Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-03-23
"RICHELIEU."

the evening of March 16, by ST. Pat
rick's Literary and Dramatic society
of Sacred Heart college, assisted by
Miss Agnes D[alloy, of this city, was
in the nature of pleasant surprise.
It was we'll known before hand that
the members of the college club were
very capable amateurs, but their most
ardent admirers were hardly prepared
for the excellence of their work, as
shown in the staging of Bulwer-Lyt-
toms great romantic drama. From
the opening scene, in which the con-
spirators appear, to the final turn in
the action, by which the cardinal
wins back his influence over the dis
grace of his enemies, there was not
moment of WEAKNESS. 1t was a bril-
liant achievement throughout, brist-
ling with stirring situations and giant
action, full of intense excitement and
emotion.
The play was staged in a manner
worthy of professiOnals-the settings,
the costumes and the general ''make-
ups" being unusually appropriate.
Not little of the success of the enter
tainment was due, no doubt, to the
efforts of the perruquier, who made
the young actors appear like real
characters Of the time of Louis XIII.
The 'Hmake-up" of Richelieu was es-
peciaHy noticeable, and that of the
others was scarcely less remarkable.
The movement of the drama, of
course, would be interesting without
considering the accessories. The play
was so carefully prepared and the
characters were SO faithfully inter
preted that it is difficult to offer any
criticisms beyond unqualified approval.
The first act was remarkably well
done. There was a feeling of suspense
that some mighty forces might be set
in motion, that some powerful intiu-
ences would be set at work to
change the calm and dignity of the
scene to violent action and determined
contemplating The second act ad-
vanced the action, which gained
strength and interest in the third and
fourth and eliminated iu the grand
climax near the close of the fifth act,
wherein FRANCOIS, with never tiring
zeal, brings back the lost packet to
his master.
Collectively and individually the
members Of the cast deserved applause.
Richelieu, Julie, Joseph, Baradas, de
Mauprat and Francois were the most
conspicuous. Prof. Devanney as the
cardinal was remarkably effective.
He showed skill and experience both
in the correct reading of his lines and
in the little details of business, :"
which add so much Of naturalness to a
scene and which few amateurs thor
Oughly master His course scene"
ras fine piece of acting, for which
Miss Malloy as Julie de Mauprat,
Mr.. Sorg as Baradas and Mr. Salmon
as Joseph deserve some credit, in hav-
ing acted up so we'll to the cardinal.
Miss MallOy's Julie was well worthy
of the applause she received. She
supported Mr.. Hierlihy's de Mauprat
with marked ability. Her articula-
ton was faWless and her ease and
naturalness perfect. Her costumes
were rich and becoming. Without
Miss Malloy the play might have been
a success, but it certainly could not
have reached the excellence it did.
| Mr. SOrg made an ideal villain in
Baradas, and Mr.. Hierlihy as the fiery
soldier and lover was very effective.
Mr.. Salmon as Joseph and Mr.. Pierce
as de Beringhen the former especial
| 1,r 10 ofra 70 Il
and acted as contrasts to the severity
Of the cardinal and the earneStness of
de Mauprat and Baradas. Joseph S
"side-play" in the last scene was
cleverly done. Paul Brown as
FRANCOIS was the central figure of the
minor players. He interpreted his
role with rare ability and added a
touch of genuine feeling to the work.
He seemed to have his heart in the
part he acted.
Mr.. Mcneil as King Louis XIII.
Dill Shinnick as Duke Of Orleans,
Mr.. Pierce as de Beringhen, Mr..
Quirk as Huguet, Mr.. McGinnity and
Mr.. McCann as conspirators, Mr.. Fay
as captain Of the guard and as Andre
de Lorme, Messrs. Irving, Gleason
and GormleY as secretaries of state,
and Messrs. Reiss and Frazer as pages
added much in their several parts to
the success Of the play.
A very good musical program, con-
sisting of vocal and instrumental
selections, was rendered between the
acts by the Philharmonic club and the
Sacred Heart orchestra. A feature OF
the musical part of the program was
Prof. Thiele's cornet solo, which was
warmly encored. He responded with
solo from Arban, to which he played
the accompaniment himself.