New Britain herald., 1917-09-25
News For 7hedter80ers and Women Readers
TWAS A GREAT
 DAY LAST NIGHT
At Least Twas That for Those
 Who Saw "Eileen" at Parsons

It was "a great day last night for the Irish.' At least it was such for those who went to Parsons theater in Hartford and saw Victor Herberts | romantic comic opera, Eileen" There are three acts required to l unfold the story of Eileen, ",-three acts, and ever so many songs. Yet there is no song in the entire play destined to win the heart of an Irish man in such full measure as this. 'The> Irish Have a Great Day To- night" That is the one the audience | comes out whistling.
 In this latest musical endeavor Victor Herbert has outdone himself. In a curtain speech last night,-he conducted his own score,-the noted composer told of his nfe's ambition,- 1 to write an Irish musical comedy. Suffice 1t to say, he has succeeded. MT. Herbert if needs be, can rest on l his laurels.
 The story of Eileen is simple and sweet; but we can best leave it to l synopsis which shows that the three l episodes of the story are laid In what | is perhaps the most romantic of all Ireland's romance,-the days of the l 1798 rebellion.
 l Captain Barry O'Day. who has
 
 in France, has returned to Ireland in hopes of raising some new recruits and joining French army which, under General Hoche, is soon to in l wade Ireland from the west and l march on Dublin. There is 8 price on Barry's head and two spies have 1 informed Colonel Lester and his "red-coats" that Barry is at the Black Bull Inn.
 Lady Maude Estabrooke, her niece, l Eileen Mulvaney, and Sir Reginald Stribling, who are driving in a jaunt- ing car from Sligo to thu castle near by appear and are somewhat roughly handled by tho peasantry who have no love for the quality at that time. Barry extricates them from their difficulties and they, in turn, by. ruse, save him from the red-coats.
 Barry then sees Eileen for the first time and immediately falls in love with her. The young lady, however, thinking him a groom, the disguise by which he escaped the red-coats, resents his seeming impertinence: ] Later she discovers his identity and , being then in love with him, she all
 but betrays him through her anxiety for his safety. She and Lady Maude again arrange clever subterfuge and Colonel Lester for the second time Is nicely fooled, only to- appear later, suddenly. and take Barry un- awares
 Through certain historical happen ings, however matters are straight
 ened out and Captain Barry takes his Eileen in his arms, while Lady
 Maude declares her love for Sir Reginald Stribling.
 As Captain Barry O'Day, Walter Scanlon Is superb Gifted with lifting Irish tenor voice MT. Scanlon has charms of speech and manner which will immediately win for him all lovers of the Irish character. His rendition of Ireland, My Sire Land" Is, if anything. comparable to John McCormack's work.
 Miss Irene Rowan in the title role has all the gifts needed to carry of tho part, what though her voice last night seemed not to possess the ,ne- cessary power.
 It was Scott Welsh as "Dinny Doyle" who caused most of tho laughter. And 1t was MT. Welsh who put over the big song hit of the evening, Its Great day tonight for the Irish.''
 "Eileen,'' starting on its tour of the year, should have no trouble winning audiences who have the least sn1at-' l tering of Irish.
 Others who won favor in the pre- sentation of their parts were Miss ! Olga Roller, Miss Josie Claflin, Miss Louise Allen, Algernon Greig, and 1 Edward Martindell. <