Part 596: Charles Rand Kennedy and “Winterfeast”
In 1908, Thomas G. Moses wrote, “Made a model for Charles Rand Kennedy for his new play “Winter Feast” late in September.” Moses’ designs included a setting that depicted the interior of a Viking chieftain homestead.
“Winterfeast” was a tragedy in five acts written by Charles Rann Kennedy. The “Los Angeles Herald” provides a description for the play’s setting: “Its scenes are laid in Iceland of the heroic age, when Druidism still lingered there, and there is an echo of the early discovery of America as Vinland by the sturdy Icelanders of that time” (Los Angeles Herald, 14 Sept. 1908, page 2). The “Inter Ocean,” added, “The time, 1020 A.D., will place the story in the atmosphere of the conflict between the White Christ of the new generation and the grim Thor of the old Scandinavian mythology. Echoing through the drama will be the romance of the Viking voyages to ‘Vinland,’ by which Eric and Leif and Bjorn and other bold navigators forestalled Columbus in reaching the new world” (27 Sept 1909, page 37).
“Winterfeast” was first staged in Chicago where it was performed at a series of special matinees. After a brief success in the windy city, the show opened in New York at the Savoy Theater. The reception was not as well received in the East, as its run was less than three weeks.
The tragedy was described in the “Democrat and Chronicle:”
“Thorkel, the old Viking, according to the drama, had been a Skald, a poet and singer of his people, and like his son Valbrand, had been more at ease in verse than in fight, though his foster brother, Bjorn was a mighty man with the sword. It was to the latter that the heart of the beautiful Herdisa turned, for that is the way with women, to love that which is strong, through she herself is weak. So Herdisa, unasked, had told Bjorn of the love and placed her bracelet upon his arm as a testament of her affection. Then Thorkel and his two sons sailed for Vineland, the new country, the father returning with Valbrand later to tell Herdisa that Bjorn had scorned her love and sent back a taunting message. When the play opens, some twenty years after that is supposed to have happened, Herdisa is the wife of Valbrand and it is through the malevolent utterances of Ufeig, a turncoat priest, that the old story is revived.
Bjorn returns, is coldly received, but refuses to regard himself as an unwelcome guest and ultimately in a powerful scene, he learns of the trick practiced upon him and the woman he loves. He had been married in the far off country, but he tells Herdisa that she alone has had his heart through all the years. Then she sends him forth to do vengeance. Through a skillfully contrived arrangement the spectator is left in uncertainty as to which of the two men has been killed in combat” (Democrat and Chronicle, 1 Dec 1908, page 7).
The cast included Edith Wynne Matthison (Herdisa), Robert Cummings (Thorkel), Frank Mills (Valbrand), Walter Hampden (Bjorn/Olaf), Arthur Lewis (Ufeig), Ben Field (Odd), and Gladys Wynne (Swanhild). Matthison was the author’s wife.
Charles Rann Kennedy (1871-1950) was an actor, playwright, press agent, and theatrical business manager. Born in Derby, England, he began his career as an office boy, but soon began writing and lecturing. He wrote short stories, critical articles and poems, later teaching for several years at Bennett Junior College in Millbrook, New York. His first theatrical success as a playwright was “The Servant in the House.” Produced in 1908, it was this success that caused Kennedy to immediately produce an earlier play that he had written – “Winterfeast.” Other Kennedy plays included, The Terrible Meek (1911), The Necessary Evil (1913), The Idol-Breaker (1914), The Rib of the Man (1916), The Army with Banners (1917). In 1898, he married English actress Edith Wynne Matthison who was identified with “Everyman” and Shakespearean productions. She played the female lead in “Winterfeast.” The Kennedys retired in Los Angeles, California.
To be continued…
