The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-08-07
TWO BRIGHT STARS.
Mrs. Potter and Kyrle Bellew at
the Seattle Theater.
4 SPLENDID PERFORMANCE.
An Enthusiastfs Audience Well Pleased
--srn Society TO BE Givsn
This Evening".

The Seattle thestsr last evening pre-
ssntsd brilliant array Of wealth, beauty
and fashion, gathered from every select
quarter OF the city 20 do homage 70 the
talented stars Of the occasion, Mrs. Cora
n. Potter and Mr.. Kyyis BELIEF. in the
very strong and pathetic hve-act drams
entitled. ssTho Ironmaster." Sotwith-
s.anding that 40 many society peo-
pic ars away summering In camps
and on the beach, the handsome
theater was well filed With the elite and
the regular hrst-nightsfs, rich toilets and
full evening suits being specially promIn-
ent IN every one Of the four lower boxes
In other words, IL Was regular society
night, and Everybody was there" with
his uncies, bis aunss and bis cousins. The
swell tone given 10 the audience by 50 much
extra dressing did not affect the enthusi-
esm Of the audience. as was evidenced by
the hearty reception given Mrs Potter
and Mr.. BeIlew on their respective hrsf
entrances. The recognition given TO each
had the true ring OF genninensss about 10
and ut once placed thssetwo gifted stars
In thorough accord with their audience
while the close Of every oneDof the I'M
tensely powerful acts was the sig
nal for q spontaneous outburst Of
applause that was complimentary both TO
the talented actors and 10 the quick intel
ligence Of the well pleased audience. Cur
tain calls were i'm order eli the evening"
and both responded graciously, and the
general comments overheard at the close
OF the performance--always the truest
criticism If the play and players--wsre Of
a character 20 leave no doubt that Mrs.
Potter. by her forcsble and subdued
dramatic style, aud Mr.. Bellew, By his
manly eli aracter and wonderfully sympa-
thetic voice, charmed everybody present,
and that both had made . well deserved
s.hIt." -
ssIhe Ironmaster" deals With two char
sctsrs of 4 high social order Of education
and intelligence, possessing marked char
acteYistics that demand great dramatic
force and ability. Mrs. Potter as Claire
de fseanlieu was splendid embodiment
of the proud. naughty beauty. infiexible
In spirit where pride was in question. but
finally conquered through the indomita-
bic will of n superior and nobler
mind. The character affords Mrs. Potter
a good opportunity for the display of q
nature full of intense dramatic fire. but
which she cleverly concealed in the more
ordinary passages, reserying her forces for
the more striking effects, we'll worked up
at the close of each act. The gem OF the
evening was her scene at the close
Of the third act, where she
orders from her home the woman who had
embittered her life. Her sudden transition
from tone Of suppiication to one OF alb
solute command was a masterstroks that
captured the house and secured for the ht-
tie lady well-sarned recall.
Mr.. KyrIe Bellew has many excellent
qualities 10 make him q prime favorite.
He Is handsome, with clear cut features,
denoting strength OF character. His voice
is his fortune. being rich. musical and
exceedingly sympathetic. His many
years of experience has made him easy
and natural, and his PHILIPPE
Derbisy was strong representation
that stood equally A. prominent as did the
character OF Claire. The two fully shared
the honors OF the evening. 4
The supporting company is good. Among
the most talented Of these is Minnie
Monk, whose work is always smooth cand
who may be said TO be good in every cast
Miss redita Hudspeth was charming as
Snxanna, and Mr.. Guy NICHOLS gave a
good representation OF the aristoerat,
Baron lie Prefont.
BY the way. IL is not generally known
that Miss Hudspeth and Mr.. Nichols
were the lady and gentleman who at
tended DIR. WaIlaee's church the night he
made his attack on Mrs. Potter and Mr..
Beliew. and whom be claims to- have
pointed ont TO his audience as Mrs. Potter
and MIR. nsllew. q
John Ward is good light come
dian and afforded the humoF OF
the evening In the character 0of NJ.
Moulinet. Frank Roileston hs Mar
quis dc Beanlieu, showed marked im-
provement in his acting as compared
with his work when he attempted TO play
leads al Cordray's year ago. Miss Isle
Leigh made forcihle Athenias Moulinet.
and proved good foi1 for the dramatic
work Of Mrs. Potter.
Mrs. Potter will appear tonight In Alex
snder Dumas great play. "ln Society" be.
ing dramatization of his book, Fran
eillion."