"THE PARISH PRIEST."

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1717, 7 April 1913, Page 6

"THE PARISH PRIEST."

THE ALLEN DOONE CO. ','^i 10 l'riest," a play in tiireo acts by DanielX. Hart. Cast;— Michacl Sullivan l' om , Buckley lsatheriiie Corrjgan ]jtliel Gmt VSf, SJ< ! y : Ellld liashtoril lli' Clivc Farnliam l) ■' ivSm «- a ; e 'J dy - J - Viuccnl AVhito Jaiu'er KOT '°y Jaiuus Krauk Cullemmo Even to the warmest admirers of Mr. Allen Jjoone, his performance a« the frail and gentle old citric in "The Parish Priest," at the Opera House on Saturday evening must liuve been a surprise, even as tho play was to those who have coino to associate tho American actor with ono particular style of part. In contradistinction to those, bright, lively comcdvdramas, "The Parish l'riest'' is a quiet play of sentiment, There is no banging of the melodramatic drum, no huir-raisiiig situations, no sin-laden villain, and not even a gallant hero. But there is a fascinating central figure in the play iu thepersoii of Father Wlialen, who hallows each scene with his abundant sympathy and compassion. Silver-haired, and trail to attenuation in figure, with a soit, mellow, expressive voico to speak the words of wisdom which fall like a benediction on the troubled hearts of his flock. lho idea of the play is a pretty il a highly sentimental one, and though ill a few placcs the sentiment was ant to slop over a little, the good in the play easily out-balanced its little defects, the dialogue is well written, and tho dry, Irish humour of Father Wlialen and his iaitliful henchman, Michael Sullivan, was . vested with the charm of freshness. The plot is of the simplest order. Agnes Cassidy, the pretty daughter of Dr. Cassidy, who is dangerously close to being a shrew, -is engaged to Frank Dougherty, a young lawyer. After a brief abseuce from home, Agnes, hearing that her fiiancee has been seen with another young lady, breaks off the engagement, and at the same time promises her father to marry young Dr. Walsh, to whom Dr. Cassidy is transferring his extensive practice. It is the ambition to mako sure of fortune rather than happiness which causes Dr. Walsh to accede to Dr. Caswdy's dcsiro to marry his daughter, for he really loves Helen Durkiu, tlie niece and ward of Father Wlialen. Indeed, these two young people have grown up together as acceptcd lovers, and vows have been interchanged, so that the family circle of the parish priest expect nothing other than tho orthodox conclusion to such affairs. Young Walsh, who is not .n bad young fellow, _is conscious -that ho has dono wrong in plighting his troth to .Allies Cassidy without telling Nellie or lier 'untie, postpones the revelation as long na possible. It comes unexpectedly, ,as Father Wlialen is'advising Walsh,! open Biblo in hand, never to neglect the teachings of Holy Writ, and though staggered by "the news which Agnes lets fall, knowing that it will blast the life of one ha holds very dearly, tho old man reads oil— "What shall it profit a man if ho gain the whole world and loso his own soul!" and so the curtain falls slowly on the first act. The second begins where tho first left off, with the shades of evening dulling tho distance, and tho, lights of tlio town sparking the background. Father Whalen reproaches Dr. Walsh, who, whilst knowing himself in the wrong, tries to bluster it out. The ,news hits tho doctor's brother, James Walsh, harder, and being tne devoted friend of Father Whalen, and his w-ard, denounces . his brother as a scoundrel. « Nellie wilts under ' the blow,. and makes up her mind to go. The third act introduces 0110 to 'Father Whalon's home, he having invited all tho parties there the same evening. Thero the strategist paints telling word pictures of the future to Dr. Walsh and Agnes Cassidy, assuring them of the mistake they aro making and pointing out the only road to happiness. The result is inevitable. Agnes is brought to seo reason, and Fathei' Whalen has young Dougherty on hand to stengthen his argument. Dr. Walsh, who really loves -Nellie, . is shown, tho way to repentance, and his true love's arms. And thero in tho dim light from the. chapel door the lovers embrace, as Father Wlialen seafs himself in the plow of tho fire. "I'vo had a busy day, says lie, lighting a cigar, "I think I've earned my cigar!" Enough has been said to indicate the fine quality of llr. Doone's impersonation of Father Whalen. It is right, away from anything ho has done here Wore, and displays that .commanding l reserve , and repose so essential to hold an audience. His clear, mellow voice was never raised above tho normal, never inaudible to anyone, ami the gentlo brogue and correct inflections employed were part of a most artistic and compelling performance. Mr. Doone only allows himself ono song in the play. It is a tuneful song, entitled "An Old-Fashioned Mother," which ,-he pipes in his sweet mezr-a voce beside tho fireplace at the request of old Michael Sullivan. The play could have been better cast, but the remark does not apply to Mr. Tom Buckley, who was made to order for Sullivan, the briglittongued old Irishman* who 6nid on one occasion that if lie had Miss Cassidv's temper lie "would -bottle it to blast rocks with." Mr.' O.'Edgeworth played the difficult part of, Dr. Walsh .rntlier well. It is much the best work lie has done in Wellington. Miss Edna ICeeley was well suited as Helen Durkiu, but .Miss Ethel Dasliford was much too matter-of-fact in manner as Agnes Cassidy, and thero was no reflection suggested in tho manner in which she rattled off her lines. Mr. Clivo Farnham was inclined to be stilted as Frank Dougherty, and Mr. J. Vincent White was hardly convincing (except iu tho last act) as Dr. Ca«idy. Mr. F. Cullonano was James Walsh, and Miss Ethel Grist appeared as ICatherine Corrigan. The play is well mounted, and is worthy of large audiences during the week.