The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-02
THE GREAT WAR PLAY.
Shenandoah Delights an Enthusiastic
Audience with q Fine Company.

shenandoah" is a play of the kind
which are technically called thrilling, and
the term is particularly well applied. The
crowded audience which filled the opera
mousse last evening was thrilled by the
sight OF love which leaps across the bar
rlers OF hate built by war; of villainy
Tor time estranging husband and wife;
OF an erring son nobly atoning for crime,
and OF proud, unforgiving father at
last softened by the knowledge
OF his boys heroism; Of a chiv-
airous officer who rather remain
silent under suspicion than break his
promise to woman; of a man who has
faced death and disease without finching,
but yet is too timid to tell woman his
love. The depicting of all these scenes
and passions. combine, with the pomp and
circumstance of war, its fever of excite
ment. its agony of suspense, its stirring in
cidents following in quick succession, its
misery and desolation, its exulta-
ton in victory, and its brave endur-
ance OF defeat, to make the play one
which will long remain favorite with the
American public. Bronson Howard, the
author, has again shown himself dramat-
list of the highest order, for every scene en-
chains the attention of the audience and
the interest never flags from the rise to the
fall of the curtain.
But not only is the play strong one at
every point, but 1t is presented by strong
company, which does full justice to
every character and every incident.
Francis Carlyle as Colonel Kerchival
West presents a nobly soldierly
hero who wins all hearts, and Miss Meta
Guion makes Of Gertrude Ellingham
most lovable, outspoken rebel, who sur
renders only to love. Her brother Colonel
Robert Ellingham, as presented by z. ].
Holland. is rebel officer who would win
any Northern woman's heart, and the
Union heart which Miss May Haines, as
Madeline West, gives to him is worth the
winning. Frank Burbeck shows an ex-
cellent conception of General Hayerill,
the proud father, whose heart softens
on hearing of the heroic death of
his boy and so readily asks forgiveness
for having doubted his wife's fidelity.
Charles Mackay as Lieutenant Frank Bed
Toe, his son, brought tears to the eyes of
the susceptible by his sad death. The diff
ficult part of Mrs. Constance Haverill was
most skilfully presented by Miss Eleanor
Tyndale; the greatest merit of her acting
was that she did not appear to be acting,
so perfectly natural as her every word,
gesture and glance. Miss n. Comstock
was clever as Jennie Buckthorn, the mar
tial maiden, r. B. Hickman was amusing
as her diffident lover, Captain Heartsease,
Harry Harwood made jolly old veteran
of General Buckthorn and Joseph Adel-
man made Captain Thornton duly repul-
sive as the villain. Sergeant Barket was
made funny Irish soldier by James o.
Barrows, and Mrs. A. G. Hasten was his
match as old Margery. The other parts
were well presented by E. J. Morgan,
Charles Wells, w. J. Cummings, Charles
Shaefer, Miss Anna Robinson, Miss Mar
garet Robinson, Arthur Hilton, C. L. Eli
oft, George Maxwell, f. Wood and w.
Thomas.
Shenandoah" will be repeated this and
tomorrow evening.