The morning times., 1896-02-25
In AN IDYL OF THE WAR
Mr. and Mrs. Russ Whytals "For
Fair Virginia. a Success.
A New North ana South Drama Pre-
scented to Neutrality-suspicious. at the
Lafayette-At Other Theaters.

For Fair Virginia" is another proof OF
| the richness of the dramatic material
furnished by the civil war. This accounts
| for the many good, ard many worthless
| plays that have been written on that
/ theme. The author OF the present drama,
Mr.. Russ Whytal, has been very fortunate
! both in the selection OF incidents and
/ jGicious and skillful as a playwright.
There was a very large audience at the
Lafayette Square Theater last evening
30 witness the first production of the piece
| in Washington. Not he least pleasure in
witnessing the performance is TO note the
effect the alternating political sentiments
have on the audience. The Johnny Rebs
and the Yankees have each several turns
lat the bait
Mr. Whytafs prOressed aim is to give
the wofnans side of the war and he
has done it ably without the chcapness of
waving flags and rows OF kncckkneed
supernumeraries. 1t is melOdrama,
but one of the highest type. 1t is an
earnest, virie, and invigorating dramatic
work. Its humor is spontaneous, and its
sentiment is pure. II will mark no epoch
i'll the history OF our stage, but it is Il de-
lightful contrast to the dramas Of dirt, the
problems of social putrescence and the
Senseiess farces based upon sensual sug-
gestiveness with which we have so long been
deiugcd.
Its story is one of the countless house
holds where disSenson entered first when
varying patriotism brought loved ones to
the parting OF the ways. Virginia ESmOnd,
u true woman OF the South. is married to Il
Northern man, who had made his home in
her native valley.
Devoted to her cause she parts from him
when duty calls him TO defend the side that
held his sympathy. Laughlin, another
Immigrant 10 Virginia but unlike Esmond.
Il cur at heart, had long loved her, and finds
his opportunity for persecution in the power
that war gives him. Dunbar. true Vir-
ginian, the friend of Esmond and lover of
his sister, Nell, promises to guard his
friends wife and child, and nobly keeps
his trust.
The strongest character in the play is
Virginia Esmond. Southern woman OF
spirit, and. with the courage of her con-
yictions. The part is taken by Mrs. Whytal.
whose conception and treatment of the
character are Sympathetic, natural and
artistic. Mrs. Whytal has come very
near PRESENTING 10 int pubic JHe lutdt
Southern woman of the war period.
The author takes the part OF General
LaughIin c. S. a, a otch-Confederatc,
ana while the role is not a particularly
grateful one to the Southern taste, he is
fashioned as not the ideal Southern type.
which latter is 10 he locked for in Colonel
Dunbar. played by Mr. Charles S. Able.
The Yankee girl, quite advanced and ad-
vancinG ever since thirty years ago. is
very acceptably pcrSonated by Miss Mabel
| Knowles. The colored adjutant is Uncle
| Zcb, 10y Mr.. John Woodward.
Julian Esuond might he called q very
| prec1cious hoy and actor but for the fact
that he is a little girl, who is Miss Lottic
BriScoc. very wise child. The part made
a great hit with the audience, and very
justly so.
The curtain raiser is entitled Agatha
Denc." a very pleasing little comedy, which
! introduces Mr. and Mrs. Whytal most
agrecably TO the audience.