The Detroit times., 1910-11-22

pGTROtT.
Erin is having It's Inning in the De
troit Opera house this week for
Chauncey Olcott. that prince OF irish
singing comedians. IL paying his an
nual visit TO this playhouse. Admirers
OF the popular Chauncey were out In
goodly numbers. Monday night, 70
pay him homage, and conspicuous III
the throns were representative irish
Americans OF Detroit. They were well
repaid for their journey through the
slush and falling snow, for Olcott was
never in Amer fettle, his voice never
more mellow and his choice OF 9
vehicle never more adapted TO Ms
style Of work.
Barry OF Ballymore'' 10 the ofer
ing. It's q pretty little romance fros,
the pen Of Rida johnson Young ano
the scene il laid in and around Baiiy
more, ireland. In the latter part OF
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 incidental
song numbers are veritable gems OF
melody. with the Olcott Trademarks
stamped all over them.
II 10 quite impossible to conceive
Of q 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. IL
an Irish lad OF lowly birth who. after
he has gained fame and riches as ar
artist, returns to Ballymore and
leases Bannon castle, together with
| its large estate. where his father hac
served as gamekeepr in Toms child
hood Naturally he 10 snubbed by thS
aristocracy OF the neighborhood, In
Gliding the Bannons, who are nov
living in town. but he does not mind
the slurs and the insults to which ne
is subjected. for there Is noble pur
pose back of his occupancy of Bannor
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 latei
little daughter was born and the
mother died. leaving little Nanette. az
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 o.
Barry. who. knowing the girls par
entage. Ia determined that abe should
come into her own. IL is with this
end in view that he leases Bannor
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 in love with Lady
Mary Bannon, whom the world be
lieves is Lord Bannons' only chile
and whom Barry has been led to be
lieve is the daughter of a lowly bar
Der. Mary spurns his suit and his
attentions to her get him into diff
fculties with Sir Edward Emery. who
is supposed TO hold first claim on he
| affections. A duel Is the natural out
come, but before the meeting. Lad,
Bannon discovers that Tom Barry Il
the man she really loves. in spite o
his lowly birth, and he goes to fac
his adversary with her best wishes
for a happy termination. Tom escapes
with a wounded wrist and the fallin,
curtain finds his one good arm abou
Mary's waist.
It's all very pretty and romantic
Some might say that only Chaunce!
Olcott could produce such play ant
get away with IT, BE that as II may
the piece Is dramatic gem as Olcot
and his capable associates present II
and here's health and long life t.
Tom Barry. OF Ballymore.
There is room for criticism In thu
duel scene. where Barry displays un
usual levity for a man who is abon
to face what he considers certain
death. Aside from this. however, thu
piece In practically fiawless.
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 we'll done. and Miss Nesta d.
Becker makes noteworthy contribu
ton as young Phadrig Bannon.
The piece Is notable for its stag
mountings. the duel scene In Bannoi
wood being a remarkable bit of stage
craft Olcott's best song hits are -
Love the Name of Mary" and "Mothe
Machree.