ALLEN DOONE SEASON.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1373, 26 February 1912, Page 7

ALLEN DOONE SEASON.

"A ROMANCE IX IRELAND." "A Romance in Ireland," a play in four nc(s by Allen Doono. Cast: — 11-lan Mabel Russell Mickey Brady J. Vincent White , Nnrnh Doyle Edna Kccl?y Bessie O'Daly Mine Dunne Gerald Boyle O. Edgeworth Captain Downes Ronald Riley Patrick Doylo Tom Buckley Father O'Flvnn Frank Cullenanc Larry O'Daly Albn Doone fiuuire O'Daly C. It. .Stanford Maggie Connie Kyte In quite a number of instances players who favour Trish characters have developed a predelictiou to appear in plays of their own writing. The first ami greatest of these was Dion Boucicault, the elder, who, it is interesting to recall, appeared at the old Theatre Royal in his own plays, which set a fine standard in Irish plays, and went nearer to a reflection of life in Ireland of a century ago and Irish character than had hitherto been recorded fpr the stage. These plays embody a vivid story which struck the sombre note of hardship and oppression whilst retaining a-rich vein of that buoyancy of spirit and native wit so indelibly characteristic of the people ' involved. It has been said that Boucicanlt got closer to Irish sentiment and character than did Charles Lover, the novelist, though both freely availed themselves of the licensc given to writers whose aim is entertainment rather than enlightenment. Of late years W. B. Yeats and Synge have contributed important additions to the Irish drama, and through the medium of the famous Abbey players of Dublin have earned such esteem in Ireland and fame abroad that they recently visited >iew York, where 'their plays and tl\o natural manner of their presentation created more than passing interest. Mr. Allen Doono has succumbed to the habit of writing a play for himself, but. "A Romance in Ireland," played at the Opera House on Saturday evening, cannot, be considered a serious contribution to Irish drama, nor does it make any pretence to be. If it did one could say without being unduly petulant that it lacked resource, and was crude and stilted ih construction and in language. The romance, such as it is, turns on Larry O'Daly's love for Norali Dovle. Arriving homo on furlough, No'rah's soldier brother Gerald brings with him Captain Downes, who is immediately struck with Norah's charms, and resolves to win her. Noting that Noralt is fond of Larry, the gallant officer seeks to damn the gossoon's chanccs with the girl by .implicating him in a felony. Ho very easilv accomplishes this by placing the sum of .E2OOO. which Farmer vDoyle leaves conveniently on a tabic in Hip front garden, in Lorry's coat pocket. When Doyle senior hands over the wallet to Squire' O'Daly in payment of a debt, it is found that the notes arc missing. "On Captain Dow.nes insisting that all sh.ojild ,bc r .searched, ~. thenotes. arb. found on .Larry' ■ who is disowned on . the spot by the O'Dalv. Larrv retires to n distance, where 'hi?, abject state is cheered by the Irish pipes and frequent visit ot his fair colleen, who, of course, does not believe her lover guilty. 1-inallv Captain Downes admits the despicable part he played and is allow3d to swagger oil • in pale blue silk without, so much ns a parting kick from the spiritless' Larry. The one big melodramatic scuno is cutiroly a mistake, for it makes Larry a cad in so clumsily compromising his sweetheart bv entering her room at midnight, i His discovery there by the girl's brother, 1 and the brawl which ensues raised more laughter than apprehension, and so failed in its intention to thrill. The whole scene is dragged in without technical consideration or logical inference. 5 Mr. Allen Doone is a likeable mummer who gets on famously with his audiences, I almost purely on personality. He is ! best in his moods of "quiet fooling," and ! his sweethearting ways make a distinct l appeal to the average feminine mind. . This is to say that he is n better per- , former than his play is a play. Hi's ; mellow tenor voice is also a distinct nt- ' tribute to popularity. It. is, however, : marred by some toneless top notes. lie i would avoid these notes were ha to use his rather pretty falsetto voice in tho higher register. He sang "The Lowbacked Car," and "The . Lass I'toiii Erin's Isle" very nicely, but there was I an element of bathos in the ballad - "Where My Dear Mother Lies," sang f over a grave. Miss Edna Keeley was bright and vivacious as Norali Doyle. She dressed tho farmer's daughter like a shepherdess of Arcady, which was hardly correct. If Mr. Doone's accent is good American Irish, there is 110 doubt i- whatever that Miss lveeley's is excellent Irish American. Mr. Ronald Kilev ap--1 peared as Captain Downes, a character 2 too ill-drawn to judge any actor by. -Mr. 3 Tom Buckley did well as Patrick Doyle, [ t and Mr. Frank Cullenane made Father J O'Flvnn a pleasant person. Mr. C. It. Stanford as Squire O'Daly, in "lavender and old lace," raged and foamed splen- ■ didly on discovering his son to be a thief, forgetting all the time that Larry would never have submitted to be searched if he were guilty. Miss Mabel Russell made a spirited Biddy Dolon, and Mr. J. V. 'White frollielced heavily as Mickey Brady. Mr. 0. Edgoworth npi peared as Gerald Doyle, and Miss Aline Dunne appeared to advantage as Bessie O'Daly. ?• "A Romance in Ireland" will be played f - again this evening!