Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-17

BIJoU THEArER. ''The Still Alarm 81
GRAND OPERA HOUSE. ''The Pay Train
| DuQuEsNE THEATER. R..........-............ Nfobe'
! ALVIN THEATER. ............ 'Dr. Bill
| HARRIS THEATER. zone of the Finest
| WILLIAMS ACADEMY. MY............Hyde's Company
| WORLDS SMUsEUM-THEATER.. .Curiosities
DAVIS MUsEUM-THEATER.. .Curiositiei
The above are the theatrical attractions
| for this week.
The farewell visit of the Kendals to this city
| Will be long remembered here with pleasure.
The Kendals themselves have the best reason
In their pocketbooks, at least, to think
kindly of us also. Probably, most probably,
| a journey across the ocean will have to be
taken by those of US who wish to see these
delightful actors again. do not think as
some do, that the Kendals have worn out
their welcome in this country. They are of
| the kind that improve immensely upon ac-
| qualntance, and simply do not believe in
the sincerity of the blase critics who say that
| the kendals make them weary with their
sameness in all roles. or course if we had
them always we might desire a change, but
candldiy it must be conceded that the
variety in their performances during the
past week is as conspicuous as any other
| quality, and the range of Mrs. Kendall at all
| events is wider than any other English
| speaking actress I know. They could de-
| peno upon getting very hearty welcome in
! f1ttsburg at any time, and the absence of
the superb creatures who cannot admire art
after they have found out that it has certain
| salient characteristics which cannot change
| would not affect the box office receipts by
more than enough to buy the hypercritica1
remnant seats for the reigning farce comedy.
The plays in the repertoire of the Ken
dals are chiefly of the school that is rapidly
becoming ancient. "Still Waters Run Deep"
and Impulse" are both entertaining speci-
mems of the comedy-dramas which the En-
glish public demanded and English dramat-
lists supplied for q quarter of q century or
more, but they are not great plays. Mr..
Kendal's Captain Crichton in the latter play is
one of his funniest creations and an admira-
BILE bit of art. In neither, however, is Mrs
kendall cast so happily as in 1.-THE Scrap of
Paper" 1t is as Susan Hartley indeed, that
fancy Mrs Kendall is at her best. The emo
role are those which are most becoming to
her, and especially full scope does
it afford her for the exhibition
of her command of sarcasm, of gentle rail-
versation. Mrs Kendall is first of all
comedienne. and if fault is to be found with
her work it is when she leaves her vantage
ground of comedy for the emotional and
tragic. In katharine Kavanagh" Mrs Ken
dal of course is an artist still, but did not
find her attempt at pathos affecting, and
! her loftiest flights of passion lacked the sim
cerity OF her work in lighter moods. I
think sunlight and laughter with a few
summer clouds and April showers for con-
trast, are Mrs. Kendal's element. In her
own field, considering at once her person
ality and the completeness of her school
ing, sine has no equal among English-speak-
ing women to-day, in my opinion.
Mr.. Kendall is not SO great an artist, but
he is superior to nine-tenths of the men who
ir1f ftor I, faI he
during the last week. Just think over the
actors we have who can play gentlemanly
comedy, and you will note with pain how few
there are who, like Mr.. Kendall, never for
get to be gentlemen nor fail to be comic.
It must be remembered that Mr.. Kendall has
chosen to limit his field in order, apparently,
to permit his wife to enjoy greater promi-
nence. 1 think Mr.. Kendall is, like his
spouse at his best as q comedian, although
his manliness is so marked and sympathetic
that he carries heroic scenes with ease, and
charms men and women alike-a very rare
faculty. His art is not the perfect ana pol
ished thing that his wife's is. At times he is
slovenly and careless about what may seem
trifles, but which accumulate into distinct
blemish upon his performance. An ex-
ample in point: When he was playing Colonel
Blake in ga Scrap of Paper" in the last act
for two or three minutes Mr.. Kendall appar-
emily forgot what he was playing and lapsed
into the very different though amazingly
funny character of Captain Crichton, which
he had played the night before in I'm
pulse" The change was unmistakable. He
walked with the cavalry soldiers roll and
peculiar hitching of the trousers, and began
to "Haw! hawp' in approved dandy style
just as he did as Captain Crichton He re-
membered himself in a minute, and doubt
less only those who had seen Mr.. Kendall as
Captain C1ichton knew that he had been nap
ping. Only little thing, you'll say-yes,
but it is the looking after these little things
that makes great artist.
Mr. Dodson is an actor who is bound to
make big name for himself one of these
days. His old men in the Kendall repertoire
were all distinct types, and all studies i'll the
best way of humanity. He is young man,
and that he has abundant talent in other
directions besides the persoration of senil-
in katharine kavanagh" is proof enough
The rest of the Kendall company shows what
can be done by hard drilling, for the ma
terial is hardly anywhere above mediocrity.
Plays may come and plays may 90, but
''The Still Alarm" which comes to the Bijou
tomorrow night, like Tennyson's Brook,
seems destined to go on forever. Each visit
to this city finds this play, with its sensa-
tional episode OF real fire engine and real
horses as attractive as ever. The story
deals with topics and events of everyday
life in any community. 1t gives an insight
to the way the gallant fireman passes his
life and performs his duties in a great city
The scenic effects are thrilling, situations
are impressive; and in these days, when
there is demand for realism and natural
ness on the stage, it is safe to say that never
has there been anything presented so mar
velously real. People like the stirring ac-
tion of melodrama. 1t is like an exciting
novel, which holds the attention from be-
oi, nip To MI
An interesting love story; the triumph of
right over wrong, and an insight intO the
home of the gallant fireman, showing him
both in repose and on duty, are reasons for
the success of the pay,as well as the reslistic
features. 1t is well that such scenes should
be so well done as to be popular. Thew en-
courage a healthy, hearty spirit; they call
attention to the excellent work and CIiscf-
pline of brave set of fellows, and whether
the scene be set in New York or London, it
is an admirable picture of avigorous phase
of mans duty. The company this'season is
said to be by far the best that Manager
Arthur has ever brought here.
A sensational play at popular prices is
the programme at the Grand Opera House
this week, especial attention being called to
the change in prices, as specified in the ad-
vertising columns Of this paper. "The Pay
Train" is called q comedy-drama, but a
glance at its contents shows that melo-
drama would be better name. The
story is complicated and long
one, too long to tell here, but
it appears to be sharply dramatic and stir
ring enough to suit anyone. Bessie Burton
is the heroine, and it is around her that the
interest of the story centers. She is con-
stantly in perils of all sorts, and as Miss
Florence Bindley plays the part it is said to
be genuinely winning An idea of the play
can be gained from the following summary \
of the most effective acts:
Jack Breet being out OF funds determines
to rob the pay station, which he attempts,