Daily Los Angeles herald., 1882-06-22
Hazel Kirke.

The Madison Square Theatre Compa-
ny gave their first performance of Hazel
kirke last night at Turnverein Hall to
good audience. This company are ex-
ponents Of the modern American school
of acting, which does not "tear a pas
sion to tatters," but gives evidence by
smouldering embers of the fire that
burns within. 1t is strong company,
one in which the subordinate parts are
not left to Sticks" but filled by emf
nently competent actors. The Barney
O'Flynn" of Mr. Cahill and "Clara" of
Miss Dudley are striking illustrations of
this.
"Hazel Kirke" is undoubtedly q
strong play, and in many of its scenes
and situations the chords of the human
heart are touched by master hand; and
the lump in the throat and the moisture
in the eye prove that simplicity in art is
strength, and that ga simple story of
love" awaken the deepest interest in
the human breast in every cline and
country. A stern fathers unfaltering
fealty to promise, a mothers unfalter-
ing pride, and two hearts that love one
another, are the elements OF which the
play is wrought. 1t is particularly
strong in situation, and it has been said
almost everywhere where Hazel
Kirke" has been produced that it bears
considerable resemblance to the evil
low Copse." "Dunstan Kirke" re-
minds forcibly of "Luke Fielding" in
the latter play, but here the similitude,
to our mind, ceases.
Hazel Kirke," the heroine, was
ably portrayed by Miss Ada Gilman, the
scene with the mother in the first act,
and with "Lady Travers in the second,
being particularly well done. Her petite
figure fits well the part she takes. Miss
Virgo Emily, as "Dolly Dutton, by her
archness and vivacity, made great sue
cess of the character. Mr.. Wheatleigh
has an enviable reputation that has
long been national, and, to our mind, is
the best Danny Mann in the
Colleen Bawn that there is
on the American stage. ''Dunstan
Kirke," in his hards, was rendered in a
mastery manner. Miss Davenport as
"Mercy Kirke," the loving wife and
mother, threw into her rendition all the
dignity and tenderness that the charac-
ter demanded and preserved the golden
mean that neither overdoes nor leaves
undone 1t was good companion pic
ture to Mr.. Whsatleigh's '' Dunstan
Kirke." Miss Kate Denim Wilson is so
good an actress and does so well the
little she has to do as LADY Travers, :"
that we were sorry not to have seen
more of her Mr.. Roberts as Pittacus
Green" by his eccentricities and oddi-
| ties, furnished much of the light that
relieved the shade of the play. Mr..
Holden as Aaron Rodney" was the
quiet, dignified heroic, self-sacrificing
man that the occasion demanded. But
to award praise where duo would be
simply to go through the entire cast of
characters; for, as we have already
stated, every part, no matter how sui
ordinate, is entrusted to competent
hands.
The appropriate new scenery contrib
uted much to the success of the play.
Our community is to be congratulated
upon the fact that it now has so many
opportunities presented it to see the
most celebrated modern plays performed
by metropolitan companies. Let us
show that we appreciate these opportu-
mites by rewarding with crowded houses
those who so ably provide for eur
amusement.
''Hazel Kirke" will be repeated to-
night.