THEATRE ROYAL.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11748, 24 November 1903, Page 9

THEATRE ROYAL.

The author of the charming pMy 'Barbara Frei-'chie," produced lost lUglit by the Frawley Company, has, exercising the license which dramatist-, in common with poets, claim, made the principal character a winsome voting lady in love with a Northern officer, in the weE-known poem which has supplied at least the name of the play, it is a grey-head*d wcjnan who exhorts the confederate soldiers not to fire upon the emblem of tho union. The piece deals with on episode in the Civil war, which shows the bitter ppirit engendered by the struggle and the sit tuitions ore alike dramatic and effective. Miss Van Buren achieved quite a triumph in tbe character of Barbara Freitcbie, the Southern gjrl who lovea so ardently but co "unhappily. Her impersonation wa* thoroughly natural and powerfully dramatic in it- intensity, particularly in the thi-d act, where Barbara keeps guard over her wounded lover. In lighter win. also in tho earlier acts in tbe very pretty soens with which the piece opens, and the love scenes with Cnptaiu Trumbull, Miss Van Buren acted with a spontaneity and freedom which was iv marked contrast to tlie other charactera in which she has appeared. As a whole, nothing could be more artistic than her performance in tlw part—one ivhich revealed a depth and jntei-rity o;f dramatic force which came somewliat j„ a surprise. Miss Denniston wn_ charmingly quaint and piquante as Sue Royce, a character which sbo played very prettily indeed. She was ably supported by Miss Blanche Douglas and Mfcs D'Arcy, making a charming quartette, all looking rnoit attractive in the fashions of tha by-go_j dayi Miss Christine Hill made the email part of the negro woman stai<i out with much distinctness, and Miss Hall was also good as Mrs Hunter. Mr Plimmer lias done nothing better than his impersonation of Captain Trumbull, tho part being played throughout with much reprewsed power. He was specially good in tlie love scenes with Barbara, which were given with just sufficient passion, and without exaggeration. A clever character impersonation was that of Mr Freilchio by Mr Reynolds, tbe hottempered, impulsive Southerner, full of hatred for the Yankees, being finely pourtrayed. Tlie scene with Barbara, where she implores him to save her lover, was nn excellent piece of acting. Mr Frawley had a subordinate part as Jock Negley, but he went through the powerful scene in whioh be seeks the life of Captain Trumbull with a great deal of dramatic intensity. The other chor-ctears, which do not stand out markedly, were well filled, though Mr Herbert was somewhat stagey as Arthur Freitctue. The piece was prettily put on the stage, the opening set being specially good. "Barbara Freito-o" will be played again to-night, and to-mor-row "Brother Officers," a comedy which is well spoken of, will be staged.