The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-04-03
THE STAGE
LYcEuM.

-
Irish plays and playlets seem to
be quite in vogue in the local play
Ihouses these Lenten days. The latest,
and 1t can be truthfully said, the best
offerfng OF its kind that has made its
appearance this season, is Theodore
Burt Sayre's Celtic play. The Wear
Ing Of the Green" with Fiske O'Hara
Al the stellar role, which Is now cur
rent In the Lyceum theater. The pro-
auction Is distinctly Irish In charac-
Ter, the comedy throughout Is clean,
Wholesome and refreshing. and Mr..
O'Hara's songs, which feature each OF
the four acts, are a genuine musical
treat His best number is "Norah
MCNAMARA" which brought demands
Tor encore after encore, Sunday after
noon, and started the gallery whist
ling In unison. Mr.. O'Hara appears
.nnder the direction OF the Celtic
Amusement Co.
The play tells the story OF gal
Iant Irish youth, Philip Fitzgerald,
who 10 disinherited by his wealthy
nrandfather. Squire Fitzgerald. be-
cause he will not give up Norah DON
ovan, q gifted but struggling artist.
He has incurred the enmity of one
Gill McDougall by interfering in one
OF the latter's love affairs. A duel re-
suits, but neither of the combatants
IL seriously wounded. Then McDou-
gall, determined to have revenge
In some manner. attempts to prevent
Norah from marrying Philip by threat
oning to lay certain information be-
fore the authorities that will serious
" involve her father. The girl re-
fuses his terms, whereupon the I'M
scrupulous McDougall demands money
- the price Of his silence.
Confronted with the alternative or
paying McDougall 500 pounds within
four days. or seeing her father dis
graced, Norah finds a note from Phil
1p'e grandfather on the mantlepiece.
offerfng her 500 pounds II she will re-
fuse to marry his grandson. She tells
the whole story to Philip, who. like
mis- sweetheart, Is practically penni-
less. A CLEAN OF hope penetrates the
gloom that threatens to blight their
young lives when Manager Connolly.
Of the Dublin Hall OF Harmony, who
has been attracted by Philips voice.
offers the latter a place on his bill TO
4ucceed q popular star with whom he
hal quarreled.
The third act shows the stage OF
the music hall. The deposed stars
friends are out In force, determined
20 hiss down the new conner. Twice
the curtain Is rung down on Philip
when he attempts to sing. As last
resort, he determines TO appeal to
their patriotism. The period repre-
scented is that Immediately following
the execution of Robert Emmett, when
Il was all an Irishmans life was worth
20 sing such song as The Wearin
o, the Green" But young Fitzgerald.
driven TO desperate ends, seizes the
irish flag. and, waving IL proudly over
his head, breaks forth into the for
hidden melody amid tremendous ap-
plause from the make-believe audi
ence Thus he brushes his enemies,
becomes a popular hero, and, in spite
pf his reckless daring, lives TO wed
The girl he loves.
n Mr. O'Hara, OF course, Is Philip
and measures up TO the part histrion-
lcally as well as vocally. Miss Marie
Quinn, an exceedingly dainty and at
kractive miss. acquits herself with dis
tinction as Norsh. Charles p. Rice
ulisplays ability in the unpopular role
OF Gill McDougall, playing the part
with fidelity. Miss Isle Bloodgood
contributes an interesting bit OF char.
octer work as Mrs. O'Callahan, and j.
n. sullivan II well cast as Squire Fitz-
herald. The minor parts are well
handled for the most part.
LAFAYETTE.