O’Donnell’s Mission

Detailed plot summary.

Benefit for Brougham.

Complete cast.

     “John Brougham was shabbily treated by the weather last night at the Winter Garden. The rains descended and the floods came and beat upon that house; but it filled, and great was the fill thereof. The people were bound to see the beginning and end of ‘O’Donnell’s Mission,’ weather or no!

     So far as its reception was concerned the piece was a decided success, Mr. Brougham being called out three or four times, and once or twice responding to the plaudits in his own frank, sensible and humorous manner. The drama is full of interesting points and clever dialogue, and contains enough sensational situations to satisfy the most eager. It worked a little inharmoniously in places, but not so much so as the character of the play and the difficulties of a first night would make natural. The prominent rôle is of course O’Donnell, the gallant soldier and true man, though blundering diplomatist, which Mr. Brougham carried, as he does everything, with life and heart, though somewhat hampered by the anxieties of his general supervision. His songs are too good in themselves to be spoiled by such lack of rehearsal as was evident in the accompaniment; there seemed no understanding between the singer and the orchestra. The song ‘Star of the West,’ (Mr. Brougham’s own,) [composed by Henry Russell] is fine in melody and movement, and might be made very effective. . . .

     To enumerate all the prominent characters (and Mr. Brougham skillfully introduced many, all necessary to the purpose of the play.) would take more time than we can give at this late hour at which we are writing. The performance did not close until 11:30, though that will undoubtedly be changed when all things work as smoothly as the first night promises.

     Mr. Brougham's  own words perhaps most fitly describe the piece, as somewhat ambitious—intended to be something a little out of the common line; and endeavor to set forth a representation of Irish character that should not be a disgrace to that nation, and to blend with it matters of more than ordinary interest. In this the author has well succeeded. The play is vivacious, witty, interesting and exciting throughout, and under the masterly hand of Mr. Brougham will soon be rendered in a manner worthy of its merits.”

     “‘O’Donnell’s Mission’ is eminently a success in art as well as in popular favor. The theater was crowded last night, notwithstanding the storm, and the audience received Mr. Brougham’s drama with every demonstration of applause. . . . The first performance lasted until past eleven, but the piece will be slightly curtailed, and, will, doubtless, pass off more briskly hereafter. We have not time at the moment to discuss the drama fully, to paint all its beauties, and to enlarge upon the intellectual lessons which it suggests. We shall not, however, lose sight of the subject. Efforts are not often made  to illustrate—as in this case—the character of the Irish gentleman and when they are they deserve warmer recognition than can be given in a hasty paragraph. Mr. Stuart has produced the piece with excellent scenery, that of the second act (in which, by the way, Mr. Brougham sings a Spanish song) being especially beautiful. The fifth act, too, is presented with magnificent scenery. Mr. Morris played the Cardinal with great dignity. Mr. Brougham was called out four times in the course of the performance, which fact indicates the enthusiasm with which the drama was received.”

Complete cast.

     “Mr. Brougham’s leading impulse in writing this play clearly was a desire to delineate character seldom seen upon the stage—an Irish gentleman.  In that desire he has abundantly prospered.” Detailed plot description. “Charged with a mission of great import and danger, he yet lingers to drink a parting bumper with his comrades and sing a song in remembrance of his beloved ‘Erin the Beautiful.’ . . . A nice stroke of art, too, is the introduction of the stanza from the song of the ‘Irish Brigade, whereby, in a moment of extreme peril, O’Donnell announces to Eva his safety and his approach. . . . ‘O’Donnell’s Mission’ is an exceedingly good play of the romantic school.”

     Brougham’s “songs, particularly the Spanish air in the second act, were given with considerable feeling and spirit.”

     Gives plot summary.  Brougham’s “songs, particularly the Spanish air in the second act, were given with considerable feeling and spirit.”

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