Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-15
The Theatre in Honolulu.

III.
long grass lay over the broad steps; vines traied
about the easements; small lizards slid under
the leaves; an intoxicating fragrance was
waited from the garden, where kanaka was
ShOwering broad-leaved plant, upon which
the water doomed like drum. We entered the
door, which swung in upon the stage; the
cosy stage, with its minnie scenery thrust back
against the walls, and the space filled to the
prOscenium with trapeZe, rings, bars and
spring boards; in short, the theatre was trans
formed into gymnasium between two dra-
with the two ends next the stage fenced
Off for boxes A half dozen kings and queens
have witnessed the lives and deaths Of player
kings and queens from these queer little boxes
Under the fOOtlightS stood the plano, which
usually comprised the entire orchestra. From
the rear OF the stage we entered the green
room, pretty parlor, furnished with bachelor
comforts; the large centre table, was covered
with Turkish cloth, richly embroidered; on
the table stood an old fashioned astral lamp
with depressed globe and long, slender
were mirrors reaching to the ceiling; lounges,
Chinese reclining chairs and ottomans filled the
room. A valuable oil painting which had a
look OF age hung over the piano. On the latter
stood two deep bell globes Of glass that pro-
tected wax tapers from the tropical drafts The
double window, which was never closed, was
| thickly screened with vines. On one side of
this exceptional green room was curtained
the manager, who had for years made the
theatre his home. On. the opposite side of the
green room was bath room, constantly sup
piled with fresh, cool mountain water. And
thus was the drama nourtshed at the antfpodeS.
Many time, OF an evening, have we sat in that
romantic chamber rehearsing the associations
played in that theatre and kept bachelors hall
in that green room. The cratic Lola Montez
has danced her 'Spider Dance" upon that stage.
There eI,sp poor Walter IT, Montgomery rang Poe's
too soon. Daniel Bandmann strutted his brief
hour between the wings, while Mime. Band
mann and other JtAietS have leaned from a
balcony empowered with palms and towering
shrubs transplanted for the occasion from the
garden under the caves. Anna Bishop has
sung there at intervals during the last half
lous trll, taught the charmed Hawaiians the
SorroWful song OF the nightingale and Nine.
Josephine dOrmy sang with the passionate
abandon of lost soul SignOr Orlandini and
Kate Hayes-though l am not sure that she
sang in this theatre. Then came Steve Mas
sett, 'Jeems Pipes OF Pipesville," the perpetual
m mot VINO has sung and reeited to at least
upon the roof Of the Royal Hawaiian Theatre,
with undimmed eyes and unf1aggfng spirits, for
he is lowered with perpetual youth. Mime.
Marie Duret, the famous Jack Sheppard, has
more than once played season on these boards.
The foot-lightS have burned low at the horrible
glance of L,tcrezia Bo7'gia and flashed under
That little play house has been thronged with
audiences attracted by very diSSimilar features
anything from nve acts and prologue OF melO-
drama to troupe OF trained poodles is sure to
transform the grassy lane into bazar of fruit
sellers, and the box Office under the stairs into
Dedlam OF chattertng natives One hears al
most as well outside as within the building; the
high windows are down from the top, because
air is precious and scarce; banana leaves fiutter
like cambria curtains before them; a familiar
air Is struck upon the piano In the orchestra;
the Kanakas, who are lying in the grass under
the garden fence, take up the refrain and hum
softly and sweetly; the music ceases the play
begins; the listeners in the street. seeing no part
OF the stage, little, in fact, more than the lamp
light streaming through the banana leaves,
busy themselves with talk; they buzz like
swarming bees; they laugh like careless child
dren. They echo the applause of the spectators
and amuse themselves Immensely. Meanwhile
tne royal family are enjoying the play In the
most natural and unpretentiOus fashion Every
body In the house knows everybody else in the
house; solitary stranger would be at once de-
tected and scrut1niZed. 1t Is like q social gath
ering where carriages may be ordered at half
past ten but most OF the participants walk
home.-lC W. StOddGrd In San Francisco
Chronicle.