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From: "Cathy Joynt Labath" <>
Subject: [IAPALOAL] Palo Alto Reporter; Mar 24, 1899 "Play-Hero of Wicklow"
Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2004 16:21:04 -0600


It appears that in Emmetsburg, Iowa a favorite way to celebrate St. Patrick's
day was with a play set in Ireland and a dinner. I have many copies of these St.
Patrick's day play reviews and didn't know there were so many family actors
(hams) in the past.


Palo Alto Reporter
Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa
Friday, March 24, 1899

The Hero of Wicklow
The Hero of Wicklow was presented in Music Hall on last Friday afternoon and
evening [Friday, Mar 17! ] by local talent in a very acceptable manner. On each
occasion the company was greeted by a large and appreciative audience. The play
in itself, is not as good as some of those presented on similar occasions, but
it is always a difficult task to select plays that combine real dramatic worth
with simplicity of presentation so essential in a home talent company without
adequate scenery.
The scene of the play is laid in Wicklow, Ireland, in the latter part of the
last century, made memorable by the heroic struggle which was put forth by the
many sons of Erin, for liberty. The play portrayed the last smouldering embers
of this struggle as presented in the real life of one of the last of these
heroic leaders to yield to the inevitable and surrender to the English rule.
W.I. Branagan took the part of Captain Edward Gordon, of her Majesty's
forces, who when arriving in Ireland, and seeing the true state of things, and
falling in love with a pretty Irish girl, he resigned his commission and left
the army, and finally secured a pardon for the rebel leader, who was a former
college chum, and a brother to his sweetheart. He rendered his part in a very
acceptable manner.
J.F. Neary took the part of Squire Shannon, in a creditable manner. His part
was not a popular one as he was the heavy villain of the play, but it must have
been well rendered for strangers in the audience repeatedly hissed his vehement
denunciation of the Irish rebels, and their cause, taking it for his real
sentiment.
E.J. Doyle had the part of John Dricsoll, the young leader of the rebels.
His part was one of the best in the play, and he performed it in an excellent
manner.
Joe Joyce was in his native element, as Barney Donovan, a sprig of the old
sod, and gave a very good rendition of the Irish brogue in his part. He made
love like a connoisseur, rather than an amateur.
Will Conlon had an unpopular part, as Teddy Burke, the spy, but performed it
in a popular manner. A villain or a spy in any play never receives the mead due
to the merit of the performance.
Miss Ann Duffy, as Helen Driscoll, the sister of the young rebel leader, had
a very nice part, and performed it in her usual excellent manner. It was she won
the heart of Captain Gordon, the English commander, who eventually secured a
pardon for her brother.
Miss Josie Dealy, as Nellie Shannon, the daughter of Squire Shannon, had a
delicate and difficult part to perform, yet rendered it in a highly creditable
manner. Her life had been saved by the young rebel and unconsciously she had
given him her heart, and in common with Barney Donevan, planned to release
Driscoll from prison. This was actually accomplished by Barney, who was fertile
in schemes.
Miss Kittie Jackman, as Kate Kelly, a servant in the Wicklow household,
performed her part in an admirable manner. It was she and Barny Donovan that
furnished the pleasantries and humorous parts of the play.
James Brennan, as Tim Burns, a servant to Squire Shannon, and Miss Nora
Joynt, as Mary, who acted in the same capacity, performed the duties assigned
them, very nicely.
Clark Meade, as a lieutenant, in her Majesty's service performed the duties
of the commander of the British soldiers, after the resignation of Captain
Gordon, in a loyal manner. He made a very good soldier, whose duty is to obey
and not to think.
Among the pleasant features of the evening were the songs by Miss Josie
Dealey and Mr. Joe Joyce, which were rendered in an admirable manner.

Cathy Joynt Labath
Irish in Iowa
http://www.celticcousins.net/irishiniowa/index.htm
Palo Alto Co, IA USGenWeb Project
http://www.celticcousins.net/paloalto/index.htm
Iowa Old Press
http://www.IowaOldPress.com/


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