Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-01-06
THE DRAMA.

Kate Cl.xton in .. Tho Double M.rri.rs.,
There have been during the present sea-
son few such large and elegant audiences
gathered in Fulton hall as that which
assembled there last evening to see Miss
Kate ClaxtOn play 1.-The Double Mar
riase." The artistic life of this actress has
so completely merged into the character of
the blind girl Of the 1.-Two Orphans that
she all unconsciously invests the part OF
Josephine, the heroine Of last nights per-
fOrmancc, with many of the attributes that
have given the former creation much
Of the strength and power that it possesses
in her hands. She does not sue
ceed in burying her identity in
this lately assumed role, though
her efforts to do so frequently result in
mannerism and voice and style of speak
ing that are commonplace, unnatural and
exasperating, while at other times the
spectator requires no vivid imagination to
fancy lie is looking at and listening to
the blind heroine of D'Ennery's touch
ing tale liz whom a transformation has
been wrought. and the scene of
action been shifted to 4 sphere more
attractive in its surroundings though of
scarcely less misery. In the passages call
ing for a play of the passions and reaching
down into the deeper emotions and sens-
biities, Miss ClaxtOn rises to the demands
of the situation and affords us spectacle
Of fine acting, marked by the intensity of
feeling that is the prominent characteristic
OF her art and iii which for the time being
all thought of the 1.-TWO Orphans" or of
anything else outside of the immediate
business on hand is banished from the
mind of the spectator, though in
deed he is not long permitted
to rest i'll this security from
the apparition of the blind Lomse, who.
like Banquo, will not down at the bidding
but forces her way upon the attention of
the audience with 4 pertinacity that seems
to indicate she is not aware how unwelcome
an intruder she is. 1t is common fault
among good actors and one that is appar-
emily very difficult to overcome. Miss
CaXtOn has given over her own indiviiu-
ality to the character in which she achiev-
cd her first and greatest triumph, and it
will require patient work OH her part to
regain it sufficiently to concentrate upon
any other role the fine dramatic power
which she undoubtedly possesses
The play of The Double Marriage" is
so completely modelled on the French
school OF modern drama that even the
familiar name Of Charles Reade, who
stands sponsor for the work, is scarcely
sufficient to Anglicize it, and it runs more
like close translation from some French
author than the dramatizatiOn of an Eng
lshman. The first act is rather slow,
until the final scene gives Il good charac-
terizatiOn of the self-made soldier of Ma
poleons army and unfolds the plot with a
dramatic climax The second act is
quicker in movement, and the third is
quite thrillin. and works freely upon the
sympathies of the audience, perhaps the
most conspicuous figure in this phase of
the play, and certainly the one who re-
ceiveS the greatest share OF attention on
the stage and OFF of it as well, being the
live baby introduced in the closing scene,
which terminates in an effective tablcau, in
which the devoted sister assumes
the shame to save the honor of
her house. The audience gave way to
burst of applause as the curtain fell.
which was responded to by the appear
ance of the baby before the curtain handled
in the nurses arms. The fourth act is
characterized by military dash and bril-
liancy, and in the fifth and last act cul-
mil ha inf hnf h,s h.n
since the first, and the play terminates in
the most approved and satisfactory fash.
ion.
The real hero of the play is Cdptaia Ray
nal, but, unfortunately for the perfect de-
velOpment of the character, Mr.. Fyf1e,
the gentleman who assumed, it was evil
IDENTIFY new to the part, and, not being up
in his lines, the audience was kept on the
ragged edged of uncertainty and fear lest
he was going to break down altogether;
he is, however, good actor, and with n
little study will be able to give very sat
rendition of the role. Mr.. Ste
venson gave capital representation of the
character of Emile Dujardin his acting is
marked by easy grace and perfect self-pos-
session. A large share of the honOrs fell
to Miss Margaret Cone, who, as Rose, was
afforded ample opportunity for the display
of her charming vivacity, and the exercise
of the histriOnic ability which have won
extended recognition. The minor charac-
ters were well sustained, the acting of
Misses Batcheldcr and Pike being de-
serving of special mention.