3-074-883 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Sketches from "Lords and Commons," at the Haymarket Theatre, 1883. London stage production. 'The scene that our Artist has selected for illustration is, indeed, the vital moment of Mr Pinero's successful comedy...It is a love scene...Mrs. Devenish, having acquired a fortune in America, comes to humiliate the Caryls: Lord Caryl supports the dignity of his family name under tremendous odds. Naturally enough, they fall in love...Mrs. Devenish, radical and commoner, has to bow down to the superior sway of her master - Lord Caryl. These love scenes that form such a striking feature in Mr. Pinero's play are admirably interpreted by Mrs. Bernard Beere and Mr. Forbes Robertson, the two happiest representatives of youthful fervour and dramatic passion. The lady is distinguished by her presence and her pride, the man by his tenderness and truth. In the scene depicted Mrs. Devenish is wavering and half yielding to the love attack of a man who is prepared to sacrifice name, position, pride, prejudice and self-esteem for the sake of the all powerful master - love'. From "Illustrated London News", 1883.