The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-11-07

.''.'s'ss'-' sss.. Mr.. Il. Il. Anes
Wells.... .,.....,..,.,... Mr.. g. II. Polsor
sophia Blossom. Miss Nellie Campbell
Mrs. Wells. Miss Mary kilpacl
cooper. ............ Mrs. a. Is. Tapping
Dorothy Blossom. m.........M MrsS Kenda
Mr. and Mrs. Kendall and their Eng.
lish company were welcomed back by
representative audience OF Provi-
dence folk at the Providence opera
house last evening.
The bill, which will be repeated this
and tomorrow evenings and tomorrow
afternoon. was an entirely new three
act comedy entitled "rhe Elder Miss
Blossom"
The new comedy proved delightful.
partly on it's own account and very
largely. of course. because OF the for
tune OF it's presentation by the Ken
dals. for whom IL was probably writ
ten expressly.
The Kendals are unique in stage
couples.
Each has pronounced inviduality
which is I'm evidence even when their
art is exhibited I'm plays that are the
common property OF stars and leading
people generally.
The kendals and their new piece are
~ hAiAilN anu ndUDllN illAfu one 10 lilt
other II is no reflection on their capa-
biliues as demonstrated in plays that
Others do TO remark that they have
never appeared TO better advantage
than in The Elder Miss Blossom, g"
which. also. IL il unlikely anybody else
could do quite so wen.
Simplicity of method, repOse and a
pervading naturalness are the Ken
dals' trump cards. Mrs. kendals chief
charm is voice that suggests crack
ling ice in a long cool drink on a hot
summer day. il is 50 crisply soothing
and sympathetic. MIR. Kendals forte
Is manliness. not the mock heroic
manifestation. but a straightforward.
restrained. nineteenth century sorL \
play for Mrs. Kendall must have some
one for hereto pet in II. Her hands.
like her voice. are winsome and must
be given a chance 10 do some petting
II they are TO be displayed TO their best
advartage. Mr.. Kendall at his best
must be provided with opportunity -
exhibit intelligent laundering on oc-
casion. For both. the element OF good
breeding must be strongly in evidence
in whatever parts they essay.
All these requirements and others
that are more subtle The Elder Miss
Blossom fulills. So the Kendas be-
ing fitted to n nicely their performance
is most finished and altogether capti-
- -I-ttt+4++=--+-+i47rDs ~ IL : safe To call The
dramatic work Il is above the ordinary
in conception and construction and the
kendals are unreSerVedly and unre-
strairedly at home in it.
Andrew Quick. who is same sort Of
an explorer. meets the elder Miss Bios
som and her niece on a social occasion,
devC,;es his evening TO the latter.
dances with her. falls i'm love with her
and, being compelled 10 take his de-
parture at once for some far away
place proposes marriage 10 her by let
ter. He gets an acCeptance by post
at a distant point on his journey Be
cause n handkerchief purloined from
the young girl is marked wiCh the name
Dolly he assumes that that is her name
and addresses her accordingly But
the niece is Sophia. Dorothy Is the eld-
er Miss Blossom and So Quick has pro-
posed to, and has been accepted by the
aunt instead of the niece
This incident and the exchange Of
vows by post tranSpires three years
before the beginning Of the play. the
first act If which brings Quick back to
England 10 claim his bride
To Sophia Blossom. whom first he
meets the situation is disclosed with
farcical embarrassment TO both parties
but also with a recognition OF the seri-
Gus plight in which the elder Miss
Blossom will be placed when the mis-
take becomes known to her. Quick in
deed has no recollection at all OF the
elder Miss Blossom and the pathetic
part of the comedy develops when the
disclosure is made and Quick under
takes to withdraw from the compact.
In accomplishing this. however. Quick
begins To feel a somewhat more sub
stantial affection than the fancy for
the Younger girl developed I'm him, tn,
complications are Strengthened out
courtship begins along new lines and
all ends happily.
Other incidents and other people arc
skilfully brought into the main theme
and what appears at the outset To be
q formidable and distressingly farcial
idea is delicatelv worked out 10 furnish
comedy ~ much refinement anI
beauty.
Two elaborate attractive lnteri- |
ors arc the scenery for the three acts