The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-23
ADJUSTMENTS.


Absence may, and very possibly does
make the heart grow fonder in love affairs
but Mr.. and Mrs. Kendall have learned
that the rule fails when applied to actors
and public. There was a very good audi
ence at English's last night. unusually
good, indeed, when one considers how
theater-Soers of indianapolis have been
turning the cold shoulder of late towards
attractions of sterling merit.
''The Elder Miss Blossom IFS one Of the
most ingenious pieces of dramatic litera-
ture that ever came from a playwrights
pen Strange mixture of comedy and pathos,
the latter ever present with the former.
yet obscured by IL until the great climax
comes. and then for brief season one is
forced to look at breaking heart the
sight of which banishes laughter. despite
the desperate attempts of it's owner to
hide the pitiful object by her forced mer-
riment- The wondrous art of Mrs. Kendall
equal TO any that ever touched char
acter and gave il life-depicts all these
varying and at times confused emotions
in a manner that is characteristic only of
genius. In 1.-THE Second Mrs. TanqueEay'
she did fine piece of work, but il lacked
the element of greatness because the
woman she fmpersonated was Of type
with which one can never fully sympa-
thize- As Dorothy Blossom. however, there
are no limitations OF any kind placed about
her acting. She has noble, lovable
woman to portray, and does so in such n
faultless manner that every emotion of
the elder Miss Blossom is felt and shared
BY the audience as quickly as il is mani
Tested. When this dear creature laughs
as she thinks Of her coming happiness as
the wife OF the man she has loved for three
long years-the only man she ever loved
the audience enters into her joy Then
when the blow falls at last, and she is
forced TO see that a horrible mistake has
been made, that Quick's' proposal was
instead. her desolation seems so real that
handkerchiefs come into instant play
throughout the house.
In the character of Andrew Quick Mr..
Kendall has as difficult a task as ever an
actor essayed. and that he performs it
satisfactorily is almost proof that his art
Is greater than that of his wife However
this may be. certain 1t is that two stars OF
ton.
The Kendals are surrounded by a com
pany that is adequate in every respect
Aside from the principals, perhaps the per-
sonality and acting of Miss Campbell at
tracts the most attention. MISS Campbell,
too, - an old acquaintance OF Indianapo-
lis patrons OF high-class dramu, and II cam
not be said that she has Ioss any OF her
charm. Mr.. p. +. Ames as Wither, con-
tributes bit OF character acs.ng uiIite nm
like anything seen before. and for that rea-
son. possibly. not fully appreciated In the
same category belongs Miss Mary Kilpack.
who pictures type OF English female care
taker that very naturally does not appeal
forcibly to American audiences though
none the less finished for all that c. p
Poison as Wells, her husband. is quite as
clever in his way. Mr. Athol Fo-de as
Christopher Blossom and Mr.. Frank Fenton
as Major Twentyman are essential to the
life and humor OF the play. Eat, as inti
mated before, the entire company is good.
Add 10 all this stage settings of the ,nost
natural kind, and the sum total is q pro-
duction that Is an event OF first itnportance
The Kendais Will repeat THE Elder Miss
Blossom tonight, and for the last time
during the present engagement tomorrow
night.