The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-10-27
SOME FRESH THEATRICALS.
EARNEST EFFORT NJ THE KENDALs
AND OPERA By AUDRAN.



eiyen under peculiar conditions last evening
Al tho Star Theatre. The Kendals had pre-
yiousy revived "stili Waters Run Deep" and
Home" so wretchedly. In all respects save
,herown agreeable acting. as to incur severe
condemnation by tho professional critics.
The casts and the whole manner OF the pro-
auctions had been astonlshingly cheap and
careless. Mr.. Kendall had appealed publicly
from tho verdict ofthe experts. rily attribut-
ing 10 them untruthfulness and malice. There
va, much curiosity. therefore. to see what
the Kcndals would do with The Ironma ster."
a drama requiring moro actors than either
NJ the maltrcatod pieces. and which had
been given with acceptability by last
seasons Kendall company. Would there
DO q bold continuance OF badness. or
would the Kendals endeavor to make amends
They took good counsel Of tho condemnation
Of their misconduct. md gave the very best
representation OF The Ironmaster" possible
with tho resources at their immediate COM
msnd. The mounting Of tho play. although
no. scrap Of new material was In II, showed o
careful selection from tho theatres storerooms
The evidences Of thorough rehearsal were
plentiful One excellent player. necessarily
an absentee from the previous casts. because
there had been no parts suitable for her. was
Cowsll. Ono who had contributed to
the fasco Of Homo" through unreadi-
ness, having teen assigned to the role
At short notice. demonstrated medi-
zero degree OF ability. This was Joseph
Came. There was more OF characterization
ing Of J. Z. Dodson. PainstakinE marked all
n.tsp Man mentcrs Of the compsy Which Wns
still weaker as u whole than either OF the weak
parties brought over BY the Kendals II former
with the stage. assemblagos commonly mn1e
in this city Nor was II Ia tho least like those
Which s to the London
The play Of The Ironmastor" is too familiar
for renewed eonsideration In critical way. 1t
Ohnet's novel; and it Is as good as any of them
and his poor and proud bride. from their iii:
Shown hpSii'N with dramatic eieetiveness s The
To,x like the tss hell
fs tanning Q, tho shre% The thsm ma does
pot appeal to American democratic tastes: as
manner. and its preternnturally solemn duel
ing oi the kendals in this piece was described
In THE Sun two years ago as follows:
Mrs KendaIs portrayal necessarily aged Crairs away
beyond the yoasatulhsss properly belonging TO The
%1sSy AND %s; s such could mot fully ep..se ,e..
r. H. csriS love: is;.r. Only ss.a sSsy, arc
1as vos tho hss
%. .mi.6i. indivduaiisy which had in!tedaeea her
~ III. most n n9' Il.
f Ksa, s vsd Th s.s truth tbs.
sS:ass iSi IN O.: rolls q her doing: we're
. Numerous p.;sases -. emotion Va. .se ms.s pal:
i.'s love Tor her hasband became convincing to her
:a s:ps .ns moved a.n
sn Y :..s than ,ss; had Seen
q f s s ss, s.sy
Gs The .nms Srsanl.Stion They arg no. party com
~ sS they were in command Of sssnsssss tbs
Both Mr.. and Mrs. Kendall seemed possessed
creased skill or strength. NJ. Kendall had
ssn Mssts s II o Ssm mSd
Ne Neither he nor she Is a great artist
prsiseWorthiy on this f tryips osss
3; . the Senas saS bees
he house Was iuil. and the MAs enterts Gi s
the o. yoans
leading LADY, q the company was once more
n object OF rldicule. and the demerits OF the
had quite as quick recognition
s the merits.
La CiEale'' al tho Garden Theatre.
A three-act comic opera. by Audrau. which
an for two seasons in Paris and is being giver
t present in London. was produced last even.
nc BY Lillian Russell's company at the Gar.
len Theatre.
The play is entitled La Cigale." and Is .
rec liberal transcription Of the old fable. IA
'ourmi ct la Cigale," the two little insects IN
his case. however. represented by two young
iris OF differing aims and tempernments. cor. |
esponding to those Of tho industrious ant and
hat gay grasshopper. who. after singing
through the simmer. bees shelter from winter
forms OF her more prudent cousin. Ii
La CGa!s 10 here country girl. who. fasci.
'ated by the glitter OF stage life. leaves he,
.uiet home. and Is made love to by Cheralier
ae Benheim. q young noble Of whom the
duchess OF Fayensberg is extremely fond.
Through the jealousy OF the Duchess
asrton 'La cigale)is made to believe Cheva-
Ter franz unfaithful to his vows, and In re.
.enge Marion denounces Dernheim and the
duchess before nil the court.
Touched by her sincerity Of feeling, tho
duchess tells Marion that In reality Chevalier
rans loves her only. and tho opera ends hap
ny with the marriage CT the hero and heroine.
inston and Franz
Although the plot is not deep or compll.
Ated one, thoro Is sufficient movement and |
vent to carry tho play entertainingly along, ,
nd to furnish somo extremely pretty situa-
ons. 4
Naturally Miss Russell Is the chief attraction
nd central point OF beauty where everything
a glowing mass Of light and color. She wears .
'stumes that arc marvels Of art. her action q
always graceful. though perhaps lacking I
'mewhat In repose and fraught with o super I
Guidance Of nervous energy: but she cer- !
Ah'y sings with neatness and precision
'at Is praiseworthy. whiio her voice Is pleas I
.. fresh. and strong.
az. Carl StreitTnan made the part ef Franz
~ be:nhcim distinctly disagreeable one:
neieas on tho contrary. It should by rights
!, Of equal mort with that OF the prlma donna
Is throaty voice and his painful facial ex-
esslon combined to lower tho hero's stand
y ~ the regard OF tho audience to q point I
Amy Tar below what It should have
The Duke tMr. Charles DUNCAN, was on the
antyary lEe bit OF acting. His costumes
w almost more gorgeous than any OF the |
,mmeh $ and when few more performances u
w nave softened Mr.. Dugan's well-cOnsld. +