iron Will in that
instance would seem to be derived from renewed
"duns" by the squire for the money owed him.
The daughter. repulsed by her parent throws her
communicated to him gives rise to really great
piece of character acting. Blind as he. is
and helpless his ''iron will is broken and the
citement utterly prostrates him. The girl is saved.
of course, and the lord and she reunited The
falsty of the story about the illegal marriage is
exhibited and--curtain. In such brief synopsis
several cleverly arranged cmaxes. both OF situation
and in language, cannot even be referred to- The
weakness of the play as a literary production is the
comic element which has been introduced into it.
evidently for the sake OF tho little applause that
may possibly be gained by 1t.
The play Of IAN Iron Will" is. however, q very
strong one in its melodramatc elements. The great
lor who appeared to great advan in the interview
with Lady Travers ut the end OF the third act.
The climax OF that scene. which is of the Camille
order, was reached by graceful degrees without
passion until the crucial test OF the actress
in the inquiry "Can this be trueY' But Miss
Elsler surnounted the difficulty with the ease and
precision with which prima donna would have
tried on the high c. Throughout the play the
leading lady showed herself equally capable We'll
come Mr. Whitiens appearance seemed to be to tho
audience the puns of r. Green execrabe and the
contrast between the frivolity of the man and the
stern manner assumed toward the young lord was.
from dramatic point of view ridiculous. Mr..
Coudock as the old miller ranted ana roared like
Sir ToDey Belch Inc motive TOT the miller dls.
play of his ''ron will" is contemplate that Mr..
Coudocks efforts to render it attractive were a
failure Hate bitter il not born of
inadequ ate, and it were impossible In any event
that il should exist after the had passed away
Very little need be said of Mr.. Mackayes acting in
this piece. His Lord Travcrs is only refiDed version
the hero of Won at Last" The Dclsarte theory is
seen at it's best doubt but even the natural inn
pulse of actor in the heat of play is often pref
cradle to performance by tho rule of three. OF
Mr.. Mackayo's selfpossesson and Evolutionary
powers there can be no question, but his share in
the success of 'An Iron Will can add nothing to
his stature.
word is due TO the stage setting OF the third act
The play drew good house, and the audience ire
quently expressed its approval.