From the Richmond Times, 1/24/1893, p. 5, c. 7

“A Fair Rebel.”

This play attracted a very good house at the Theatre last night, and, in comparison with the usual “Southern play” it is quite pleasing. The plot is based on the well-known escape of Federal prisoners through the famous tunnel which was dug under the cellar of Libby Prison during the war, and the author has compiled a very sensational drama from that very sensational drama from that very sensational episode. The only objection to the play from a Southern standpoint is that, as they all do, it carves the villain out of a Confederate, only that in this case the Confederate is a Frenchman in the Southern army, while it, like all the rest, performs the impossible and unnatural feat of making an ardent Southern woman fall so desperately in love with a Yankee officer as to be willing to turn traitor to the Southern cause in order to effect his release from prison.

These features of the play are objectionable because they tend to belittle the Southern and aggrandize the Northern character. Outside of these, however, the drama is strong and entertaining, and is creditably given. Each member of the cast acts well his or her part, and the performance elicited considerable applause from the audience. It will be repeated at a matinee to-day and for the last time to-night.

• Prev
• Next