The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-09-26
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his keeping until the curtain Tell upon
the last act. .
The scene In the first part Of the third
act, when Ben Cameron gives up Elsie
Stoneman 8 love rather than iorsake his
comrades and country was possibly the
most attractive bit in the play, and both
Miss Welles and Mr.. Richie, by their
quiet, sympathetic playing, won the hearts
OF every one Miss Wellcs's acting grew
on her audience, and the charming earn
estness of her work touched tender
chord.
Next to Miss Willis, the little girl,
Violet Merserean. who played the part OF
Flora. deserved the highest praise, so
dain tlly and with such rare ability did she
picture the pretty South Carolina child.
having no fear of evil because evil had
no place in her warm young life. The
part could scarcely Mlvo been In better
or more apprecintivo hands. '.
Miss Claire Mcdowell played tho part
of Nellie Graham. q generous Southern
girl, with delicate touch that pleased
the house The character stood out and
far away from It's embittered surround
lngs like some simple. old-fashioned flower
| In q garden OF weird and strange plants.
Did Small Parts Well.
Misses Dare and Lee had little to do
or say. but the little was said and done
we'll and carefully. Miss Dare, who Is
n Virginia girl. is striltlngly like one Of
Richmond's greatest bellies.
In the character parts, Messrs. John
B. Hymer and Theodore Kehrwald both
proved themselves excellent. Tho work
of Mr. Hymer In the last act was espe-
cially happy In his reconstruction from
l reconstruction SIS
Miss Maudc Durand who played tho
part OF Aunt Eve" made a hit in the
| third act In the "lovc sccne' with "Unclc
Nelse." The scene was clever and bright.
! Mr.. Charles Males took advantage Of
his small bit in the last scene OF the
third act and played 1t convIncngly. The
picture was CHASTITY, but tho acting was
mot the less strong on that account.
Mr.. John B. Cooke, as the Abolition
! list, the leader Of the Black League.
| played an unsympathetic part with care
and thought, and Mr.. Charles Avery
was clever as the negro ridden, coward
ly Governor of South Carolina,
AS General Forrest, Mr.. r. c. Thomas
made Il hit before he had uttered a
| line, so excellent was, his picture OF
the great Confederate cavalry leader
Like the postscript to q letter, the last
is always the most important, and it Is
therefore that Mr.. John staplcton brings
up the rear position. Although unseen
behind the glare OF the foot lights and
unknown to the thousands who watch
the pictures OF mimic life before them.
Mr. Stapletons hns been the masters
hand that has in four performances
caused Mr.. Dixon's play to run as
smoothly rs q woman's tongue
Mr., Dixon's View. Fl
Mr.. Thomas Dixon, after the perform
nnce. gave the following apprcciative
statement to The TImes-Dispntch:
Il am delighted with tho enthusiastic
reception given my play by. the great
audience assembled fat the Academy
tonight. No author could ask the cap
ital OF Old Virginia for a higher on
dorsement.
felt appreciation OF their approval. Thor
applause at the strong points OF the
play was even more vigorous than the
first night audience Mt Norfolk. Their
knowledge Of our history enabled them
to follow my line Of reasoning with the
kcenest appreciation, ] have never faced
n flner-looklng, more attentive crowd ir
| America.
"rhe play will leave Richmond nj.
ter Tuesday for triumphal tour OF
the South. Again my heartfelt thanks
THOMAS DIXON, JR,"5
Was Unsatisfying,
Strong rs the play was II did no
seem TO lay real hold upon tho audience
1t was tiopal and stirring enough
and II lacked nothing in the way o
strong situations and startling cllmnxes
hut the audience never lost sight O
the fact that II was n playa sham
makebellevc--and not heart dram,
! Of the life and struggle OF an oppressed
and brave people.
That touch OF sentiment that makes
] the audience one with the idea OF tn
{ hramatist WAS lacking, Perhaps tn,
pathos and glory of the battle OF tn
South after peace had been doclarc'
4 was obscured by tho horror of othe
Q suggestions, but DC that as 1t may
: the average spectator felt that he hn
: assisted at fearful and wonderful rep
: resentation which did not touch til
= outakirts lof that drama (which WA
played in the desolate homes and ray
aged farns-whcre the men OF tn
o South, following the example and tn
d words OF General Lee, sought to max
c their State great again,