New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-15

MR.. AND MRS. kendall.

The last nights OF the season Of Mr. and Mrs Kendall
at Pamers Theatre, are passing ana II may DC long
before this public again has the opportunity OF seeing
their brilliant and altogether satisfying ana delight
n representations To say that such actors are rare
is but family TO indicate their worth In the realm
Of light comedy Mr.. and Mrs. Kendall are unique and
we'll nigh Incompatible. The opportunity OF seeing
cem accordingly, Is one that ought not to be neg
| ectcd The spectator who sees them In either OF
hc plays that have been announced for the closing
week will he glad Of his choice. The play OF Kah-
crime Ksvanagh" which given last night for the
first time here-and which will be repeated on Wednes
day afternoonis not superior to It's mates, but In
some ways 1t is of characteristic and exceptional In.
terest. 1t certainly to show Mrs. Kendall In q
positively new light. Katherine Kavanagh was Q
young woman who, for some reason not clearly as
signed, became decoy in gambling house at Brus-
sells. There she drugged young English customer.
Reginald Hawley, and robbed him Of $4,000. Then
she made her way to England, and presently married
a Norfolk baronet with whom she lived in happiness
for twelve years.
Murder Will out however and Crimes like curses.
come home to roost. At the end OF twelve years
Reginald Hawley introduced into her home, as
guest, and the two recognized each other and Haw-
ley thereupOn announced his intention to take ven
upon her by exposing her vicious past. Iaw-
ley, however, when youth at school, had cruelty
maltreated and crippled NOEL Brnillaw, and in this
same house he was confronted with his vicm-who
declared nim forgiven, but whose forgiveness Hawley
refused to accept until, by sacrifice, he should have
earned It. Noe Briniaw was gratefully and az.
fectioantey devoted TO Katherine Kavanaghformerly
Mrs. Dudleigh-and the sacrifice that he asked OF
lawley the REIMBURSEMENT Of bis purpose Of re-
vengc. That sacrifice lIawley eventually made. The
interviews between the two men were, necessarily, OF
a painful character. Indeed. the settlement of this
entangled condition OF circumstance attended
with pain and passion all along Its course. The
observer OF 1t who should want moral might perhaps
one in the ancient doctrine that the ministry Of
is to purify and strengthen.
situation rather than moral however, seems TO have
been the aim OF the dramatsts MRS. Oscar Berngsr
and Clio Graves. and situation seems to have been
sought OF any price whether OF probability or char.
acter. Katherine kavanagh Is strongly drawn and In
tie lines Of truth. woman, naturally good may
commit grave faults, and even cSimes. and subse-
quenty atone for them and live life Of virtue. There
Is nothing very novel in that proposition MIS-. KendA
embodied strong nature with superb power, and
aroused intense interest and expectancy by her init.
motion Of the dread that was always present In tho
suffering woman's heart. With the character Of
IIawley, on the other hand. II impossible to SYM
pathize Whenever he not vndictve he was COM
m0nplace and whenever he vindctive he was de-
testablc. No can be admired who triumphs
a wOnan-cspecally when he tTiumphs through his
knowledge Of her sin. Mr.. Kendall embodied this
hard, implacable essentially common type Of man
with that perfect accuracy which marks all his assimp
tonS of character and with the and grace Of abb
sOlute Identification.
A performance Of exceptional ability given by
Mr. J. T.. Dodson, Drinnaw, the crippled painter.
The condition Of this character is that OF life which
has been blighted. but which has risen 10 subimity
through the operation Of the divine spirit OF forgive
ness and through patient endurance u hopeless love
a. well ply steal hardship unjusty and cruelty en-
tailed There IS an obvious drift In the piece toward
the old uncndnc task Of lustfying the ways Of Fate
and proving, with Pope, that whatever rs is right. u
Is the dramatic rather than the ethical element that
cOnquers a play. Mrs. Kendall dis animated very
finely between the hard. de perate woman Of the first
act and the cOntrte sufferer Of the last.