The Washington herald., 1913-01-21
THE COLUMBIA.
..rhr I.le o, pream..n

Few actors coming to Washington are
favored with such an audience as that
which greeted Chauncey Olcott when
he came upon the scene in the first act
of his latest play. "The Isle O. Dreams"
at the Columbia Theater- last night. 1t
was indeed a festive occasion, as Mr..
olcott put 1t in his little curtain speech
after the third act. The auditorium was
brilliant with the national colors and
intertwined with them was the green
flag of Erin. Beautiful young girls sold
handsome souvenir programmes and can
dies and chocolates In fancy boxes, and
judging from appearances did a thriving
trade, all for the benefit of the Northern
Dispensary and Emergency Hospital un-
der the auspices of the directors of
which institution the gala affair had
been arranged. All the boxes were filled.
and not a seat in the whole auditorim
was vacant Society was represented
by its shining lights; superb gowns and
flashing jewels were there In wonderful
profusion.
When Mr.. olcott was called before the
curtain and had delivered himself Of q
graceful little speech, In which he ex-
pressed his pleasure in having been able
to contribute his efforts to so worthy
cause. he was showered with magnifi-
cent bouquets. and when he complained
that he alone had not been asked 20
buy souvenirs and fancy candies. a num-
ber OF the pretty young saleswomen
came rushing down the aisles and Of
fered him their wares over the foot
lights. Mr. Olcott proved himself a gen.
erous purchaser. Not one of the young
ladies was allowed to go away unsatis-
fed, and bills Of large denominations re-
warded their zeal.
The vehicle with which Rida johnson
Young has furnished Mr.. Olcott this
season affords him every opportunity for
the exploitation Of his talents as actor
and singer OF ballads. The theme Of
The Isle o. Dreams" is not essentially
different from those with which Mr.. Oh
colt has heretofore familiarized his
friends and admirers. 1t would be un-
thinkable to picture him in any other
character than that Of rollicking.
brave. generous, self-sacriflcing Irish
lad.
The story is changed a little, but
that doesn't matter. Ivor, watf
thrown up by the sea, has been adopt
ed and tenderly reared by Mother Kel-
way. and has passed all his days among
the simple fisherfolk Of the island. He
has found favor also in the eyes Of
Kathleen ODoon, the daughter OF the
Islands laird, but she is too proud to
accept frankly the love he bears her.
Her brother. spy In the service OF
the French, comes to the island just
to see her once again. and his presence
there becomes known to the English.
Moved by Kathleen's entreaties. Ivor
aids the brother to escape. He him
self is arrested. but il so happens that
Col McFarlan. the commanding Eng
lish officer, is informed by Mother kel-
way that he ard Ivor are brothers
Ivor Is set free, kathleen at last de-
clares her love for him. and everything
is lovely.
or course the part fts our Chauncey
as the glove fits the hand. He is the
broth OF a bhoy" from A to lizard. He
keeps his audience alternating between
smiles and tears. and the songs he sings
have the same old charm. and had to
be sung over and over again. THE
Isle o. Dreams" Mother Machree,"
When Irish Eyes Are Smiling'-the
prettiest OF them aII-"Kathleen Aroon,"
and My Wild Irish Rose the last
sung as a feature Of the curtain episode,
are about as tuneful as any that this
singer of Irish ditties has In his rep
ertory. Right here it is proper to make
mention Of the unusually good orches
trail performance. and especially Of the
solos played by the 'cellist. Mr.. Benja-
min Kurland, and the violinist. Mr.. J.
Meredith Rosencrantz. Mrs. Jennie La
mont is a capital Mother Kelway. and
carries on a considerable share OF the
honOrs. Edith Browning is a most cap
tivating Kathleen. and Agnes Heron
Miller. the gifted daughter of Mr.. Henry
Miller, the producer of the play. gave
an interesting touch to the pathetic char
acter of Mona, a weakminded girl David
Glassford. as Col. McFsrlan, and NJ
Tello Webb. as Lanty Madden, a never
do-well. deserve special mention. The
other parts were generally in good hands.
The differenr scenes were staged with
the care and excellent good taste for
which Mr.. Miller is noted