The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1884-01-19
OUR THEATRE AND OUR ACTORS,


drawing to a close. He has interested and
instructed us during the few weeks he has
been here His gentIemanIy bearing and
sterling social qualities apart from his abil-
ity as an actor have won for him many
friends. 1t may be said to- have been for
tunate that he landed from the Zealandia
on his way from the Colonies to San Fran
cisco at the solicitation of DR.. McGrew and
one or two other friends whom he chanced
to meet whilst strolling through this holy
city, as Mr.. Moncure Conway would say,
on the Sabbath Day. 1t is a source of
qualification to know that he has been SUBJ
stantially rewarded for his professional
services, and that in social circles he has
thoroughly enjoyed himself and been well
received in all directions. The ennui into
which many of this community are apt
to fall for want of something somebody
to enliven the evenings, can only be inn
agined by those who have ''no where to CO."
'Tis true there is the library and the Y. NJ.
G. a. hall and sometimes, the band. But
these become monotonous to the single
young man, and it is with feeling of &C.
stacy that he welcomes the arrival of an
actor like Mr.. Bandmann. The sedentary
occupation of being confined to store or
an office all day, demands some diversion
in the evenings. Such has been provided
by Herr Bandmann and Miss Beaudet, ably
assisted by Mr.. Chas. Lobbett. NOtwith-
standing that Herr Bandman's forte is
tragedy he nevertheless is a fair comedian,
and though his repertoire of light plays is
apparently not very extensive, he has in
variably succeeded in parting with his
audiences in happy mood, each having
mutual desire to meet 'Once again. Mr..
Fred McCabe, who was Herr Bandmann's
immediate predecessor on our stage, was
also on his way from the Colonies to the
States when he found sufficient inducement
to remain few weeks amongst us, Was well
received and literally patroniZed, and we
feel sure that any artists of merit ell route
either way, would willingly and cheer
fully break the monotony of a long sea voy-
age and follow the good example set
the Bandmann-B Beaudet Combination and
Mr.. McCabe if they knew the resources of
our community and their wantsf The ben
eft would be mutual. AS Herr Bandmann
said in his brief address to his audience on
Saturday night last: ''Your beauti-
full theatre is worthy of any metropolis in
the world.'
When the theatre, or the Music Hall as
it is styled was built, about three and
half years ago, the shareholders antici-
pated grand results. Large dividends were
seen in the future, ami no dearth OF famuse-
ments during our dull season. What was
the result? There were so many interested
in it. that it &! peared to be naturally in
ferred that it could not fail. Time proved
otherwise. 1t was nobody's business to
look directly after the working of the insti-
tuition, or rather no one exercised that func-
ton, and the result was, n failure. Happi-
ly the theatre has passed into the hands of
one who has capital, enterprise and energy.
On Mr.. Irwin's recent visit to California,
he concluded arrangements with a first-class
comedy company to visit Honolulu next
month. They deserve to be supported, and
the enterprising lessee, or proprietor, de-
serves the thanks of the community.
Looking ahead, we learn from the Amer
lean papers that in June next, the beautiful
Mrs. Langtry will pass this way en- route to
Australia. Probably her figure, that is, the
value she puts upon her professional servi-
ces, might far exceed the limited resources
of our playgoing community. We use the
word "limited" advisedly, as portion of
our small community do not patronize the
stage, excepting it be to witness a perform
ance by amateurs. But there would be no
harm in extending an invition to Mrs.
Langtry to spend four weeks on the Islands
and a speculator might do worse than make
such an engagement. We anticipate she
would draw immensely.
We all remember with feelings of delight
and pleasure the musical treat that was af-
forded us about year ago, by the Mendel
ssohn Quintette Club. On that occasion
the arrival of the steamer in the afternoon
and her late departure at night was one of
those streaks of luck that cannot always be
counted upon. Had these talented musi-
clans remained here month, there is no
doubt that they would have been literally
patronized at every performance. But there
is always hitch in trying to persuade pro-
fessionals to stop in Honolulu. In nine
cases out of ten they have pre-engagements
that cannot be annulled. Therefore to get
over the difficulty it would be we'll if there
some duly authorized persons in Sydney,
Auckland and San Francisco, who could
take advantage of the many opportunities
that offer, by making known the beautiful
theatre we possess, and the desire there is TO
patronize the stage.
But to return to the talented company we
nave SUN III oui hlus'' lhell enSaSe1heh'S
| are concluded and they pursue their voyage
on Sunday next. There is, however, one
more treat in store. 1t is the play of East
/ Lynne" Those who have not seen the play,
| have read the novel by Mrs. Wood, from
which the play is dramatized. On this oc-
casion Miss Beaudet will take a benefit, land
we would ask is that lady not worthy of a
benefit? She has labored hard to please,
and succeeded in so doing, and no one in
this community ought to allow her to leave
these shores without signifying their appre-
citation of her histrionic talent.