The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-02-07
THE MANXMAN STAGED ]
LARGE AUDIENCE ENJOYED FERMENTATION OF BOOK.
James o'Neill and Company at the Montgomery Theatre-Miss Buck ley Won Hearts of the
 Theatre-goers.

The gloom and depression of The Manxman." made 1t serious subject for the dra ma tist but tho versatile Hall Caine arose to the occasion and his prosaic story of the interesting Isle of Man. abridged to suit the exigencies of the stage, makes an intensely soul-stirring play.
 This was undoubtedly the verdict of large and cultured audience at the Mont gomery theatre last night on the premier presentation here of the drama This cultured audience went to the theatre prepared to pay homage to the dramatic art of James ONeill It left the theatre vowing it's regard for Miss May Buckley. a vinsome young woman. new to these parts. who proved her right to be styled an eminent actress.
 Chief in interest to book lovers was the dramatization of the story. In writing the play Mir. Caine and Wilson Barrett, who collaborated with him. took the charac- ter at the dramatic moment when Pete Quillian had decided to declare his love for Kate Creesan. daughter of Caesar Creegan the religious innkeeper, who had long been his master. This incident is the beginning of the play.
 Pete" in his honest simplicity calls upon Philip Christian. his lifelong friend. to intercede for him with Caesar. He has not realized that Kate has learn ed to think much of this friend who, in birth and prospects, is ,so much above either of them. and that. Philip has looked with great favor on the inn-keepers daughter, pleads for Pete" Caesar re- but Kate, piqued at the action of Philip. sends him away to seek fortune in a happy frame of mind because she prom ises to marry him on his return.
 Pete returns after an absence of years, only to be betrayed by those in whom he had placed his trust. Philip, his friend, in whose care he has left Kate has been far too attentive to her, and she has be- come the talk of the village and sub- ject of insult by Philips registering cous- in. Philip has felt safe from his friend because rumors have come of the death of the wanderer in the African gold fields. All ere surprised by the return of Pete. Kate pleads that Philip shall marry her and face his friends, but he refuses to marry his old companion.
 Pete showers love Ipon his wife and provides her with fine home and has been made supremely happy by the ar- he cannot make Kate happy. Pete is full of love for Philip and is the leader in the demonstration that marks his induction into the office of Deemster. or judge. He asks Philip to visit and cheer his wife.
 Then to Philip the wife reveals the req son of her sorrow. She is living a lie with Pete ard her child does not belong to him. Phiiio leaves her to hear him. self hailed as a great hero. Kate flees. but has not the heart to take away the baby and so deprive Pete of everything. So Pete comes home from his jollification to find only the little one left to him. Even then he remains loyal. however. for he tells the scandal-mongers who come in that Kate has merely gone to visit an uncle in Liverpool.
 Conscience works it's revenge on those who wronged him. Kate has fled to Philip and he has hidden her-but it is in fear, not in love. that they live together. To Philips home comes Pete. not with suspicion, but to show how eager he is to defend Rates character. He has letter which he says he has received from her. but which Philip knows has been written by himself. His trust is another brand for the burning conscience Of the guilty pair.
 Pete learns how he has been betrayed when Kate. unable longer to remain away from her baby, steals again into his home. He finds her there and wrings from her the confession that breaks his heart-the truth about he" betrayal. In this mo- ment, however. he rises above his own passion, and in his pure love for her shields the woman who has been so faith less to him.
 He takes his own sublime revenge at the last when he leads the erring woman to her father and makes the canting Cae- say take her in. It is then he learns the full facts. for Philip confesses that he is guilty Pete would kill him except for the interference of Caesar. In the end. however,, he takes himself away to ind new and better life free from deceit. and leaves the guilty ones to live out their blasted lives.
 MT 0. NeiI is ever virile and he gave a fair presentation of Pete Qulillan. marred only by frequent lapse as to his lines. This is unpardonable in an actor of the accomplishment, expensive and talent of MT. Q Nell The jumollng or words caused one to awake to tho realiza- ton that he was merely witnessing an actor and destroyed the illusion.
 hn rnanhnd perfection of art which she has un- doubtedly attained through the hardese work and deep study of the emotions which wrung the poor little ManX maid She felt every word she uttered ana she made the audience feel. She was liv- ing suffering loving Kate Creegan This Is the highest tribute that can be laid at her feet.
 Ilebler X Co. the astute and far-seeing proaucers of ,hc pays have in this young woman what, m theatrical parlance is termed "a md. Her name will un- Qouutedly appear ill larger type next sea son.
 The supporting company was good The Caesar C.,egdn of Mir. Kent waS stage mosaic as Mas tEc Nancy of Miss Annie N o5d. 1ncsc character parts were as signed to players who save them an eX- t,.Iai,e DGlSn.
 Mf. khgour, as Philp Chrlstlan was suited at tImes, and ialled altogether in lhe paTIing scene If the East act. lie haS cone better work than this.
 Barring tho perfect Vo, K of Miss Buck ley, Mss Wood and MT. Kent, the com pany neSds rchais3i
 1t may bc harsh to sound d note of tich- nj .aI discuId when th" pay was so well deceived and so thoroughly enjoyed. but the IInpeII. Ctic.s npttd were too appa- rent to pass uan9tiVcd.
 The scenic inv .stmcnts were beautiful Eacn scene was 2 picture and they were frequently applauded.
 Mir. O4Iei.l was rev lrded by numerous curtain calls.