National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-03-11
ANIUSEN ENTS.

THE NATIoNAL--"THE FORGE MASTER"
Mrs. Ella Henderson's adaptation of Georges
Ohnet's popular novel under the title of
"Claire and the Forge Master" as presented
Mt the National theater last night, is one of
the strongest plays ever seen here. Although
the audience that assembled at its pre-
sentation was inclined to be cool at the
beginning, it soon melted under the influence
and, at the end of the third
act the principals were recalled.
The play is essentially French" and
the flavor of the novelist's work is preserved
throughout 1t appeals to popular taste and
excites interest. The story is realistic and
sympathetic. The characters introduced are
all natural and lifelike. The marriage of
the heroine to the Forge Master out Of pique,
and her subsequent relonting to the powerful
love Of her husband, the efforts of the Duke
and the Duchess to part them, and the happy
ending are like living through the story itself
Miss Maude Granger made her first appear
ance here as a star last night and, if appear
ance be considered q criterion the impression
she created was favorable one. The role of
the heroine is one that calls for an actress of
high emotional ability, and Miss Granger
gave an excellent portrayal of the suffering
wife. In the pathetic passages of the
play she displayed a finish of acting
artistcally realistic, while in the higher
parts her acting was remarkably good.
The scene at the end of the second act drew
upon the resources of her ability to their full
extent, and was most commercially enacted.
The Duchess of Miss May Brooklyn was ex-
cellently portrayed, the deep intrigues of that
character making pretty severe test Of her
powers, which it is only fair to say was fully
met. Miss Lizzie Mccall is always pleasing
actress, and the Baroness Savalle was in ex-
cellent hands. Miss Rotta Henson and Miss
Lizzie Du Roy, who completed the female
support, are both ladies of decided talent, and
their acting was excellent. George Searock
as the Forge Master excited deep interest by
his manly acting. He has rich, clear
voice, and his dramatic action was studied
and scholarly. Mr.. Charles Chappelle as the
Duke lacked finish, but otherwise satisfac-
torily filled the requirements Of the part.
Mr.. John Jack was seen to better advantage
in the comedy part than the character Of
Falstaff, in which he made his last appear
ance here, and he was given a genuine well
come. +. d. Tennehill, although young
man, is good actor. The rest of the cast
was fair.
FoRD's--" YOUNG MRS WINTHROP"
The compliment of house crowded to its
utmost capacity was offered last night al
Ford's opera house to the Madison Square
company now rendering "Young Mrs. Win
throp" at that thester The compliment was
deserved, both by the play and the actors
The former is full of the elements of popu
larity, presenting with artistic finish botf
humor and pathos, with situations dramat
ically intense and opportunity for the display
of characterization. The latter was, as whole
equal in artistic excellence to tho rendering
of the company that occupied the stage the
week before, although there were individual
points of inferiority and times when the acto
WAS not equal to himself. The play is Il mod
ern society drama, Husband and wife grad
ually drift apart, each growing colder Will
each burns with pain to restore the old con
dition Of affairs. The child that each on
loves dies, and at last over its gray'
tho artifcialities of life disappear ant
tho old lovo burns up in brillian
fame over the grave Of the child. The sub
ject is dramatic, and tho principal characters
are afforded ample opportunity to display Al
intensity Of portraitures that thorough
o carried tho house, Mr., y. j. Buckley d
, Douglas Winthrop the husband, Miss Fanni