The Washington herald., 1907-01-08
OPENING NIGHT AT THEATERS
Chhuncey OIcoft i'm a Sympathetic
Irish Role at the Columbia.


Irish Role at the Columbia.
At the Columbia Theater last night
Chauncy Olcott appeared in Eileen
Asthore," "A new play by Theodore Burt
Sayre, and his enthusiastic reception by
the large audience would indicate that
there is no immediate danger Of a decline
in the high degree Of popularity which
he has attained as an interpreter of Irish
sentimental songs and q portrayer Of
Irish character. Although to a great ex-
tent meiodramatic, the play is probably
the strongest vehicle which Mr. Olcott
has yet used. 1t tells the story In
direct. straightforward manner, and is
interesting throughout, some of the cpl
sodes and the name Of 'Corny Delaney"
recalling to the recollection the stories of
Hibernian life and character by Charles
Lever
The period OF the play is during the re-
beiliOn Of IS, when Castlereagh was At
the height Of his power and the Emerald
Isle was overrun with his secret police.
Richard Temple, impersonated by Mr.
OlcOtt is a young rake VINO has been
disinheTited by his father. and plunges
into a career of wild profiigacy, in the
midst OF which he comes in contact with
Eileen O'Donnell and falls head over
heels in love. About the same time, the
herOine's father, 10 whom the young
mans fortune had been left by his IN
natural parent. appears upon the scene.
and agrees 10 restore the inheritance If
the young man will mend his ways. Rich
ard promises TO do so. more for the sake
Of the woman than for the patrimonial
treasure, and things are going smoothly
when his future brother-in-law. Rodney
O'DOnnen, becomes involved in the En-
met conspiracy. and through the dupli-
city of a governess, aided by the schem-
ing OF Sir GeOfrey Lotus. who also aspires
10 Eileen's hand, he becomes a fugitive
and is finally cOrralled by the police in
Temples house in Dublin. In order TO
save his sweetheart brother, the latter
agrees. with certain reservations, to break
his promise OF abstinence. renOunce his
claim 10 the girl. and leave Ireland; but
by adroitly using the saving clause, he
CutWits the barUnet by effecting the out
laws escape, and everything rounds out
satisfactorily in the end. OF course, while
this is going on, the hero seiZes upon
every convenient occasion to burst into
songs embodying sentiments Suitable 10
the various occasions.
In the character Of Richard Temple. Mr..
Olcott Is enabled to give effective express
sion to the rollicking good humOT, with
/ q pathetic vein which distinguishes the
| Irish character. the delineation of which
constitutes, together with his vocal ac-
cOmplishments. his power as a popular
actor. Ee is certainly at his best in the
/ scenes involving the comedy element. and
/ his rendition Of his favOrite type Of music
| is always pleasing. Last night he inter
/ poIated Day Dreams. a new version of
/ The Wearing Of the Green" and Eileen
/ Ashore" which latter translated means
| Ellen. Ny Treasure the same forming
/ his most telling success. eliCiung long
continued applause. which eliminated in
| the customary curtain speech
Among the supporting company. Miss
Mildred Beverly deserves especial mention
I for her work as Miss Fitzgerald, the
| governess. She is able to show the work
/ ings Of revengefUl hate without recourse
I 10 rant OF other devices of the villainess
/ Miss Florence Lester is winsOme as
/ Eileen ODonneIl and Mr. George A.
/ Lessey is convincing in the role Of Sir
/ GeOfrey LOTUS.
! Corny Delany. the Irish man-servant OF
[ Levers romances, is portrayed with
/ unctuous humor by Daniel Jarrett. and
| the Widow O'Flannigan is amusing in the
/ hands Of Miss Laura AyTes. All the sup
/ porting company fits in very well, and the
! settings Of the play are adequate, the
whsle production affOrding ample oppOr-
tunity for an evenings enjoyment.