The times., 1899-05-07
NntionnI-acharIe. o,MnIIcy.n

NntiouaI-"CharIes O'MalIcy."
One of the most singular circumstances
in the career of Wilton Lackaye who will
be seen here tomorrow night at the Ma
tional Theatre is in the fact that the clever
actor has never been designated as
heavy" a comedy" or character"
man, or by any other classification. In
whatever variety of role he has been seen,
MIR. Lackaye has been SO thoroughly ade-
quate that his ability battles description.
The man who could make hit as Jeffer-
son Stockton in ''Aristocracy' and follow
it with the assumption of the part OF
Svengali in "Triiby.'' who could please
alike in the titular character OF DIR. Be-
graff' and as Sir Lucius o'Trigger in The
Rivals" can hardly be labeled with lin
iting appellation.
Perhaps it is this versatility as much as
any other trait that has made possible
the stars success in Charles O'ala ley"
for the principal creation in that work is
one which runs the gamut of the emotions.
From farcical scene that fairly approach
es burlesque to bit of high comedy. and
through to a climax of dramatic intensity.
the Irish dragon is taken by the a6apter
of Charles Levers novel, Theodore Burt
Sayre, until one who merely reads an ac-
count of the piece is disposed to doubt
that any Thespian can appear to advan-
tage in 1t. That Mr.. Lackaye does this.
however, will be attssted by those who
saw his impersonation when the presenta-
ton was tried last year at the Lafayette
Square Opera House.
The plot of the play differs in a marked
degree from that OF the book, beginning in
a Dublin ballroom. Charles OMalley. a
penniless and reckless soldier, who makes
love to every woman he sees, DISCUSSES
himself as Judy AcCann, an eccentric
splnster. and so wins a wager by kissing
Lucy Dashwood In winning the wager,
however. he loses his heart. and In the
next act the Eo,d diasoJn is further wouad-
cd in duel with his rival. Captain Ham
mersley. Miss Dashwood. who has not
pretended to care for her suitor while for
tune has smiled upon him. confesses her
love in the moment Of his distress In the
third act the scene is shifted to Barcelona,
where the British army is encamped. Cap
tain Hammersley becomes aware that
o OMalley has in his possession a letter
from the wife Of his commander, and SO
accuses the Irishman OF being in co-re-
spondence with the enemy. To screen the
woman O'Mallcy throws the doubtful doc
ument into the flames. and so is arrested
and seat to prison. Finding a file in his
cell. the warrior manages to free himself,
and. upon coming face TO face with his
tradueer. kills that scouEdrel in comba;
as extraordinary as it is novel.
In giving this story dramatic presenta-
tion Gr. Lackaye has the assistance of
supporting organization which is said TO
be of unusual excellence. Among the
members of this company are Joseph XII
gour. Palmer Collins. Joseph Whiting.
Nenifss Johnstone, Claude Gil-ingwater.
Arthur Maitland Joseph KeGfe. Agnes
Pose Lane. Olive May and Alice Evans.
The costumes used are mentioned as be-
ing especially elaborate and scenery for
the production was especially painted by
Joseph Physioc who is acknowledged 10
be one of the most capable knights of the
brush in New York.