Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1892-12-01
SHAM ROCK AND ROSE.
Successful Production of the Play by Local
Talent Thanksgiv Night.

Successful Production of the Play by Local
Talent Thanksgiving Night.
An audience is always more severe in its
criticism of aplay produced by local talent
than If it were travelling combination, and
the little slips, which are so apt to happen on
the stage, are more noticeable and always
provoke comment. But the audience who
witnessed the production of "Shamrock and
Rose" at the Opera House Thanksgiving
night were spared the trouble of criticism for
that cause, as no play ever moved more
smoothly. 1t would be unfair to the actors
to say their production of the play was as
good as professionals could have done, for it
was not. As an amateur production, 1t was
excellent; as good as any local dramatic en-
tertainment that has been here for years. The
acting showed long and patient drilling and
thorOughness of study which seldom charac-
terizes such performances. One feature which
was pleasure to the audience was the absence
of "stagyness," so common with amateurs and
semi-professionals James Tully as Barney
O'Brady was an ideal Irish boy, true to his
country and his friends, and ready to lend a
helping hand to those in distress. He was
the recipient of beautiful bouquet of
flowers from his admirers. Stephen II. Tyr
rell made very acceptable country squire
and as he had but little more than week to
prepare his part, his work is all the more
worthy of special mention. Will j. Hayes
did some excellent acting in his portrayal of
the Outlawed patriot and John j. Kelley and
james E. keefe. as Kings yeomen, were
very good, the former especially so in some
thrilling situations. A by no means pleasant
character was assumed by j. E. Byrne, that
of Shaun Carey, the spy. His make up and
acting were thoroughly villainous and while
he was really no more despicabe character
than Captain Beck, whose tool he was, the
word spy Is despised by every Irish heart,
and his deeds were as heartily Missed as was
his acting applauded. Miss Kate Neyland as
Rose Fitzgerald had difficult part to assume
but she made a decided success of it and won
the admiration of the audience. Miss Nellie
brisbane as Ileen O'Rourke, pretty Irish
lass and Barney's Shamrock, made favor
able impression and executed two very
pretty and artistic jigs which were heartily
encored. Miss Margaret Flavin as Nano
Desmond was also very good. Between the
acts P. M. Baker of Brattleboro sang patri-
did not do himself justice. Stephen H. Tyr
rell also executed a neat song and dance and
for an encore gave an excellent exhibition of
clog dancing, Frank Hadley furnishing an ac-
compartment on the banjo. Soldiers and
peasants and small parts were taken by
other members Of the parish and Miss Mary
Brennan presided at the piano in an accept
able manner. The costuming was excellent,
being supplied by Boston house, and the
make-ups were good. Over 5000 was cleared
by the entertainment, which will be applied
to the building fund of the new parochial
house.
Tuesday evening the company went to
Windsor and produced the play for the bene-
fit of the parish there, a crowded house
greeting them. AS on their appearance here,
the play was a success and everyone was
well pleased. During the evening Stephen
H. Tyrrell was presented with gold-headed
cane from his friends in this place. A few
from here went IN with the cOmpanV and
witnessed the play. An effort has been made
to get them to produce the play at Brattle-
boro and Keene, but no definite arrange
ments have been made.