Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1882-03-11

should tt be , Tho theatre became the home ~
tie drama aud of tie very drama that was
noufirhed IN the bosom of the church What
says Noah Webster. "heofs any room
adapted to the exhibition of any performances
"bcfofe M assembly--as tot public lectures,
fot scholastic exercises, anatomical demon
" sfationa or sufgioal operationv, befofo
class, and like purposes" Music Hall
fofsoptli place where ono sits with bis bat
on aud drinks beer and listens to handy Songs
and sees dancers fling their heels. This is tie
music hall of tp.dayl Honolulu IL not 80
much better than the rect of tho world that
.ho can afford to call her lhcutrs the music
hall when 1t IL not ono, never hir been one
and ". sincerely hope never will becomc ono.
People IN the great world nfe. at intervals,
holding religious services IN theatres, music
hall may formerly have been good enough
mans for ha'l devoted 10 music, but it las
unfortunately become associated with resorts
Of very low character; tho name Ia
rcproach and Honolulu cannot hope 10 purge II
oi contempt
Our theatre owing to various reasons, has
not proved success IL was public spirit
that laid the corner stone aud promised to
sustain the enterprise but public spirit, ~
rather the unpuisc which we have above refer
red Ia, las failed to stand by the institution
It opened under comparatively favorable
auspiecs; aud, later, the production of Pb,o-
JOre wnr an event on which wo may justly
pride ourselves; but poor management and
the indIfieteJrU I~iltg public following the
epdclsfc oI last spring have almost sealed the
~'rntc of the house. Instead Of growing out Of
debt, it has grown into it.
Tho gentlemen who showed public spirit
enough to subscribe towards the construction
oi tho building are tho sofry shareholders Of
stock that has never paid, aud which ia
wasting In the clutcl,en Of a mortgage that has
grown monstrousy. These shareholders do
not bcgrudge the money they put into tile
handsome little theatre. aud they alone are
worthy to bo called public spirited, but they
should not be suffered to osc by it; an effort
is being made to awaken Il new interest IL,
this temple Of the muses.. Honolulu has the
opportunity Of rcdeeming her reputation. We
trust for the honor Of city whose theatrical his
listened to Kate Hayes, Madame Auna Bishop,
lima de Murska, siguor and Madame Blail-
chi Madame Agatha States, Annis Montague,
Charles Turner, Stephen Massctt, Kettcn, nud
the Caradiuis in opera and concert; and IL
! Edwin Booth, Charles Matthew'S, Walter
Montgomery. Bandmann, the Williamsons, the
ZAyistouskis, and Marie Durct in drama, TO say
| nothing of a host Of miscellaneous entertain
mons-ilIat the new theatre may soon enter
upon "A career worthy OF the capital Of the
| kingdom.
There il no reason why we should not be
visited by the stars that are constantly shoot.
| ing between the Colonies aud the Coast and
| visited with profit to each. When tho pit o
| the theatre is noored over it will be admirabIy J
adapted to promenade concerts aud balls aiid
to eIpositiuns, the most notable Of which now
OH the Mpis is the pfoposedArt Loan Exhibition
| aud we hope soou to he able 10 congratulate
| the gentlemen who are at present seeking t.
save tho ouly theatre in the Pacific from
| laundering, as it is now laundering, under
| false colors, in a dead calm.