The Washington times., 1914-05-12
AT CAPITAL THEATERS THIS WEEK
POLLS

There were three things about the
production Of The Littlest Rebel. by
the Poll Players last night that made
deep impression on the audience-that
would make an impression on any audi
eEce. These were the unusually artistic
performance of Grace Shanley, the child
actress. in the name part: the violation
OF all stage precedents in having a man
with a real Southern accent and man
ners fill out the part of a Confederate
army officer. as William Corbett com
pletely filled every requirement OF the
part of Capt. Herbert Carey. and tne
unmistskably odor of a glue factory
that did duty for the scent of battle
throughout the play.
The Littlest Rebel has been called
the best war play that has pcen
written since "Shenandcah.' 1t is
probably the most unusual war play
that was ever produced in that its
star is a little girl and the women
in the cast completely efface them
selves after the first act. The burden
of playing out the story falls entire
ly on the child and the men-on the
child and two men. it should be said
The three big parts-COlonel Morrl-
son Of the Union army: Captain Carey,
of the Confederate service. and Nirgle
Carey, the child-are so written that
they are easily overplayed and easily
made caricaturcs of what the author
intended. In the hands of Richard
Buhler. Mr.. Corbett and little Miss
STANLEY. the full value of every line
and every bit of business was realiz-
ed without the slightest suggestion of
overplaying. The work of this trio
was markedly good at every moment
of the performance as the repeated
curtain calls after every act attested:
When the "Littlest Rebel was seen
before Al n1QTen
Farnurn and his brother. William, as
CO stars. Mr.. Buhler suggests Dustin
Farnum as Colonel Morrison, but he
played the part in manner that was
ing as the Farnum Interpretation. Mr..
Corbett in the part which William
Farnum originated was better than the
original. Mr.. Corbett gave most
studious Characterization. His South
err drawl and manner are natural, and
found their full play as the Confederate
scout so much harassed by the Union
cavalry. Little Miss Shanley was, Of
course. the particular star of the pro-
duction. With the other two she was
on the stage practically all Of the time
during the four acts, and her perfect
naturalness was a delight TO the audi
ence. She appeared to understand the
subtle meanings of her lines, and she
made them count full value every time.
Miss Jewell. though on the stage but
d
part especially suited to her, and 1t was
q great regret to her admirers that the
action Of the play called for her demise
SO early that they had no further oppor-
tunity of enjoying her very graceful
and artistic performance. Stanley
James as Uncle Billy. the old negro,
and Russell Fillmore as Jeems Henry.
the runaway slave. were especially
good. The other parts in the piece
were well played by Miss Bandhill.
Messrs. Hawley. Shannon. Bowser
Vance. and Gilman. The battle scene
in the third act was a triumph for Stage
Director Curtis. in view of the many
difficulties to be overcome, the produc-
ton being a duplicate that left nothing
lacking of the especially fine presenta-
ton BY the Farnums The only dis
agreeable feature was the odor Of glue
that came from the stage and pene-
trated to the furthermost corners Of
the house. There ought to be some way
to obviate this. as 1t detracts consid-
erably from the enjoyment Of the per-
formance.
GARDNER MACK.