Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-02-06
WAR play with no beautif

~ Southern lassie wearing he
heart away for a Northern
soldier hero whom she shouldn't
love but does because she shouldn't
with no brother or son in era,
fighting against a brother or fathel
clad in the hated blue, and IN
cidentally and accidentally killing the
same father or brother-neither OF these
conventional stage situations and yet
a play that thrills and holds from be-
ginning to end in spite of-or snail we
say because of-the absence of these
time-honored traditions. Such is 1.-THE
Littlest Rebel" in which Dustin and
William Farnum, and firstly n last
ly the Littlest Rebel herself, Juliet
Shelby, are appearing at the Newark
Theatre this week.
The theatre-going public owes a debt
Of gratitude to the author, Edward
Peple, both for breaking away from
the conventional conception OF the
Civil War drama and for creating a
child role which is so thoroughly de-
lightful as that of Virginia Cary. MT.
Peple. it may be remembered, is also
the author of 1.-THE Prince Chap"
These two plays prove him to be a
master in the delineation of children's
characters.
The story of 1.-THE Littlest Rebel" fol-
lows the fortunes of a confederate
scout. Herbert Cary, whose bravery In
the cause of that portion of the coun-
try to which he feels he owes his al
legiance causes the federal forces So
much alarm that they offer q reward
for his capture. After he loses his home
through the firing of the Union troops
I'M his wife through grief over
the misfortunes of war, he is taken by
Lieutenant-C Colonel Morrison, of the
United States Cavalry. whose SYM
pathy for the scouts little daughter,
Virgie, causes him to free his captive
and indorse a pass to Richmond grant
ed by General Lee for the child and ali
escort. Colonel Morrison's act is re-
ported by the brother of the man whom
he shot for setting fire to the Cary
homestead, and both the colonel n
the recaptured scout are condemned to
die. The Littlest Rebel saves both
men by awakening the sympathy OF
the general, who finally decides that
even in war humanity may triumph
over discipline.
The play is strong in action and in
interest. The story is told in a
straightforward way that contains no
of prejudice or partially to
either the blue or the gray, and makes
1T appeal to Northerner and South
erner alike. Although the pathetic note
Is the prevalent one, there are bright
spots here and there which relieve the
tension. The staging is excellent, par
ticularly in the third act skirmishing
scene. The firing seems to mean real
and not simply q display of stage
Juliet Shelby, as Virgie Cary, proves
herself to be the star of child actresses.
She interprets the role with an in
telligence far beyond her 9 years n
supplants interest in a child prodigy
by admiration for a real actress who
portrays emotion with sympathy and
understanding. The case of her acting
proves that talent, not merely memory,
is the dominating factor behind it.
Dustin Farnum. as Colonel Morrison,
an excellent picture of the North
ern soldier. for whose mastery human
ity and war duty are constantly fight
ing. His acting Is marked by an ease
and a freedom from striving for dra-
effect that make the character
This same naturalness characterizes
the work of William Farnum, as Her
bert Cary. The role of the wounded
scout Drawing the enemy's fire to take
food to his little daughter offers great
temptation for overacting, but not for
one instant during the entire play does
Mr.. Farnum step rel the border-line
between the real and the artificial. He
makes the character strong and mas
terly.
The character parts of Uncle Billy
and Sally Ann are capably handled by
George Th~tcher and Miss Mamie Lin
coin. Miss Percy Haswell, as Mrs.
Herbert Cary, gives a charming pic
ture Of the gentle Southern lady in
times of hardship.
Altogether the EAST is one of the best.
the play one of the most interesting
that has been presented in Newark
his season.
Next weeks offering will be Miss
Helen Ware in 1.-THE Price"