Evening capital., 1903-11-16
"ROASTED' THE CRITICS.
Mr.. Pat Conroy Steps Before
The Curtain And Denoun-
ces Local Press.

Ou SaTurudy ulRtlI MtsTSc. OOuAoN
and Mack and their company termina-
ted their engagement IN repertoire at
the new Colonial Theatre by produc-
ing farce in four acts entitled Hum
bug, or A Game of Strategy. This
was, by far, the most successful fea-
ture of their sojourn in Annapolis,
and from a box Office point of view, 1t
is difficult to understand why the play
was not presented earlier in their en-
gagement. The farce is full of comic
situations, and affords the members of
the company opportunities to appear
at their best. There was not villain
in it, and yet, judging from the many
expressions of approval ON the part OF
the audience, the absence of monster
Of crime was not lamented. In fact,
the reception accorded this production
seems to confirm the statements already
made in these columns, that this COM
pany had better leave impossible melo-
dramas severely alone, and confine it
self to something of lighter and
more pleasing character.
The most agreeable surprise on this
occasion was the work of Mr.. Harry
X. Hamilton in part of some scope,
and one which did not require the de-
livery of heroic bombasts. His sudden
shiftings from the role of young
lover to that of a doting father were
well planned and executed. His wife,
Helene Reicka, also showed to advant-
age in light comedy part, and was
very pleasing to look upon. As
might have been expected, there was
considerable horse play, especially
when it came time to lower the cur
- .f al1
of an offensive character, and seemed
to please the audience immensely. 1t
may be added that Mr.. Mack, as a
loving and irascible father, is far more
convincing and agreeable than when
he assumes the inky robe of villain.
Mr.. Conroy, as usual, brought out all
the laughs that his part afforded.
During the intermission between the
third and fourth acts, Mr.. Conroy
stepped before the curtain, in his
makeup as an elderly gentleman with
side whiskers, and proceeded to de-
nounce the critics of the two local
daily newspapers. We regret that we
were not prepared for this episode, as
we should have liked to take down
Mr.. Conroy's remarks verbatim. As
nearly as we can recollect, however,
he stated that the dramatic critics OF
the Capital" and Chronicle" were
base and feeble imitators of AlanDale;
that they fell far short of Mr.. Dale in
that quality of their criticism; that
they should either be engaged in some
better business or stay at home; that
Messrs. Conroy and Mack drew larger
salaries than those drawn by any le-
gitimate actors Qegits Mr.. Conroy call
ed them), who have appeared at An
napolis this season; that our esteemed
friend of the Chronicle" was a fakir;
that we ought to be ashamed of our
selves for criticising the melodramas
produced by Messrs. Conroy and Mack,
because they were not worth CRITICS
ing; that we entertaieud some deep
grudge against Mr.. Hollebaugh, man
ager of the theatre; and that, in ad-
versely commenting on the perform
ances of Wednesday and Thursday
evenings, the Capital did not cor
rectly represent public opinion. Mr..
Conroy also carefully explained the
exact duties of critic and told us
how we had fallen into egregious
error in overlooking the peculiar
merits of his productions.
We do not know whether Mr.. Con-
roy's little lecture on criticism was
intended to be included among the
specialties mentioned on the pro-
gramme, but we earnestly advise that
it be made permanent feature in the
vaudeville department for the future.
Mr.. Conroy should roast critic in
every town his company plays on the
road. Heswill probably find plenty of
opportunity. The roast was great
hit with the audience, especially that
part of it secreted in the gallery.
Every telling point was punctuated
with tumultuous applause, and the
peroration fairly brought down the
house. In fact 1t may be said that
this little address before the curtain
was the stirring and brilliant feature
of Messrs. Conroy and Mack's engage
ment, even excelling in thrilling re-
suits the baying of the bloodhounds
in that clever and refined comedy en-