The Detroit times., 1910-11-23
THE STAGE
DETROIT OPERA HOUSE.

J Erin is having its inning in the De
troit Opera house this week Tor
Chauncey Olcott. that prince OF Irish
singing comedians. is paying his an
nual visit 10 this playhouse. Admirers
of the popular Chauncey were out In
goodly numbers, Monday night, 10
pay him homage, and conspicuous IN
the thrOng were representative Irish
Americans of Detroit. They were well
repaid for their journey through the
slush and falling snow, for Olcott was
never in finer fettle. his voice never
more mellow and his choice oil a
vehicle never more adapted to his
style of work
Barry OF Balymore" is the offer
ling. It's pretty little romance from
the pen OF Rida Johnson Young and
| the scene Is laid in and around Baliy-
more. ireland. in the latter part or
the Eighteenth century. The music
that runs through the piece is en-
trancing at times and its appeal is not
confined simply TO the sons and
daughters OF old Erin. The incidsStal
song numbers are veritable gems OF
| melody. with the Olcott Trademarks
stamped all over them.
Ii is quite impossible TO conceive e
OF play. with Chauncey Olcott in the
cast. that does not feature these irish
melodies, nor would one wish TO. The
emotional range OF the current piece
is great. The audience found itself
in the throes OF hysterical laughter
over Barry's pranks in the second act,
while in the very next scene many
of them gave way TO audible sobs as
they witnessed a touching scene be-
tween Barry and his devoted white
haired mother
Tom Barry, played by Mr.. Olcott, is
an Irish lad of lowly birth who, after
ne has gained fame and riches as an
artist. returns to Ballymore and
leases Bannon castle, together with
its large estate, where his father had
served AZ gamekeepr in Toms child
hood Naturally he Ia snubbed by the
| aristocracy of the neighborhood, In
cluding the Bannons, who are now
living in town. but he does not mind
the slurs and the insults to which he
is subjected for there is noble pur-
pose back Of his occupancy OF Bannon
| hall Lord Bannon. head Of the house.
had married an artist model in France
| in his younger days. only TO desert
her in six months. Four months later
| a little daughter was born and the
mother died leaving little Nanette, as
the child was christened, in the care
| of an old artist with whom Tom Bar
ry was studying.
| On the death of the aged artist.
| Nanette Is given into the keeping OF
Barry, who. knowing the girls par
entage, is determined that she should
come into her own. Ii is with this
| end In view that he leases Bannon
| castle and. by skilfully playing his
cards, forces Lord Bannon to acknow
ledge the girl AS his daughter.
In the meantime. Tom Barry has
| fallen desperately i'm love with Lady
Mary Bannon. whom the world be-
lieves is Lord Bannons only child
and whom Barry has been led to be-
lieve is the daughter of lowly bar
| Der. Mary spurns his suit and his
attentions 10 her get him into diff.
| hculties with Sir Edward Emery, who
| is supposed 10 hold first claim on her
affections A duel is the natural out
come. but before the meeting. Lady
| Bannon discovers that Tom Barry is
the man she really loves, in spite OF
Ills low Dlflu. anu ht SOVb w '"'V
| his adversary with her best wishes
| for a happy termination. Tom escapes
with a wounded wrist and the falling
curtain finds his one good arm about
Mary's waist
It's all very pretty and romantic.
Some might say that only Chauncey
Olcott could produce such a play and
get away with it, Be that as 1t may,
the piece is a dramatic gem as Olcott
and his capable associates present it,
and here's health and long life to
Tom Barry, OF Ballymore.
There is room for criticism in the
duel scene, where Barry displays un-
usual levity for a man who Is about
to face what he considers certain
death Aside from this. however, the
piece is practically flawless.
The cast includes a number OF tai
ented players. Miss Edith Johnson
as Lady Mary is thoroughly charm
ing. Mary tombstone is delightfully."-
cast as the devoted mother OF Barry.
The Lord Bannon Of George Syden-
ham is well done. and Miss Nesta De
Becker makes a noteworthy contribu-
ton as young Phadrig Bannon.
The piece is notable for Its stage
mountings, the duel scene in Bannon
wood being a remarkable bit of stage.
craft Olcotts best song hits are II
Love the Name OF Mary" and Mother
Machree."