The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-02
The Great Murphy" Kerry Cow" etc.

The great attraction in the amusement line for
the coming week will undoubtedly be the advent
of Joe Murphy, and the presentation for the first
time in this city of the new drama, Kerry Cow"
In this play says the Montreal Star, Joe has
taken step upwards, and his rendition of the
hero's part more than establishes his title to on
exalted place as an Irish comedian Of the high
est talent" Everything" says New York cx-
change, she does bespeaks care, study and re-
Election, and we look upon him as to-day the SUI
peror OF the late Barney Williams and a great
many other theatrical pretenders whose Ia
Dor has been burlesque on the Irish character"
The play is everywhere hailed as one of the high
est order. In the first place the scenery is pic
turesque and attractive, the plot simple and
shortly told and the dialogue free from strain
for effect or fine writing. 1t sparkles with the
brlliancy of original Irish wit and humor. It is
not popular" play in the lowest sense CT the
word, but one that will be appreciated and en-.
joyed by all educated and thoughtful people.
The Irish character is apuzzle to those would
be dramatists who have never looked upon the
green sward OF ireland, and the consequence
has been, few hundred irish plays, which in
every sense are carcatures on life in Ireland;
even those who have studied the Irish character,
"learned by note" the pecuiarities, eccentrici-
ties. humors and petty fobes Of the sons and
daughters OF Erin, have failed to properly por-
tray the lights and shades that flash upon and
darken the Irish nature. or all those who have
attempted sketch piece of our nationality Bou-
cieault stands supremely as the master, and in
his 'Shaughraum" Though overdrawn and eX-
travagant in many scenes) he achieved a tri-
umph. Since the production of that new cele-
brated play, we can safely accord Mr.. Marsden's
work the praise of a second position. 1t ranks
as the best Irish play that has been produced in
this country since the birth OF the "Shaugh
raun." 1t lacks the glossy glamour and mas
terly finish of the latter work, but 1t is superior
in point of nature, purity and sentiment. 1t dis
plays less of that stacy, startling effect which
characterized Boucicaults work. II Mr.. Bouc-
cault played kerry Cow" its run would equal
that of the "Shaughraun." Think of whats in
name"
We have not room enough for sketch OF the
plot nor do we wish to steal away the inter
est that mystery naturally excites, but will let
the spectator enjoy all the unique and original
scenes in which the play abounds as they sue.
coed each other. In the third scene, however, he
makes genuine horse shoe and fits it. "The
grace, ease and coolness," says New York pa
per, (which marks this performance is an evil
dence of much latent power" and shows the re-
suits of those months of careful study in a
blacksmith's shop in San Francisco in preparing
for this scene. In Montreal he shod on the
stage one of the most noted racers Of the Do
miniOn. In another scene "the most thrilling
excitement" says the Star, was occasioned by
the carrier pigeons" which Mr.. NJ. has trained
and carries with him. The drama is certainly a
a mastery one.
Daring the week, Murphy will appear in others
of his well known speeialties which need no
commentator at our hands. See the advertise
ment in another column for scale Of prices, &c
Reserved seats can now be had at Simon Bros
Music store and we advise our friends to secure
them early, especially for kerry Cow