The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-12-13
EFFIE ELLsLER As ~BARBARA."
= Large Audience Witnessed clyde
Fitch'- War Play.

Barbara Frietchie the inspiration OF
Whnucrs poem aud the heroine and CEN
trll figure Of an Incident Of the civil
War that has been much written about
and about which there has always been
a difference Of opinion among alleged his
torians. was the subject Of a play by
Mr. Clyde Fitch presented last night
with Miss Efie Ellsier IN the title role
The author diselaims any intention Of
writing Of an historical play, watch IS
we'll The character o. Barbara Is chang
"a from that OF an old woman f-to that
Of 70 young and pretty maiden and the
story is used merely as the groundwork
for pretty and pathetic war play.
The incident OF the dag occurs In the
last act. when the Southern army IS
marching through Frederick after captur-
ing the town. Barbans Union soldier
llcs dcid Ia her home. while She distract
ga and grief-strickcn, appears on the We
rlnda and waves the Stars ana stripes
before the Soushe forces. Sine Is shot by
a former sweetheart whom she has gifted.
after the commanding officer has ordered
that She be not harmed. The patnos OF
this scene Is particularly strong, for, be
sides tho death ~ Barbara, the officer in
command orders the arrest and punish
his own son.
The character OF Barbara as Mr.. Fitch
has built it. Is admirably fitted TO Miss
Ellsler's talcu's-or rather she Is TO the
role. She invests Q with "a girl.sh sweet
moss "a tender pathos and a strong wo-
manlincss that make b simply beautiful
Miss Elislcr looks almost as young as
She dd years ago whom she played "Ha-
zcl Kirkc" She is favorite
49, HNf TOD "a n
pl,usc. two curtain calls being given.
Mr. Frank Weston. who. boy the way, IS
Miss EusIer's husband. made "A Union OF
arer tNat even a rabid Soutnerner could
like. and az least some persons wondered
not that Barbara fen in love with him.
There rs something In Weston's cut and
his acting that Is refreshing. II was even
so with hts Drake in the Christian
Mr.. steadman. Mr.. Dassie and Mr. chap
pelle were al capable and Mr.. Christie
gave a strong dcuncntlon OF difhcult
part-that OF Jack NeEley. the disturbed
lover Miss Arden. Miss Byth Miss MUIR
ray. are also deserving OF mention.
The Southern Stock Company. with
Miss Mabel Paige. will resume their en-
nagomcnt this afternoon with matinee
performance Of 1.-THE Prisoner OF Algiers.'
Tonight the bill viii be Jacks Sweet
heart"
"a Runaway Girl" viii b. the opening
attraction Of next week on Tuesday night.
The Augusun Day Musical Company IS
tho organization presenting this charm
ing comedy II comes direct from New
York and Is composed 81 such artists
only who could reach that standard OF
merit demanded hy that master hand IN
everything pertaining 10 the stage-Au-
rustiu pniy There are sixty members In
the company. headed by Arthur Dunn. a
chorus OF trained voices Is heard Ia the
many musical numbers. and the many
solos. duets and concerted pieces, sung by
mo PRINCIPALS. appropriate 10 the action
Of the play. nave served 20 make a Rum
away GlrI' a great musical comedy sue
cess. Seats viii go on sale Saturday
morning az o'clock.
Following a Runaway Girl" will come
"Othcr pcoplcs Money" Wednesday
night jay Gould. when be was asked
one time how he attained his riches. an
swored "By playing with other peoples
money" Heunessy Lcroylc. the come
alan. might give the same answer. FOR IN
one short season he has Won both fame
ana fortune Ia the brilliant comedy II
Il written on comedy lines. Is clean.
bright witty and probable. Tho scenes
ana characters are drawn from modern
everyday American life. and the princi-
nal persouace. Hutchinson Hopper as
portrayed by Hennessy Icroyle. Is a Gre
atl.n that vii live on the stage for years
10 come The story 81 the comedy Is
,.o,,l and fun q natural humor. Hutch
inson Uopper. the role which Mr. Leroyle
assume. Is a millionaire stock broker
nanny In the contemplation Of his own
,dro.tnesa. ard believes himself able 20
eope nor only with his colleague hut
win any combination OF circumstances.