The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1909-11-05
"RAeeEp ROBIN"

Ragged Robin is the play that is diff
ferent This departure from accepted Ora
matte types is the keynote of the prOduc-
ton in which Chauncey Olcott is play
ing the stellar role. 1t IS unity OF COM
edy, fantasy, poetry and song II mas thS
charm Of minstrelsy, the fascination OF
fairy lore and the human interest or a
true love story. The play suits the pecu-
liar talents of ChaGncey Olcott better
perhaps, than any that has been written
for the popular actor. 1t Is essenlially
Irish in atmosphere and temperament ana
is fitted to the personality of the actor.
giving scope for the display Of his versa
tile gifts
Ragged Robin combines rarely pa
thetic love story with the world of fairy
land. Humans and the little people
play their various roles, but the fairy
element is only incidental to the develop
ment of the plot. 1t is a real element or
life to the true Celt and this belief, en-
bodied in the play, gives Il its rare ana
unusual character. 1t is the legend or the
fairy well that casts spell upon the
clay. These waters bring union to low
ers If a man and a maid drink one after
the other, the fairy spell snail bind them
together through life and through death ~
Margaret and Robin, the Wanderer,
drink of the waters. but Margaret is al
ready betrOthed. Though 1t would have
been easy TO win the girl Robins honor
holds him back. He sees her married TO
his rival without losing faith in good
ness and the fairies. They are constant
and lead him by many paths back to
his sweetheart Her husband dies, her
father is reduced to poverty and It re
mains for Robin, who has been restored
to his inheritance, to save them from ut
ter restitution.
When the exquisite simplicity and
beauty of the play have been noted, when
it is remarked how excellent is the COM
pany and how splendidly the production IS
staged, there remains for consideration
that feature of Chauncey Olcotts dra-
matte work for which he is best known.
His singing of the beautiful Irish songs
which are his own composition, puts him
in class by himself. Romance, pathos,
tenderness in exquisite melody grip the
heart. Each is worthy Of mention, but
Sweet Girl of My Dreams is the one
that will be best remembered Mr.. Olcott
sang this one again and again and re-
peated the lines as he was called back at
the close of the last act.
1t is said that production of Augustus
PitOu's can be told by its beautiful scenic
effects. Certainly this holds true in this
presentation Of Ragged Robin No more
beautiful effect has been conceived than
that Of the apple orchard and fairy well
of the first act and IL brought round of
applause. The transformation scene Of
the last act is also rarely beautiful, and
every setting IS up to the standard
of the company there can be only words
of praise. Each part is taken acceptably
and some in a superior manner. Among
these should De mentioned the Margaret
of Rose Curry and the Andrew Grattan Of
Mark Price. Josie Claflin in the role of
Beth Meehan was a faYorite from the
first and gave the humorous relief which
the pathOs Of the play demands Also
there is COmrade by himself. He is a
love Of an Airsdale terrier that has no
small part IN the play. When Robin is
urged to give up his wandering life and
settle down he replies that he is willing.
bit that Comrade could not abide it. And
the sympathy Of the audience is with the
dog.
Ragged Robin by Chauncey Olcott Is
a noteworthy drlmatic event. Those who
fail to see 1t are losing a rare treat. It
must be seen to be appreciated. There
will be opportunity Friday and Saturday
nights and Saturday matinee at the Salt
Lake theatre