Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-27
THE KENDALS,
The Ironmaster Great success-The U. s.
Mail Again Later On and Other
TIUJ,

The Ironmaster Great Success-The U. s.
Mail Again Later On and Other
Lighter Amusements.
So few actors in the real. as 1t is the highest
sense of the word, are to be found on our stage
to-day, that we are liable to forget what they
are. The Kendals will serve to remind us very
forcibly that the art of acting is not lost, and
that in them it has two of the most talented
and sincerely earnest exponents that the En-
gish stage has known.
Last night the Kendals made thoir first ap-
pearance here at the Bijou Theater in one Of
the numerous versions of George Ohnets
drama lie Maitre des Forges." This version
is by A. w. Pinero. and it is called .The Iron.
master" an unmeaning name, that does not
give the slightest clew to the intensity of the
drama. The story may be briefly condensed thus:
Claire de Bedupre, a rich French aristocrat
is engaged to marry the Dt, de Blignu but by
some chance, loses her fortune. With it. too,
she loses her lover. who at once asks the hand
OF rich parvenu. Then Claire, to avenge the
affront. accepts the offer of marriage of
Philippe Deybldy the Ironmaster, though she
cares nothing for him. On their wedding night
Claire reveals her lack of love TO Philippe,
and he IN anger. DEGREES that they shall live
apart. The action of the play then revolyes
about the gradual recognition by Claire of the
sterling excellence of her husband. The Due
de Btagny in the meanwhile marries the rich
mans daughter, who has a deep hatred for
Ctdoe, which she INDUCES by trying to COM
promise PhttLiDpe At last the efforts of the
full, and Claire orders her to leave the house.
Ihereupon the DUO challenges Philippe to
duel. Before the duel is fought Claire makes
confession OF the passionate love that has grown
In her breast for her husband. and tries
to induce him not to fight without success As
las resort she runs between the,combatants
as the word fire is given and receives the bullet
meant for her husband. The wound is slight,
enOuOh ha hue eHor md Fl,
together. and the play therefore ends pleas
antly. 1t is on the whole good play but not
as wei built in the concluding scenes as it
might be.
Mrs. Kendall as Claire gave a wonderful pic
ture OF the heroine's sorrow-torn SOUL That is
the truth; she barred the very soul of mis-
galaea t yee noble woman. striving to do right,
20 atone Tor crime. The quiet repose of Mrs.
henoal IN the subjective stages of the play
was as admirable as the dramatic force and in
tens.ty she lent to the situations requiring
In the brief time afforded for this notice; it
must suffice to say that Mrs Kendall conquered
her audience with her art, moving them to tears
ease In Mr. Mnsef Kendall yfh nepe aae fSscams
very attractive. goodIookiug. stout-hearted
gentlemen. worth half dozen of the average
duke, one would say without hesitation. Man
does are MIR. Kendars chief good qualities, at
least as revealed in this play. The rest of the
company Is not wonderful, but a very respecta-
pie, well-trained organization. The programme
did not make it clear who played the Duchesse
de Btt1nu, the villainess Of the piece, but who
ever she may be she made considerable use of
ner chances in the third act. and gave pretty
ciear-cut rendering of a powerful part in its
entirety. MIR. Barnes in a very small part was
OF course. an artist-as he always is.
Inc play was given a rich setting by the
BiJou management. Mrs. Kendars dresses
were also notable for their beauty. The audi
ence was very cordial and there were from two
to four recalls at the end of each act.