New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-14
THE DRAMA.
prr1rpN an Mp Ann MRS KENDAL.

RETURN OF MIR. AND MRS. kendall.
Mrvsnd Mrs Kendall made their remittance upon
ne New.York stage last night at Planners tneaIro'
acting in 1fr. Pinero's admirable comedy OF Inc
weaker Sex" Of the strongest ana most touSns
rsys of this period; play. indeed which, but for us
,nharuonious farcical humor, would be perfect IL
uas IN this piece that Mr.. and Mrs kenda began
,be,r engagement at the Fifth Avenue Theatre. on
T.srusry 49, 1890 and their success in it, With REFER
ence TO the question Of acting was brilliant now as
formerly Mrs. Kendall imPersonates Lady Vvash' an"
Mr. Kendall impersorates IRA Lee, otherwise known as
pbIlip Lister. The audience, last night was numer-
ons and the welcome accorded TO Mr. and Mrs kenoaI
Gas such rs friends are reoiced both to give and 10
receive.
Mr. Pinero's purpose in this comedy was, per
hans to show that the weaker sex Is realiy One
tronrer-for there is no power greater than that OF
The affections 70 control rankind, and the power OF
the affections is welded by woman. But, whatever
was his purpose, be has herein accomplished re-
Variable portrayal Of woman's complex nature, IN
most ingenious and romantic story OF Dve ana loss
The girl whose caprloous conduct has alena'ea nor
lover 50 that he becomes stranger to her ana q
wanderer in foreign lands, meets with him again "hen
IN mature life, and finds him the avowed suiior iol
,ep daughters hand-she, meanwhile, having married
and become a mother and a widow 1t Is TO provide
this situation that the comedy was constructed, ana
this purpose has been accomplished with fehclteus
skill The meeting between Philip Lister ana Lazy
Vivash the revival the old love which has only been
buried. but has never died in their hearts,
the final separation which is now en1olneo ana
enforced between them, and the implication OF tne
Young heart Of sylvia in their strange web OF almost
tragic destiny constitute a dramatic picture ana
climax Of the most vital order and it is one that can
not be viewed without emotion by any observer VINO
appreciates the reality Of the pathetic facts OF human
life The incident Of Philips finding of the bracelet
which he had given, years before, TO the woman ne
loved and the use OF this to bring them once more
together are denotemens Of dramatic genius, ana the
ADMIRATION Of Lady Yivssh to her daughter when she
sees that the whole truth is known, Is one OF the
nobest bursts true feeling that have been provided
In the contemporary drama.
Mrs. Kendall is at her best in the character OF Lady
yivash. The way in which she allows long-chershed
love to express itself In her face, voice. demeanor IN
her entire personality is wonderfully subtle and is i
of enchantlnent The cOexisence Of maternal affection
with this elemental. absorbing love Is also nsnested
I'm spontaneous conformity to nature ana with gehte
irresistible grace In the closing scene her passion
l. entirely noble that she leaves In the memory an
Impressive image of the majesty OF self sac1hce com
hled with a most ennoblng sense OF that spiritual
q. exatation which tIpnscends all human oesife LIE
character OF Philip Lister Is one that evokes the me
discretion the true, sweet feeling and the 1auItess
taste for which Dir KendarS acting has so OFTEN ana 81
Justly been admired.