Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-16
CAPTAIN LETTARBLAIR A SUCCESS
sothern Presented His New Piece to
a. Large and Cultured Audience.

Captain I.etterblair'' was received at
the Academy last night with every sign
of popular approval. The play excited
almost continuous laughter. the curtain
had TO be raised at the end of each act
and Mr. Sothern and Miss Grace kimbail
received a hearty curtain call at the emu
of the second act. There was mucn IN
the performance to justify all this en-
thusiasm To begin with, Mr.. Sothern
has accorded Marguerite Merrington's
work an admirable setting. The three
interiors are excellent in design and de-
tail. and the concluding scene, represent
ing an old garden. furnishes m effective
bit of landscape. Then the Interpretation
is well-nlgh without a flaw. 1t engages
the talents OF some very clever artists.
These I'm turn must have the conscious
ness that they are fortunate In the many
admirable things they have to say The
play Is noteworthy rather Tor its obsefVa-
ton Of amusing types and humor IN dla-
logue than for dramatic interest. The
dialogue bristles, indeed, with vivacious
epigram. and It contains. also, many
vigorous and forcible passages. but there
is a decided tinge of old-fashioned farci-
cal methods noticeable. especially in the
first act, when Captain Letterblair, dis
guised In the Deans scholastic cap and
gown arranges an alliance FOR MS
Reverence" who has been regaling him
self with a novel behind a screen, ana
suddenly makes his appearance over the
top. Very funny. and quite effective, but
non-natural and farcically absurd. Ihen'
too. the exits and entrances are bewhder-
ingly numerous. There is lot or shallow
schenling by a particularly feeble VII
lain" and the legal and financial
ekn faln
cluslyely b. shown to be very
shakv but to such purely tech
nical criticism il does not do to at
tach too much Importance. 1t Is bet
ter 10 be correct on these points, but II
Is sufficient II the authors tampering
with reality do not Jump to the eye
TO use a French idiom-of the ordinary
Iayman. Even in the Temple OF Coinci-
dence when that iong-armed deity may
naturally claim the amplest elbow-room'
our sense OF probability put In little pro
test at tht opportune discovery or a Valu.
able document. after the msjudged and
lll-used captain has enlisted as private
in his own regiment, as IL does also at
| the idea of the ruthless villain" forging
the Captains endorsement to a draft for
a very large amount OF money, and ne
YotIating IL at "A bank where both would
| by virtue OF their importance, social and
| financial be very wei known. Notwith-
| standing all this. however. the play Is
undeniably effective. Each part Is 90
| bodily differentiated that II stands Out
| in the strongest relief. Mr.. Sothern was
| In his humorous element as Captain Let
| terblair. a creature Of unrunied serenity
and chuckling placidity, with. however
moments of deep and tender pathos. Mr.
| Sothern's support was, as has been al
ready stated, wholly admirable, spe-
| cial need OF praise being due Grace Kim
| ball. Bertha Bartlett. c. y. Flockton. and
Rowland Blackstone. Captain Letter
blair" will be repated at the matinee to-
| day, and tonight Lord Chumley Will fill
! the bill.
The male members Of the local cast
which presented THE Highest Bidder
| here last season for the benefit OF the
| Rosemary Library. including Messrs. Al
| len Potts. George Gibson, Horace Hawes,
| Preston Nolan. Roosevelt Page. Thomas
| Carter. and Levin Joynes, entertained
| Mr.. Il. T.. Sothern ard his brother. Mr.. ;.
| Sothern, with Mr.. Rowland Blackstone
| at an informal supper at the Common
| wealth Club after the performance last
| night.