The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1896-06-02

itunities for warm coloring and chance
to put on canvas a representation OF
cold facts"
Nor replied the artist, that is es-
sentially local-quite as much, In fact,
as Diamond Head. What you want is
to keep the audience in a pleasant
frame of mind until the play begins.
have sketches enough to present to
Mr.. Irwin, and / have no doubt that
the selection he will make will be en-
tirely satisfactory"
What have you planned in the way
of scenery"
Everything will be of the handsome
est and best designs l. can paint, and
the sets will be eighteen in number.
These will include interiors of dwell
lings, gardens where lovers may hold
their trysts, balconies for local or Inn
ported Romeos to climb upon, and gen.
Euine rave yards in which full fiedged
Hamlet can fondle skull to his hearts
desire. The theater goers of Honolulu
may rest satisfied that Mr.. Irwin will
not give them place that is not up to
date. He knows what is wanted, and
my instructions are to furnish the
scenery
How long, did understand you to
say, you have been painting scenery for
theaters ?"
Il commenced" said Mr. Porter, with
a reminiscent expression in his eye, lin
184S, and with the exception of a few
months illness from govt have been
at it ever since. This will be the thirty
ninth place of amusement have fitted
up. l learned painting with w. G. Han
nington, once celebrated glass stainer
and decorator, in New York. Then Hair,
i'y sherwood, who was scenic artist AZ
the Bowery Theater, engaged me aH "a
salary of $12 and half of outside re-
ceipts. We painted all the scenery for
that theater; then we fixed up the old
Chatham Theater.
Afterwards was engaged as scenic
artist at the old Park Theater. think
1t was in the fifties that painted the
last bit of scenery for the old place.
and the finish was more exciting than
anything have had since. A Madame
Montplaiser, French woman, was Just
closing her engagement and wanted to
say Farewell in English, a language of
which she knew nothing. The property
man brought me a request as l was
leaving the paint room, about D. M.
to paint the word on piece of blue
satin. We returned to the bridge
about three flights up, and l did the
work. When / had finished the last
letter turned to him to ask if should
put border around 1t, when | saw a
lght down IN the pit. | enquired of the
man with me if the gas had been light
ed down stairs, and he replied that it
must be, though it was early. When 1
had painted in the border | turned
again and saw the light was brighter.
A moment afterward the call boy. who
was on the stage, shouted ~Firer' and
before could reach the stage the ropes
holding up the wings had caught and
The scenery began to fall. | made nv
way to door under the stage leading
out into an alley, but it had not been
opened for year and was immovable.
fhon l started for another door and
ound myself surrounded by fire. I ran
Up the stairway to window some dis
ance from the ground and dropped out.
when l recovered, three weeks later,
learned that the farewell card had not
,een used.
When the-Pike Opera House in Gin
;innati was being built l was engaged
% paint the scenery for that place.
vas there for fourteen years; painted
he scenery for the grand bali given in
honor of the Prince of Wales.
"And l remember that ball very WE'LL"
laid Mr.. Porter. Three or four of us
we're up in the flies when one of the
,arty proposed some beer. A carpenter
vent out and got jug filed, and ON
lis return poured it in jugs which we
Use for mixing colors. Just before the
lance began one of the boys raised the
ug to his lips. and said, in voice
ouder than he intended, Here's your
lealth, Prince and drank it down.
The Prince and Mr.. Pike heard him
nd looked up. That was enough. The
arpsnters made their way out of the
heater and l took my toaster up over
he 'gridiron.' After the set was over
IT. Pike came to the flies and looked
Or us, but we were up above looking
him. | heard afterward that he had
onvinced the Prince and Mrs. Pike :.
hat they were mistaken. / never told
ne story until after rM. Pike was dead.
he fellow that gave the toast died in
n insane asylum three months after
ne ball. He was 'nutty' when he gave
he toast, but was not aware of It."
During the years was located in
incinnatf visited all the principal
WINS throughout Ohio and fitted up
heaters. Then visited Kentucky and
ouissana and painted more scenery for
sw and old places of amusement.
I'm 1869 the old California Theater
as in course of construction and Will
am G. Ralston sent for me. painted
of the scenery for the opening and
as engaged as the regular scenic art
t, remaining through the manage
emit Of Lawrence Barrett, and after
ards Mccullough and Barrett, and
hen they retired. through Barton
HIS term Of office. My engagement
lished after nine years of service.
nee then I have uafufo6 drox, o,x~xos--