Waterbury Democrat., 1901-04-09

\ J . x
 lie," makes his appearance in this act
 in n very sensational manner, predict
 ing for jack q life of sorrow and un- faithfulness of "Nance' to him. He
 bursts into q rage of dialogue that
 brings the entire house to the closest
 attention and sweeps it with applause when he retires. Mir Delaney was one
 of the stars of the production. Though
 he has often appeared in St Josephs plays before, he was never crowned
 until last evening as success. The
 wedding supper scene in this act is pretty. Landlord Swirrup makes Il
 speech and the groom, Ben Chibbles,
 replies. The merriment is disturbed
 by "Jem Dage," (ThoInas Doyle) accus- ing e"Nance' of unfaithfulness. A sensation is the result and Ben and Jem come to blows. Tn the height of
 the confusion Jack appears and hears
 the accusation, but retires, not beliey. ing it. The situation is acute now with interest. The amateurs arc verging on the professional and the
 ground Is dangerous, but all come out
 with flying colors and the curtain goes
 down.
 And so the play progresses. While Nance is plotting to surprise Jack by
 paying off the inevitable mortgage by
 which Messrs Lezzard and Kridge, the former in love with Nance, are able
 to keep their hands around the young couples throats, Lezzard is planning
 the destruction of Nance. The re- Isemblance between the unknown sis ters, "Jess," the gypsy, and Nance"
 lends itself skilfully to Lezzard's itl- tentions. Ill the following scene be- tween Jack and Nance, who has now
 paid off the mortgage unknown to
 Jack, the stage ability Of both is drawn
 out fully. The blind fury of the hus-
 band, the innocence and ignorance of
 Nance as to the cause of Jacks pas sion, is very well done. They arc part
 ed. Tn the next act Nance appears il,
 black. Jack has gone back to his old
 life in the wine shops. The dual role
 of Nance and Jess is played well. The
 scene in the wine shop, where Tom throws off Jess brings down applause.
 and finally, when Jess, discarded and
 broken, seeks refuge in the river, as
 Jack is thinking of doing, the same re suits in bringing out the truth of Leg
 zard's character and Iess's death.
 The rest is the closing scene and the development of honesty above false 1 intrigue, and the curtain goes down for the final time on n happy home. with Jack and Nance as the center of admiration. The minor characters in 1 1Hoodman Blind" are numerous Miss Della Larkin as Bob Swirrup' was excellent. while Martin Byrnes as s'In- spector Jarmain," must have got some tips from the local cops. Miss Lucy Freney as From Tit' was all that could be expected of the part, even his in sparable companion, N n pretty fox ter Irier, being well up in his part. He
 came to grief. however, in the hurry
 of a change in the dark. And ssKit," child of Nance and Jack, little Miss Anna Mulligan, was remarked by all for her adaptability and smo0thness. Polly Chibbles, as played by Miss
 Mary Dwyer, the worthy spouse of Ben, !" whose accent. by the way, was very good, played her part with all the good results that could be expect ed Miss Jennie NJ. Lyons. in the dual role of "Liz" and Granny Quadlings"
 was very good, though the part did not call for the center of the stage very often. Mrs Beaver" and Kit Lty," by Miss Julia I4arkin, was also very good Patrick Cavanaugh, Ed
 ward Rush and John Reynolds, as sEphriam Chawner," s'Afr Jelks'' and s'Footman.' though not conspicuous
 parts, were we'll done. The singing by the Excelsior quartet was excellent. l William !. Hughes appeared in place of Alfred Darling. {. The breakdown man was all right, only he did not l dance enough. The receipts of the l performance were large. Everybody appeared to be satisfied with the per formance from the first to the last line.