Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-03-18
"A CELEBRATED cAsE."'
Waterbury Amateurs Rival Profes sion als in the We'll Known Emotiona
 

"A CE BRA ED CASE.
 Waterbury Amateurs Rival Profession
 als in the We'll Known Emotional
 Drama.
 It will be no surprise to the public to learn that the opera house was crowded to its utmost capacity Saturday night to wit ness the presentation of "A Celebrated Case" under the auspices of St Joseph's T A. society, for it was known that every seat in the building had been purchased
 within twenty-four hours after the tickets
 went on sale. The selection of "A Cele- brated Case" for the eve of St Patrick s day was a happy hit, for the play has pc cuhar interest for the Irish people, inas- much as 1t deals entirely with the heroism of the textiles of the Gaer on 'the con.i nent of Europe. The scene of the play is laid at Fontenoy, small village in Bel. gium, where the Irish troops under Lord Glare won signal victory for the French government over the allied forces of the English, Dutch and Austrians on May II, 1745. Thomas Davis, the fervid Irish poet and patriot, immortalized the vaior of his countrymen on this occasion in un- dying verse, and the rsndition of his ode, ''Fontenoy, from the stage Saturday night by Edward l.. Malcney, while the few sur
 vivors of the awful conflict rested besids Ithelr weapons on the hloodstained field, was given with vim and force From tue time the curtain was rung up on the first act until the closino scenes of the drama, the audience was held spellbouud Where all are in the superlative degree it would seem useless to particularize, and the audience seemed to realize this fact and applause unstinted end flowers in abun- dance were showered on the different ac- tors. Edward l.. Maloney. as John Rep- aud, whether acting the dashing soldier on the banks of the''laZy Scheldt" or the Icondemned criminal in the galleys at Brest, was equal to his difficult role,
 Miss Kate Gloster, as Madeline, created a very favorable impression in the prologue, the scene at her death being especially affecting. Little Lucy Freney, the five year old daughter of President J. II. Ere lney of the society, as Adlienue, in the pro- lloeue, was the wonder of the evening AL though a mere tot she recited and acted
 her part in way that won the admiration of all. John A. Somerville as Count IDAubeterre was the autocrat of the hour, and acted It to perfection. w. A. McEn' lnerney, the Irish sergeant, was the life oi
 the play, and his witticisms provoked many Ia smile. He acted his part cleverly. Count De Morney and LaZare were we'll impcr-
 sonated by ]. T. Fox. He assumed the role
 of an unpopular character, yet he dld it SC
 ,killfuliy that he was admittedly among
 the most popular and successful particl
 pants iu the drama Miss Mary E. Smith
 IS Valentine De Morney. daughter of Count De Morney, was called upon to perform '
 heroic act She was lmpelled by Il sense
 of duty to bear testimony to the treachery Iof her father. and did it in Il manner
 which won tho commendation of the
 audience. Her actions wore perfectly natu
 ral. Miss Lizzie Delaney, As ChauiOnesse O
 the college, dressed in the sombre costume lof her order, was d, lightful characte land her calm. demur" aspect did not dete
 her from declaring lu no uncertain tom when she was called upon to bear testlmon,
 against the treachery of the bogus Coun
 De Morney. But perhaps the characte which created the most favorable lmpres
 sion, and the one round which the greates interest centered. next to Renaud. Wa IAdrienne, assumed by Miss Della O'Hearn ] The role called for an actress of more thai
 ordinary talent and Miss O'Hearn demon istrated beyond peradventure that she pos Isesses 1t. The part h full of emohona effort, fine touches of human nature ant ''replete with struggles of great self sacrifice She an admirable adaptation for rol of thIs nature and there Was a com liplete absence of atfectation in the acting l The critics awarded her the palm as tn most pronounced succSesS that has ever ap eipeared In that character on the local stage professional talent included. Miss Mari sICorcoran as Duchess D'Aubeterre, bore he lofty position with becoming dignity am 'Iher counsel to her adopted daughter wa sIgiven with an earnestness which betokene extreme sincerity. Miss Minnie O'Conno
 as Martha. Miss Clara Mcknight as Louis and Julie and Miss Mamie Quinn as Annett ! Iappeared to good advantage and showe el that they are capable of assuming mor } difficult roles than the ones assigned ther lon this occasion. J. J Conway, as sene ) Ichal of the village of Montagur. acted |
 good advantage part which good man would like to be assigned. He woed an ] won the dukes adopted daughter an 1Idoes not pander to titles. T. F. Hayes. a s sergeant of the guard. and S ]. Butler n t captain of the kings own. and Joseph, Q servant, showed a thorough conception ( = their parts. John J. Mcdonald was mant : ger and Edward l. Maloney stage directo f and the artistic and financial success Of th -play was due in great measure to thel
 efforts. The music by Bergen's orohestI 7 was inspiring and the leader must hay v remembered that it was near the dawn ( the national holiday for the musical pro p gramme which prcdeded the performanC !. was a rare treat and ssthrew the audienc - into happy wood.