The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-10-31
Dream Child Play Wonderfully
Staged and Most Warmly
Received at Academy


country girl story that stands out
and brcathes its way into life. that
carvcs for itself place in print and
finds its way into our hesrts-and then
to take that same chiid's sorrow and
suffering and final triumph and hap
u NAV still hold us by It's gripping
love and interest. is possible only by
n master stroke of brain and genius.
And vet in "Rebecca OF Sunnybrooll
Farm" which klaw & Erianger pre-
scented at the academy Of Music last
night. we find that stroke. So many
duli and stupid books have been dra-
matized that the public naturally is
suspicious. but there is only one Re-
becca In fiction and only one Kate
Douglas WiEgin who could have ere
ate the part. So with this rare com
bination wc might have known that
the wonder-girl between book covers
would blossom into a far more charm
ing creature in flesh and blood. She
has done that.
But while this same dream child
play lis gorgeously and attractively
brought forth with all the art known
to the stage. fine and fresh and good
enough to run Indefinitely just because
the story strikes the heart. 1t could
not live or last without those lines
without Rebecca's quaint and delight
full chatter. trifc too smart and
bright perhaps. for one so young.
"Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" is all
bloom. fragrance and sunshine with
enough sincere, plainly spoken story
to give Zest and interest to its charm
ing undertakings. Rebecca's occupa-
tion In the plot IS to uplift general
social moral depression by the es-
sencc OF sweet childhood. tender indie
pendence and the goodness which
grows without being told.
She comes as a slip of a girl into her
Aunt Mirandi's prim home of thrift and
unremitting domesttcity. In a binding
rain storm she climbs out of the Sec
ond-story window and creeps down the
srapevines and promptly runs away,
for her heart has been instantly bro
ken by the rasping hardness of Mi
randi. Yet she steals back when she
understands. Only the smallest hap
penings enter Into the village life of
Rebecca. but they have been recorded
so eXquisitely by Mrs. Wigsin and SO
devoutly retained by Charlotte Thomp-
son. her collaboration in the dramati-
cation. that the plays simplicity and
worth are refreshing and infinitely at
tractive.
Those scenes Of the "Rcbecca books"
arc used which bring Rebecca to North
Riverboro. With graceful waves of
fairy pen, the child grows 10 girlhood,
finds education. strange meanings of
jewelry worn on fingers, and sweetens
the soured. penurious little town by her
duty and gentle playfulness. "Rebecca
OF Sunnybrook Farm" must he referred
to as an idyl of New England life.
II is real American play. Every
character is distinctly and accurately
American. Every line, every article OF
wearing apparel, every chair and trail
ing rose or wisp of hay has a peril
nent and eloquent significance. 1t is
play of words and tableaux. and is gen.
uine and fascinating as e. beautiful
story book with beautiful pictures.
One could lie to his mother with
much ease as he could find fault with
Reuecca Rowcna Randall, OF Riverboro.
There isn't a girl of seventeen or
thereabouts who Will not think II the
best play ever written, and every
mother OF a girl of seventeen will agree.
They will love this play because IT is
clean, wholesome. uplifting entertain
ment. with its quiet. with its childish
romances. with its harsh old aunt. It's
soft old ccdger, Its troop of young
girls and its delicious sentimeutality.
Whether in the severely clean garden
of the brick house or the equally neat
barn or the cottage OF the old stage
driver with its homemade crickets to
sit upon and little kitchen stove, there
Is a study OF Kate Virgins verify
which almost sings America" 1t is
both delightful and eXhilaratins. with
charm. poetry and grace in every
movement donated TO its uneventful
hours
Ursula st. George. a darkly enchant-
ing elf OF emotion and quaint humor.
plays Rebecca faultlessly. with arch
prettiness. severely polished technique
and an abandon which is delightfully."-
true and enjoyable. She nutters In
dewy tenderness about the sentiment,
nips brilliantly at the blithe comedy.
and plays IT for all its sweetness, as
hummlng bird does honeysuckie
blossom. But the most beneficent, mel
low. sympathetic work in the piece is
done by the old stage driver. Uncle
Jerry" in which Sam Reed carries
away a rich reward. Something of
James a. Herne fingers in the picture
of this downright, unse1hsh and genial