I came across a wonderful dramatic notice the other day, though not by a full-time reviewer. A century ago, Uncle Tom’s Cabin came to my small New England town and one of my neighbors’ forebears, the local correspondent for the area’s weekly newspaper, reported on the production thus:  

The Henry family rendered the drama of Uncle Tom’s Cabin at Church hall last Saturday evening in a truly unique manner. Playgoers say they never saw it rendered in such a way before. The little folks did themselves credit as Topsy and little Eva, and Mr. Henry proved his versatility by playing six parts, but he forgot to return some furniture borrowed of a neighbor, also to give the admission tickets promised for the use of it. Forgot to mention the breaking of a valuable reflector belonging to the hall, and some tools borrowed of a neighbor disappeared with the troupe and cannot be found.

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