The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-02-27
ADJUSTMENTS
"Molly Dear"

For many years Andrew Mack mas been a popular star in the east, by many considered the foremost Irish singing comedian in the country, but he must be an unknown quantity to the playgoers of Birmingham judging from the small house which greeted him at the Jefferson theatre last night when he opened an engagement of two nights and a matinee. Lent may have been partly responsible, yet the fact that MT. Mack, if memory is not at fault, has never appeared in Birmingham before, must have had great deal to do with his reception.
 With the possible exception of Chaun- cey Olcott, who has built up follow ing in the south by many visits, Mr. Mack has no equal in form of enter tainment in which he has been so suc- cessful that he has not found it nec-
 essary or worth while to make ex- tended tours. In New York his rep utation is secure and it is to be re- gretted that we in this part of the coun-
 try have not had an opportunity to
 become better acquainted with him. He
 is an actor of engaging qualities and
 has a voice of surpasslng sweetness.
 The play in which Mr. Mack is tour
 ing is an Irish melodramatic comedy,
 with perhaps more melodrama than com
 edy by Cecil B. De Mile, telling a
 story of old Ireland which holds the
 attention closely through four acts. MT.
 Mack is a comedian of rare poise and
 charm, but he can also act with slncerl- ty and impressveness in serious pass ages. There is much of the typical humor of Ireland and Irish character IT. the play, with picturesque Irish seen cry for a background.
 Dan O'Brien, of the American secret
 service, finds the girl of his dreams in Molly Kavanagh, lass Of Coupty Galway, whither he follows the trail ol supposed criminal. The trail leads to Mollv's brother, who killed a man in her defense, but other tangled threads are straightened out, involving an ex- press robbery in America With the re. suit that Molly's brother goes free ana ban does not have to take on his own i. broad shoulders the blame for naVlns, let his quarry escape through love oi Molly. There are some poignant mom- tents and an apunoahce ol r,'e,, The playwright has done his work vel and the actors brought out the lghts and shadows of the play to eAceHeh' advantage. .,,
 While MT. Mack was of course the dominant figure, he is supported by all cxceptionally able company. MISS reg rv Allen made Molly an appealing type of Irish beauty and in sevral strongly emotional scenes acquitted herself ad- nirably. Allyn Lewis did tine Dit oi | character work as Mickey Finn, ne'er- do-w.u. Miss Irene Gordon as Mag I.anahan portrayed another Irish type
 with marked ability and the two rugged l Fishermen. Joe Hurley. former safe ! hlower and Terence Cavanagh, were i ca n;tallv done by V. T. Henderson anc
 " T Townsend Martin Mallory, as Head Constable Radley, disguised as
 dsherman of Galway, was a good foil te
 his debonair chief, Dan O'Brien
 | Mir. Mack was evidently disappolht' | ed by the number of empty seats ane I so were those in the audience wno supposed that his reputation had preced' ed him and would insure a large house
 for the opening performance There Will he 2 matinee this afternoon and another nerformance tonight. Birmingham the | q treeoers who miss seeing Moliy Lear will certainly regret it.
 l Lyric
 l Imhof Conn and Ooreene in A rest house." are furnishing lots of fun q the Lyric. and Imhoff is one of the bes comedians who has graced the Lyrl' stage in sometime. "A Pesthouse" i a rollicking comedy, brimful of laughs and the clever trio never overlook al opportunity to entertain In presentinl