Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1901-06-08
MY LADY DARRELL.

CRITICISM by ]. VIII OoSsm@h-4
''In attempting to critioisc play, one
scarce knows where to begin and who
70 criticise. In the minstrel, the end
man receives the praise or thecondemna-
ton of the critic; in the drama, the heavy
william and the "heorines;" in comic
opera. the star commands all our at
tention. but in the melo-drama there are
SO many stars" that 10 give each pass
inc mention exhausts an our space.
Such is the case with the play given by |
the Dramatic Club in Cameron hah re-
Gently. II We were asked the name OF
the best amateur actress We know we
would candidly admit that Miss Braith-
waite was cqualied by few and surPass-
ed by no one in amateur theatricals.
AS the Junior Lady Darrell. nee Alice
Paisev. she completely echpsed her for
mer appearances, and added new laurels
TO her crown. In the second scene Of
the third act she did bit of especially
fine acting. when confined IN the vaults
of the Abbey Rims To bring the gan
lie character OF Alice into the greatest
degree OF prominence. required the coop
Grafton Of Old Mother Grips, which was
SO well acted by Mrs. Spencer. Her IN
imitabic acting furnished enough com
edy for whole play. The slipper al
fair was pathetically humorous
In contrast to the sweet girl who mar
rcd a man To save him from the hang
mans moose. was her rival and schemins
enemy, Viola Vaughan. NiolH's pretend
cd love for Lord Darrell. and her actua
love for the Darrell diamonds, was wei
executed BY Miss Rosa Emory. Niola's
exit from this life carries with II a moral
but we doubt if the whole picture of IN
trigue and misery could change the
mind Of single human being. especially
II that being was a woman
The first act of the play was OF twenty
minutes duration. but So full of lie, anC
che parts SO well supported, that thu
time seemed all too short. Mr.. T. b
Smith as Joseph Paisey, scored decideC
hit. With his increased lateral circum
stances, and his wheel barrow anC
and with his gOatee and straw hat Serv
ing as a background. he presented tru
IN Iaughable picture AT the mere men
ton of his wiie's name he seemed 20 b
completely in the power pit Saint Nitus
and as soon as Paisey's wrathful dam
appeared, the very Brim Of has straw ha
trembled like forlorn leaf in a Noven
Der wind. The character and the ma
suited each other SO well that the pla
seemed TO have been written especial
for him. AS much may be said of mos
of the other characters.
In Miss McNsir we saw an ideal Mar
tina Palsy. Her exhibition Of wrathfr
denunciation was alarming, and W
were glad for Joe Paisey's sake that
was merely play. We were also gla
for our own sake that We were not 10
Paisey. We had had the pleasure of Sc
I ing Miss McNair IN play given at I'll
all sometime since, and knew abou
what TO expect. We were not disal
pointed, but were highly gratified TO 81
how splendidly she executed her part
As cir 0SOUTCt RaWuIhs MI n. =
Smith, distinguished himself We unde
stand he is a new figure on the amater
stage, so a few appearantly adverse cri
icisms may not be auiss.
There was lack of solemnity and
precision In his actions immediately 70
lowing the murder scene and during Il
marriage ceremony. He did not adaI
himself TO the character he represents
as well as did most OF the other player
IL Is not surprising. however. that
Young man in his teens should not
able TO faithfully act as a man of fif
odd. RE IS better adapted for iuveu
character. and we believe would mrke
! admirable Job Trotters.
Mr. Saunders although frequently Sc
on the amateur stage, won new laur'
as Lord Roy DARRELL He could not pa
sibiy have found character better su
ed TO his style of acting Dramatic, ?
thetic, and Ut all times thoroughly a
mated. he played his part wen, with I
exception of a single incident. occupyi
but few moments In the third 6
and 6rst scsne. he failed 10 show
1bsppuiesp he words signi6ed. 70 sh'