The daily herald. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1886-1887, 1886-11-29
THE TABLEAUx.
Bright Pictures of Ancient Hawaiian
Life;

IN connection with the celebration of
His Majesty's Jubilee The King and
members of the royal family occupied
front seats in the dress circle Hon.
Sam. Parker and family occupied the
royal box, that was beautifully draped
with a pair Of royal standards. The
diplomatic and consular corps we're
given seats on the right front of the
dress circle.
All the scenes, as outlined in Satur-
days HERALD were presented in style
that probably surpassed the expecta-
tons of most of the spectators. Be
tween the different tableaux Mr..
Berger's large orchestra gave selections
OF enrapturng music, while a pro-
gramme of native songs was rendered,
in manner never to be forgotten by
those fortunate to hear, by the Kawaia-
hao Church choir, numbering about
score of vocalists. The solos were
sung with remarkable power and sweet
ness by Miss Julian Walanika, whose
clear notes and fine expression con-
firmed her high reputation as the lead
ing Hawaiian cantatrice.
The first tableau showed the excel
lent preparation and drill which had
been undergone by the participate rs.
They we're all fishermen in this scene;
dressed in brown tights with yellow
malos, to represent the ancient costume
Of nature with its slight concession to
the prophecies; and their handling of
the nets from the canoes, the inveig.
ling into the meshes, by enc Of the
drivers, of his comrade as victim for
sacrifice, and then the victims drown
ing and offering of him on the altar,
we're all performed in as realistic a
manner as the stage appliances would
permit.
The second tableau opened with
two natives deeply engrossed in a
game of Hawaiian checkers deeply,
indeed, that when Kamehameha /.
entered with his retinue the old man,
whom the monarch desired to consult
on the important question of a wife,
had twice to be tapped on the shoulder
by an attendant before he arose to the
duty of royal oracle. After little
solemn pantomime, in which the seer
was supposed to tell the great chic
that he must conquer the chiefess who
ruled Maui, instead Of waiting till the
Topsy on the back of an attendant
''growed," a retainer footed the "war
'onch." Then the King with his spear
men and servants, marshaled for
stately departure, formed an imposing
group as the curtain fell. The make
up OF the actors was excellent, not at al
oyerdone, their pretty costumes will
crested helmets showing off to fine
advantage figures that might, fol
strength and grace, have been tn
envy of Greek athletes.
A very diverting scene was mex
introduced. The curtain rose on
screen, with a big calabash drum il
front almost concealing the form
Of female hula FOUNDER behind II
She remained motionless a minute
then began a rafting hula mele, keep
ing time on the calabash. AS II b.
magic hula band of puppets number
ing half a dozen showed heads an(
shoulders above the screen, and joinet
with tremendous energy in the revel
finishing each round by knocking eac'
other down out of sight so quickly tina
all disappeared almost Simultaneous
like a flash. This was sort of Ha
waiian Punch and Judy show, creating
great amusement while it lasted an(
being subject to recall.
The fourth tab'elu showed Kameha
meha seated in majesty on a throne
kahili bearers about him, musician
seated on the ground on either side
and four stalwart spearsmen on eac
side in front, who performed an anclen
spear dance" to the sound of wa
drum. 1t was striking scene.
The fifth and last tableau opened a
the fourth, but was soon reinforced b
procession of His Majesty's hui
dancers, sixteen in number, in fu
costume crowned with beautiful gal
lands. The calabashes sounded ser
suous roundelay, and they went trlppln
up and down the stage in two line
making the gesticulations peculiar
the hula revels, and swaying the
bodies so as to impart rhythmic mi
ton to their scanty skirts of floss. Tn
exhibition gave those who had neve
seen the hula dance faint idea OF II
) nature, bearing about the same relatlo
to full performance as the gran
march to an entire figure of the lancer
There was fully enough of it to sho
that hula dancing is unworthy encou
agement or patronage in decent con
munity. Following the female reye
ers came a procession of warriors vii
the captive queen Of Maui and kahuna
Resting a moment in tableau, the sho
concluded with the loosing OF tt
bonds of the gentle prisoner, her pr
...;o, A.. tha K ina and eSnOuSal an