The Washington herald., 1908-01-19
THE WEEKS PLAYBILLS

"'aonat-"The Man of the Hour"
Ne national Theater will have one Of
vac biggest dramatic triumphs the coun-
mas known In years for its attraction
Iiiis week, when William A Brady and
Soseph K. Grismer viii make known here
George Broadhursts The Man of the
i1ouF. It's success every way has been
sensational. and it is regarded by many
1s the greatest disInctively American
oFama ever written.
ne play is in four acts. and deals with
the subject Of political graft in crisp,
powerful, and effective manner. 1t tells
story Of vital present-day interest
shllitully involving a tenders love story
with public affairs. It has many striking
and stirring situations. and the interest
is sustained to the highest pitch from the
very beginning 10 the final curtain.
The principal personages involved in the
plot are a high-principled young mayor,
his sweetheart, the niece Of a traction
magnate with evil designs upon the peo-
pies rights; a political boss" named
Horrigan, and Alderman Phalen, Of the
Eighth ward Wainwright Is engineering
traction grab, and the bull-necked Hor-
rigon, autocrat of the city, which might
be anywhere on the map Of the United
States is in on the deal and the steal.
All that is needed TO make a fortune for
both OF them IS a candidate who can win
IN the mayoTalty campaign, and he must
be used as a tool. Horrigan picks up a
dark horse-Alwyn Bennett, clean, tai
ented son Of one of the first families.
Fr- Sc liei1
some useful purpose in life, Bennett ac-
Cepts
Bennett is elected. and shortly after
taking office he has to take action upon
a tractien bin which has been passed by
the council He scents graft in the meas
ure and sees In il an attempt 10 force
perpetual franchise on the public. He
Vetoes the measure in defiance OF HOrTi-
gan and then falls out of favor with the
girl he loves, whose fortune has been in
vested by her uncle IN the new traction
companys stock. The fact that she will
be ruined If the bill Is not passed becomes
a weapon in the hands of the ring" to
strike Bennett and complcates the in
terest Thoroughly This absorbing pitch
of interest is engrossingly maintained,
reaching its climax in a thrilling fourth
act
The company to be seen here includes
Orrin Johnson. Miss Frances Ring. Rob
ert \. Fischer, Harold Russell. George c.
Staley Thomas Meighan, ". J. Deming,
Bennett SOuthaTd, Samuel c. Hunt Sam
uel Forrest. Frank Russell Basil West
Edward Culver Miss Mabel Van Buren.
and Miss Kate Lester.
Owing to the unusual demand for seats.
all telephone orders have beer. suspended
for this engagement There will be d
matinee Wednesday and Saturday
The CoIum mbia-s'O'Neim of Derry"
The scene Of "ONeu Of Derry" the
new romantic play by Theodore Burt
Sayre, in which ChaUnccy Olcott will be
seen at the Columbia tomorrow night. is
the famous old walled town OF London
derry. and the action takes place in the
latter part Of the seventeenth century.
Bryan ONeill. played by Mr. Olcott, is a
soldier Of fortune, an expert swordsman.
who has met and vanquished experts in
the art of thrust and parry in the capitals
Of Europe and returns to his native Lon
donderry for the purpose Of seeking an
encounter with Hugh Farrell, a local
champion. Sir Graham Croft. CROMWELL S
governor Of the town, has, however, pub
lished an edict forbidding dueling, nam
ing death at the ropes end as the penalty
therefor. Sir Graham secured his wife
through his clemency TO her father. driv-
ing her affianced lover Laurence Des-
mond, 10 France. and he believes that
Desmond has returned to Londonderry in
disguise TO hold d rendezvous with Lady
Croft, and lays a plot BY which a uris-
oner In the gaOl is promised his liberty
provided he VIII provoke Hugh Farrell 10
fight a duel with him. the object being
that with Farrelrs life as a forfeit his
haif-sisteT, Kate Fitzr0y, Lady Croft's
coni1dante, may be forced to reveal Lau-
renee Desmond's hiding place. Unwit-
tingly Bryan ONeHI, meeting the wretch
ed convict at the inn. agrees to take his
place and fight Farrell, which he does.
putting his own life in jeopardy but not
until he has met and fallen desperately
in love with Kate Fitzroy, not suspectIng
that she is the sister of the man he fights
How the young sWOrdsman OutWits the
governor and the canstabuary. battles
Sir Graham Croft. and wins the love of
Kate FitzrOy is the subject of the four
exciting acts. Tho play is we'll mounted
and in the course OF its action Mr Olcott
sings five new songs The titles are
Michael McGinnity" zone Little. Sweet
Little Girl" Every Star Falls in Love
with Its Mate" "A Rose of Old Derry. ."
and a Bowl Of Roses"