New Britain herald., 1917-05-24
THE, YANKEE PRINCE
 PlEASES BIG. HOUSE
.Y.A. I. X. < B. Thespians Score
 Success in Cdhan Comedy .

IL uAs IL As VI Os AuVSPA0A0 OVVAV
 Success in Cdhan Comedy :
 For many years the Young Mems Total Abstinence & Benevolent societ: has put before the theater-going pub- lie of this city, performances by mem- bers of the organization augmented by friends, and has won fame which has been noteworthy. The various committees handling these affairs have. as a rule, confined the attrac- tions to drama, but the 1917 dra- matic committee believed in div,:- sion. Tn consequence . musical con- edy was decided on. The work of selecting . production which would please was the next step taken by tho committee and after scanning the list of past successes, George M. Co., hans greatest success, ''The Yankee Prince" was decided on. Then be- gan the work of moulding into . smooth working, order . galaxy Of performers to assume this important task. a we'll as large chorus. After several months of earnest attention to the training of Director Franklyn Smith. the doors of the theater opened last evening for the first nights performance of the play, aad once again history repeated, for the wisdom of the committed was shown by the manner in which the attrac- tion was carried out. It was indeed a treat for the critical first nighters and everybody left the theater with . broad smile of satisfaction evincins that the company pleased.
 While the attraction is tho usual Cohanesque. variety, with little plot but plenty of catchy music and wit ticism woven into the lines. 1t af- forded some of the entertainers . splendid opportunity of showing their versatility and they did in al- most faultless manner. Tho stoty deals with a Chicasoan in London who ia bsnt on securing for his twan- ty-year-old daughter . nobaenan. de- spite the protestations of his hfe part ner and tho daughter. who does net protest verbally but shows her dis- pleasure at the choice of dad on every occasion. In London h en American millionaire. Percy aprinEer tF.. w. Greene), who becomas sEnft- ton by the charms of Evelyn Field 1u8 \OQISS S0Lu0I1II0 W 0AOAAl &&AN SsAC remainder of the story deals with his eftorts to break down tho barrier set up by MT. Fielding (Edward J. Shee-s fey), aided and abetted by Mrs. Field ing (Miss Mae DiIlon).
 H6nors for tho pleasantly evoked by the working out of the plot are easily won by Miss Dillon and Thomas crean. tho latter portrayinE the char acter of Earl of Weymouth in . man. ner that would cause some of the pro- feasionAls of the present day to sit up and take notice. It was the hrst tims tiAt Mr. Creah -laad sought taeS-a plan honors and he scored In Henry. Irving fAshion. His enunciation of the twang of the typical English earl. dropping the h's when they shouldn't be, evoked much laughter. He also developed a decidedly ''Hsngiish'' walk, bah jove. Miss Diilon's role was probably the most dimcult of my of the female parts, but 1t seemed as if the role had been created for her. Miss Dillon's work was indeed . pleasure.
 Joseph Callahan and Miss Margaret O'Leary added to their laurels as the villain and villainess Miss O'Learv, Q favorite of other seasons, was ten- dered an ovation on her first appear ance on the stage.
 Others who made an impression were J. J. Bonney, E. J. shsehey, F. w. Greene. Miss Nina Butler, Andrew Basso, James Donahue, George Camp bell. l.. Cotter and Jere Coney. Of these Messrs. Greene and Basso and Miss Butler carried off the laurels. It was tho first appearance of Miss Butler and, in the role of female detective, she displayed enough abil- ity to hold down a job in the New York police department.
 The song hits of the evening were rendered by MT. Callahan and Miss OLeary. ''I'm Awfully Strong For You;" Miss Walsh and MT. Greene, "Me And My Gall" Miss Walsh, "I'nl Going to Marry a Nobleman," which was tableaued by several mem bers of the chorus dressed as brides and grooms. A duet by Misses Walsh and MT. Dillon received several encores, all deserving. Edward shsehey sang. America, I Raised a Boy For You" At the end of the first act the Spirit of '76" was depicted with Thomas White, William Sullivan, Larry Cot ter and Master and Miss McAloon, aS OHclo 08aA 0Au anASS A@OoTtys Qd1" ticipating. .t.
 Before the opening of the first act Mrs. Mary T. Crean rendered '"The Star Spangled Banner" with the eu- dience standing. and this tended to start the performances off in the right spirit. .&
 The work of the chorus was very clever. several pretty dancing num- bNrS being given. the work of the guards in Act II. being particularly good. Sixteen boys and girls sang a