New-York tribune., 1916-02-17

forI k,ifarfan ,..........W william J. Kelly
Ms EIha5e,h iIilpsrty Floriao A,aold
Pastor Paul KNOX ....... ~. - r,'-
Anthony Befesford .B,ahioh iyism ,
Blind Man ....-......-.-''''.'..''' 'aiA'' ''s''
"The Melody OF Youth" is a comedy
overfowing with milk and honey. 1t
is a bit Of sentiment laid in the Ireland
Of 1880, a play that tells a harmless
little story in a harmless little way.
II is a comedy with which il Is impos-
sible to quarrel-for the simple reason
that IL does not work one up TO the
requisite heat for argument. Here and
there it contains a humorous line, but
il ripples through its trio Of acts with
out giving one even the semblance OF
dramatic moment IL Is as mild as
cup of tea-tea, incidentally, into which
the author has put too many Jumps.
The author of this bit OF romance
and also the principal actor therein, IS
Brandon lyman. For many years Mr..
lyman has ever and anon acted In our
midst, and for the most part he has
been an exceedingly good actor. In the
course Of these years there never mas
was illegally harboring a play. Not
until the organization Of a new produc-
ing firm. a combination seemingly er-
fected for the express purpose OF pro
ducing Brandon Tynan's play. was the
deception discovered. The members Of
this intrepid band are George c. Tyler
and James X. Hackett, both members
Of this club
Mr.. Tynans comedy is far from an
amateurish job, and there is no reason
In the world why he may not continue
to hold up mis- head. But he may not
hold il anv higher than he has been
accustomed TO in the past, for The
Melody of Youth" though It does not
shame him. reflects upon him not the
slightest ray OF glory. Il merely leaves
the condition alphabetically status quo.
The scenes Of Mr.. Tynan's comedy
are laid in the ireland Of Chauncey
Olcott and Fiske O'Hara, the Ireland OF
harps and shamrocks, of long-tal led
coats and sentimental ballads. In TINS
picturesque setting he tells the story
Of Anthony Beresford, divinity stu
dent. and Cathleen Linnett, his ward.
How Cathleen was loved by a divorced
man, and how she believed for two acts
that she returned his affection. How
Anthony and the divorced man fought
a duel. and how Anthony gave up a
promising career as a priest 20 marry
his ward. And of how the melody OF
youth played on forever in their hearts.
IL is all very pretty and sweet and de-
sir-ble. but it quite fails 20 touch the
heart OF the auditor. IL is merely that
the vital spark is missing.
To interpret this placid piece one Of
the best casts of the season has been
assembled. Brandon lyman was scarce
ly romantic figure, but his perform
ance on the whole was thoroughly
capable. Lily Cahill, unfortunately,
was badly miscast as the wayward
ward. If ever the spirit Of romance
we're to cross the footlights, this role
called for a bubbling, unsophisticated
ing6nue, one who could seem to swing
blindly from one love adventure 10 an
other without realizing the cOnse-
auences of her acts. Miss Cahill did
the best that she could have done; she
was merely not the type. The one
actress who could have played the role
TO perfection, and possibly have saved
the play. sat in the audience. Her
name is Laurette Taylor.
The remainder of the acting was eX-
cellent. James O'Nell walked on and
off the stage in the second act, playing
a blind beggar as his tribute to the
author, his friend. Florine Arnold was
a positive delight as a chronic pessi-
mist, scoring almost as emphstically
as did Haidee Wright in THE Two
Virtues That excellent actor George
Giddens looked and acted the part as
Pastor Paul. William Harrigan was a
dashing and real Irishman, and Will
lam j. Kelly fine Lord Kiltartan. Eva
Le Galliene added to the favorable i'm
preston created by her work in
Bunny" Charles Mccarthy and
Maggie Holloway Fisher were more
than satisfactory.
Messrs. Hackett and Tyler have sup
piled the play with handsome scenery,
as well as good cast, and it seems too
bad that it must all be in vain. Pos
sibly, however, there is a future for
"The Melody of Youth" on the road.
Throughout the evening there was
such free and easy discussion OF
corpses that occasionally one could not
help thinking that William Necker had
had a hand in the rehearsals.