The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-12-03
"IRENE," JOYOUS SHOW
 AT THE JEFFERSON

The much heralded Irene" more than lived up to it's reputation at the Jefferson theatre last night It is the smartest. brightest musical show seen in Birmingham in a long tine A per formance that lasted until 11:30 o'clock was a continuous delight and when the final curtain fell, instead of the sense of boredom one usually feels at the end of musical comedy, there was regret that it didn't last longer. That is as much praise as could well be given. Irene" is distinctly something differ ent and so superior to the usual style of such entertainment that one can easily understand why it is still cur rent In New York after being played there continuously for more than eear.
 Another point in it's favor is the un- usual excellence of the company, Ye press agent spake truly when he said the cast is of the kind seldom seen on the road. The music of 'Irene'' is ir- resistible. It steals upon ones senses and fastens itself on the memory. And as for comedy. It Is abundant. It is the sort of comedy to match Hitting airs pretty love story and dancing it was joy to witness.
 Catherine Mulqueen, endowed with beauty, grace and charm, was Irene, the SllOp SlTi whose dreams come true, a modern Cinderella who is lifted from sordid surroundings to wear lovely clothes, merely for advertising pur- poses, 1t is true, but she finds the prince and lives happily ever after. Eugene MacGregor, by his extraordi- nary dancing and his ability as a com edian, was largely responsible for pro- longing the performance. Encores were so numerous and so insistent. it seemed that fho plIdinnCo Nnn1d nn much of him. The fact that MT. Mac Gregor played the part of an effemi- nate ladies' dressmaker and made 1t funny without being offensive speaks we'll for his capabilities. It is not the role an indifferent comedian could make worth while.
 But all the honors were by no means carried off by Miss Mulqueen and Mir MacGregor; although these two alone
 would have redeemed the performance from mediocrity. There were other clever people in the company who did what they had to do exceptionally well. For instance. Booth Howard played
 Donald Marshall, the prince" in a
 quiet sincere way that was admirably
 as his friend, Robert Harrison. was
 quite competent in that part and Gar rett Carroll, who has a fine voice. played the wealthy J. P. Bowden ef- | Actively. Beatrice OConnor and Nina Penn, as the two friends of Irene, who | follow her into the world of fashion
 as models for Madame Lucy," were conspicuous for their singing and dancing. Amelia Summerville DOT | trayed a dowager we'll and Annie Hart. as Mrs. ODare, a stout Irish lady, with | opinions of her own and world Of l Celtic humor. was one of the bright spots in performance that scintil- | lated
 | In picking out few principals for | a word of commendation, it should not | be forgotten that the whole company | worked hard and gave a performance
 that for spirit and energy could hardly | be surpassed. The girls of the chorus | might have been a bit more person.
 able. but one can't have everything in
 travelling organization.
 "Irene' will doubtless be recorded as 1 the seasons best musical show, It can
 be cheerfully recomme ended to provide an evening of unalloyed pleasure.
 Irene" will be at the Jefferson for the
 remainder of the week. with a matinee | Saturday.