Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1906-09-23
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attractions .Ht Che
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there Is Il verdict that should prove
true so far as success is concerned:
but the play Is similar to its prede.
ccSsOr only In that some of the men
wear uniforms
THE drama is II war play, since
the action takes place during the last
year of the civil war: but the great
struggle forms only Il part of the
skeleton of the plot. which is concern.
ed with the eternal veritics OF human
nature. youth, love. patriotism and
self-sacrificc.
Briefly Major Francis Dale u. S.
A., cndcavoring to put Il stop to the
activities Of a woman who is supply
ing General Lee with information of
the movements of the Federal army.
discovers that Constance Pinckncy is
the agent WHOM he is seeking. IIav-
ing fallen in love with her, he puts
her on parole to engage in no further
secret missions until the end Of tho
war Directly after accepting her ma
role he is made prisoner w Con-
stances brother. and believes that the
girl has betrayed him. The close OF
the war makes all things plain.
"A simple plot. perhaps. thus badly
stated: but this substructurc is Il con-
vincing foundation upon which
stand the numerous episodes and situ-
atoms which produce the strong dra-
matte effects that make the play pow
erful. So adroitly is the rlay con
Sirlctcd that when at certain mo.
ments the spectator feels that he is
ahnnt to he led into paths too fire.
qucntly trodden, It is found that he is
confronted by a situation entirely nm
expected. or brought to Il thrilling
crisis that closes an act with touch
of something very like genius. There
Is singular audacity in the authors
treatment of his work freshness Of
view that SharpenS even his acute oh.
servati0n: clever lines. sparkling dia.
lognc. not an inSiant's drag. swing
and snap that show conscientious
workmanship OF the artist in stage.
craft. All these things make ON PA.
role play that is fun of dramatic
vigor. with all the clements of a mer-
tied success.
Yet all Of last nights success must
not be attributed to the work of Mr.
Shipman. The artistic work of Miss
Charlotte Walker as Constance Pinck.
ney. and of Vincent Serrano. MS Major
Dale, supported by an admirable com
pany, produced sympathetic inter
probation OF Elay worthy of their cf-
loris. Miss Walkers acting was now.
ertul and swayed the audience. On
her mobile features the play of emo
ton WAS depicted clearly. yet with re-
straint the actress clinging to the
golden mean and avoiding the obvious.
Her beauty charmed. but even that
was eclipsed by the true value and
sustained color of her performance
Her entrances and exits were all eff
lective. She was Il picture of gracious
young womanhood, both in formal
gowns, distended by hoop.skirts, ana
in flowing riding habit.
Mr. Serrano had upon him the task
OF portraying the virile hero. torn he.
tween love and duty struggling dumb
~ against the obstinate force of pre-
ludicc. following high ideals, even
when convinced that his trust has
been betrayed and his love become Il
mockery. Repression was the key.
note of his reading of the character
oi Major Dale, and his work was most
finished acting. no detail being too
minute to receive from him it's due
observance.
On Parole is staged with the
greatest care and good taste. In the
second and third acts the scene is the
living room of the Plnckney house.
White wainscoted walls. upon which
hang family portraits. old furniture,
that might have come straight from a
southern mansion, IL student lamp
upon n large round center table. and
candles at the sides OF the room make
an admirable setting. The first act is
a cabin on the hills near the Kappa
hammock w icL- An cna.,