The Portland daily press., 1897-09-17
MuSlC AND DRAMA.
Chauncey OIcott,


booking for one of the attractions Mr.
Chauncy Olcott in Mr. Gus Pitou's delight
fully sweet and, wholesome comedy SWEEP
lnniscarra." 1t it refreshing for once 10
find an Irish drama that does not zeal
with the constant use of the shlilelah,
the overthrow of the redcoats ana the
wicked, cruel bailiff and solicitor. On
the contrary we have beautif al rustic
scenes. attractive love making and songs
that go straight to the heart. The large
audience-for there was large audience
present in house that seats more than
most Boston or New York theatres
that assembled in spite of the drenching
showers, was in close touch with the
performance, and the applause was con-
slant and spontaneous. This is the story
of the play: The period is the year 1912.
A wealthy young Irish gentleman, firing
Of London society, starts for tour
through Ireland. While in the village of
Inniscarra, on the River Lee, he meets
Kate O'Donoghue, VINO has undertaken
the tuition of the village children while
waiting for the coming of the new school
master whom she has never seen. Gerald
falls in love with her ON sight and mas
querades as the new pedagogue. Kate
loves him in return, believing him to be
a poor man. Her father, however, is de-
termined on a match between her and
Squire Creswick, a neighboring landlord,
whom he believes to be q man of honor,
while IN reality, Creswick is an adven-
turer who is seeking her hand to retrieve
his squandered fortunes by her dover.
Squire O'Donoghue has d brother in COM
rived at Cork. The latter sends the press
gang with the ostensible purpose of
pressing the boatman, but in reality to
capture Gerald and get him out Of the
way. The arrangements for the marriage
of Kate and Cheswick are then pushed
forward with all dispatch. Kate is told
that Gerald has accepted money from
Creswick to leave the country. Gerald,
however, escapes and arrives in time to
thwart the plans of Creswick, and when
he makes himself known to Kate's father
and exposes the trickery of Creswick is
at once accepted as a son-in- law.
The following is the cast of characters:
Gerald O'Carroll, Chauncey Olcott
Lawrence Eyre, Dublin attorney,
Paul Gilmore
Squire O'Donoghue, Daniel Gilfether
Capt. Robert O'Donoghue, J. L. Morgan
Squire John Creswick, Harry Leighton
Pat Quinn, a fiddler, Luke Martin
Michael, landlord of Shamrock Inn.
Charles r. Gilbert
Dennis Roach, hostile at the Inn,
JIG. Hickey
Geo. D. Hope
Boatswain of H. NJ. S. Dolphin,
Edward Richards
Pat Imogene Washburne
Mike, Ada Wander Gilbert
(Quinn's twins.)
Hogan, George Wallace
First Sailor, Frank Bum
Second Sailor, William Jones
Mr.. Donnelly, secretary,
Frederick Lander
Notary, William Howe
Kate o''Donoghue,
Miss Lorinda cambridge
daughter of Squire O'Donoghue.)
Bridget Quinn. Mrs. Lizzie Washburne
(Wife OF Pat QUINN
Nora Roach, Miss Eta Martin Baker
(Chambermaid at the Inn.)
A Fishwife, Miss Jeanette Terrell
An Old Mother, Miss Argyle Gilbert
Katie Mullen, Little Tottie
Danny Mullen, Marguerite Carr
Mr. Chaunoey Olcott possesses most de-
lightful personality. When he made his
entree in the first act as Gerald in his
French gray dress of that period, topped
with a white silk hat, the costume dis
playing his we'll nodded, graceful figure
to particular advantage, and accompa-
MED by his superb ST. Bernard dog.
Prince-who proved himself an actor of
no small merit-he met with cordial
reception, and when he sang his own
song. from which the play takes its name,
eSweet Inniscarra, his beautiful voice
and intelligent singing, brought down the
house, and he had to respond to an en-
core. In the second act, in the love scene
with Kate O'Donoghue, there was moth
ing stilted, but just the natural, manly
love making that comes from an innate
gentleman And it was this feature that
Il to be especially commended in Mr..
Olcott's acting, that he never, even IN
der the influence of anger, forgets he is a
gentleman. His scenes with the Quinn
twins, were delicious, and the merriment
of the audience was continuous while
they were enacted. His scene with Prince,
in which he confides to his canine friend
all his hopes and aspirations, was novel
and happy land the dog is to be congratu-
lated On his excellent conduct on that
occasion.
The opening scene of the third act, dis
closing Mr.. Olcott seated ON the table
with pretty little tot standing at his
back, her arms about his neck, and the
other children sitting and standing
around. while he sings, and the old
woman in her white cap and apron look
ing on, was one of the most effective
stage pictures imaginable. And another
exceedingly beautiful scene was the
glow where Gerald is discovered reading
a book with Princes Ehead just discern
ible at his side.
Mr.. Olcott possesses great magnetism.
He had his audience with him from the
ctart He has made a marked impression