Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-30


could be heard at. intervals, and
bayenets and brass buttons cleaned and
glistened at almost every movement, the
willy little. god Love quietly but easily
.outstrfpped his sterners competitor Mars,
and made captives willing prisoners.
and in the end smoothed the wrtnAed
front OF grim .visaged war itself.
Itwas. Secret Service. - one Of the earli-
er plays, that mimically depicted the
struggle between the sections, in which
William Gillette. theFauthors Of the dra-
ma, starred with such distinction. that
served to introduce the struggle for SUI:
premacy between love and war.
Is GILMORE'S BEST ROLE.
Frank Gilmore was seen in the play.
wright's old role OF Captain Thorne, and
did not suffer by comparison with the
original: He was careful. conscientious,
and painstakins; read his lines with
clearness, and Throughout all of the try
ing scenes of the play. was compelling to
degree scarce to be expected in such
trying role. He was withal natural,
and Sthere was no attempt to initiate,
which was In itself commemorate. Mr..
Gilmore's work last night was sufficient
in itself to stamp him as an actor of
no mean merit, and his Captain Thorne
Isl perhaps the most ambitious and best
conception he. has made since his con-
nectioa with the Fawcett forces.
MISS KINBALL PLEASING.
Miss Grace Kimball was seen to adj
vantage as Edith Varney. Her love scenes
with Thorne, as counterpart. were de-
licious. but In the. tender passages Of the
play she was most convincing
Frank Craven again demonstrated his
kr,- ~ rpy,f1
that dainty. little actress, Laura McGiI-
.vray. essayed the role of Caroline Nit
ford in q manner that captivated every.
one of the large audience. She was In
genuous as she was pretty, and 1t Is
doubtful if any other ingenues could have
gained more complete sympathy than
this same little woman.ssD Witt Jen-
nings as Benton Arrelsford had charac-
ter that; fitted him, anu, he made, the most
of his opportunities, although there was
a slight disposition on his part to overdo
the role. Especially was this true OF his
scene in the telegraph office. where he
ranted almost beyond forgiveness.
The story Of Secret. Service" is too
we'll known to need repetition It unfolds
a theme of love and war, but Its charac.
tiers arc so blended that theretis no op-
portunity for offence to'ieither the sym
pathizers Of the Blue or. the Gray
The locale Of the :play.is Richmond at
the close Of tho war, which should lend
additional interest hereabout to the pro-
duction.
The drama is accurately staged, and,
taken altogether, it is one of the most
thoroughly enjoyable: and best-rendered
plays presented by the Fawcett Com
pany. Secret Service" will remain at the
5Bijou for the balance Of the week. with
the usual natinees. J.:.W. A
Mr.. Kyle Pleases.
Nathan Hale the same heroic and
intensely thrilling Revolutionary romance
as played by the Inimitable Nat Good
win, was presented before large audi
ence in the Academy of Music last night
by Mr.. Howard Kyle, with Miss F'lorencs
Smyth as his leading woman.
The scenery was not unlike that when
Hale in this city. The costumes were
similar to those worn by. the followers
of George washington and the British
soldiers about 1T years ago.
His repeated bows before the curtain
were -indteatiye of his, having made a
good impression. !.
Miss Smyth. as Alice Adams, waa
petite, sweet, and piquant. She:was ex-
ceedingIy vivacious. and her ability to
laugh cleverly at. the proper time reflected
great credit upon her acting.
Mr.. Herbert Curtis, Richmond boy,
who took thespart of Ebenezer Lebanon,
acquitted himself creditebly, and many
of his friends, including his relatives,
were in the audience to see him for the
first time in a professional play. AS Mr.
Hale's assistant in. the Union Grammar
School, in. New London, Conn, Mr.. Cur
tbs was very good. : He demonstrated his
ability to become a. star in the perform
ance last night, and wherever he may
go it. may be said that. he has enough
training in theatrical work to acquire a
name for himself.
Mr.. Kyles company is well balanced.
A large number Of prominent persons
were in the audience. among them being
Captain and Mrs. John A. Curtis, Coun-
Gilman William II. Curtis, John a. Cur
It's, Jr., and others.
- Mr.. Kyle was seen yesterday afternoon
. in Laughter and Lies. He was good
as Henry Trueman and Miss Smyth
played the part of Ruth Nfifflin with ex-
ceptional ability. Mr.. Curtis took the
part Of Jacob Bailey.
so great is tho desire of the theatre
goers of Richmond and vicinity 10 see
Mr.. Herbert Kelley and Miss Shannon, in
.Sherlock Holmes" at the Academy of
Music that Manager Rex, acting on in
structions from Daniel " Arthur. who is
directing the. Kelcey-Shannon tour, has
decided to sell no more. than six.seats to
any one person for this performance. Ex-
ceptions will be- made In case of large
theatre larties, or to persons personally
known to Manager Rex.
SDfgby Bell. one of the best-knoWn and
most popular comedians In America, will
appear as Sam Weller In the support Of