Waterbury Democrat., 1901-12-14
AN EXCELLENT PRODUCTION.
That Was the Opinion of Every Per
 son Present at Columbus Hall.

AN EXCELLENT 1IAOOOOiAO~
 That Was the Opinion of Every Per
 son Present at Columbus Hall.
 There has never been an amateur performance in Naugatuck that could equal. not to speak of excelling, the production of A Celebrated Case at Columbus hall last night. This was the opinion expressed by one of the best theatrical critics i'll the borough and this opinion was general. Every seat was taken and many people were standing up when the curtain was rung up for the first prologue of the play and from that moment until the curtain descended on the last act the audience was treated to pleasing sur prises in the admirable work of the young ladies and gentlemen Of the cast. It is the first time in the his tory of the production that an anna teur company has produced "A Cele- brated Case" in such q short length Of time. Seven weeks was all that was allowed the director in which to. fit each to his or her part and how well the people in the cast responded to his instructions was demonstrated last night in the very smooth and interest ing performance. There were many people in Naugatuck who felt that the Young Mems Catholic Institute had bitten off more than they could chew in selecting such difficult play, but the most of those were present last night and they joined with the others in commendation for the really excel lent production. To-day the young people who took the various parts can point with pride to the production as the greatest financial and dramatic success of any that has ever taken place in Naugatuck by amateurs.
 The committee in charge of the ar engagements is deserving of much praise for every little detail was care fully attended to. The Waterbury Booking agency comes in for some of the credit, for the business manager of the concern, ID. l.. AIaloney, was the director of the play, and J. Matt Sul- livan, the secretary and treasurer, was the makeup artist. The costumes also at the last moment were procured through this agency and each charac- ter last night was a credit to the han diwork of the people of that agency. The stage hands must not be forgot ten. either. for to them was left the stage settings and how we'll they did their work was attested last night. The orchestra under Leader Ford as- sisted in no small way in making the scenes more interesting.
 Of the work of the people of the cast it is difficult to speak. for each must be given honest criticism and where sG kr-- cult to find words to commend them without making repetitions. The character of Count D'Aubeterre in the prologue and the governor of Provence in the play was in the hands. of Frank F. Kiely and his bearing, physique and actions made him a typical French commander and an ideal governor. Both roles were ably and satisfactorily filled. LaZare. the william in the pro logue and Count de MOrnay in the play were portrayed by Patrick J. Sullivan. Certainly it is no eXaggeration to say that this young gentleman never did better work in his life. Each charac- ter was on different lines, but the yer satile ability of the young amateur proved a winner. Denis O'Rourke in the hands of Frank P Nolan furnished all the comedy of the play and how well he did his work was easily seen in the frequent applause and laughter Occasioned by his witty sayings. It was one of the bright bits of acting of the night. George r. Hayes had the character of seneSchal of the village of Montague and while he appeared only in the prologue he took cut of inc character all that was in it and filled the role well. Edward Barry as fhe captain in the prologue and as the ser geant in the play. Joseph F. Neal as the corporal, Peter Wood as Josenh- and F. l.. Maloney as John Remand. each did what he had to do well. James F. AIaher had the difficult char acter of the lover. RaOul de Langey. but he more than surprised his friends at the manner in which he accepted the various points and sustained the character.
 Miss Minnie E. Sullivan had a dual role to portray and right well did she accede to the demands made upon her. As Madeline in the prologue and Ad- rienne in the play her work was ex- cellent and in her most difficult DOT tIons she showed the care and study she had given the parts. Miss M. k. Shea as Valentine certainly showed rare dramatic talent. In her strong scenes. particularly with her father, she kept the audience on edge. It would be difficult to pick one little flaw in that character last night. Miss Nellie A. O'Brien as the duchess could not have been fitted to a more suitable character. Stately and dienified at all times. her acting was one of the interesting gems of the evening. Miss Mamie Quinlan can congratulate her