Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-22
AFFAIR REBEL AT THE THEATRE.
This Story of tho Late War Quite Well Pre-
scented Last Evening.

seuted LAst EVeuthss
new play was presented at the Thea
tire last night twas 4" Fair Rebel -
AS il indicates story of the late war.
"a Fair Rebel" is play which has
tome claims to dramatic merit. The
time of action is the close of the war,
the scene Southwest Virginia, the hero
a Federal officer, the heroine Virginia
girl. The story is interesting, but lar
from novel-in fact the plot Is a rehash OF
the old melodramatic order. But while
the play a. a whole is melodramatic and
of little value, there are in it some very
dramatic scenes Take, for instance. the
close of the second act where the hero,
Colonel Ezra Mason, of the Federal
cavalry, is surprised and captured by q
detachment of Confederate cavalrymen.
This tableau is very effective. The gaily-
uniformed Federal officer standing at
bay; his trembling sweetheart fainting
ut his side ; the group of Confederates
standing by. covered with the dust OF n
long ride-these make strikingly real
istic stage picture.
The sentiment of the play is il any
thing, southern in tone, and there Is
nothing in it that could offend any one.
OF the Federal and Confederate soldiers
who are part of the drdtnatfs persona
all are brave, true men, and the only
villain is Frenchman. Consequently
there is nothing to make Virginia au
dience feel unpleasant except, perhaps,
the shabby gray uniforms and patched
dresses that were so familiar IN the dark
days OF 1S5l-'65.
The character drawing is defective
and the actors do not initiate well the
soft Virginia accent, so that although
the costumes and make-ups are extreme
ly realistic, the play is far from being
true picture Of southern life.
The company Is excellent. Mr.. Ed
ward X. Mawson plays the roie of the
Federal cavalryman very spiritedly, and
develops every effect that lies in the part
Miss Fanny Gillette makes dramatic
heroine-overdoing her part just 4
shade, perhaps. Mr.. Walter j. Brooks
ldo Perrin, Mr.. J. Z. Keefe (Majo
Stillman), and Miss Leslie illson Mis-
Wyeth) are all clever people, who &C
naturally and pleasingly. Mr.. John +
Ryan as Nelse, the old body servant
makes sorry business Of the dialect o
the Virginia darky, but his makeup i
fine.
Take the performance all in all il is al
enjoyable one--not drama OF any de
gree OF strength or fneness, but on
that will interest and please.
xFPIE ELLsLER AS "THE GovRRNEss."
Fife Ellsler made many new FREUD
IN her presentation OF 1.-The Governess
last night. The strength OF her actin
lies 10 her simplicity and naturalness
Frank Weston as Jarvis Coulter divide
the honors with Miss Ellsler. John A
Ellsler as job Monckton, tho tramp
gives quaint touch of humor TO par
which ia other hands might be yer,
disagreeable. The rest of the cast dil
we'll.
1.-THE Goyerness viii be given at tn
matinee to-day, and tonight the engage
ment will close with repetition Of Mis-
Ellslsr's new comedy, miss Manning.
TICKETS FOR "PAUL KAUvAR."
At the Academy box-ofiice tickets TO
The performance OF "Psul Kauyar" viii
b. placed on sale this morning. Thil
great play is from the pen OF the dis
dpguished American playwright, Mr..
Steele Macksye. II has Tor four years
held the northern etage with nnintsr-
yupted success, and has for more than a
year past been running at one OF the
principal London tbestreA Mr. T. j.
baakIexs on Of the bet leading men on