The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-08-02
BRILLIANT OPENING NIGHT
AT THE THEATER.
I" The Little Maverick Proves a
Bright Play that Wins Audience
Big Hit of Katie and Emery.

a wonderful little woman she is, |
Katie Putnam, and carries the piece
along with a dash and elan seldom
seen in Our city. AS May Percy,
the little Maverick, this talented
actress delighted her audience on
Saturday evening. She was the
life and soul Of the play, and there
was not dull moment from her
entrance in the first act till the cur
tain fell upon her in her lovers
arms.
Miss Putnam combines bright
vivacity, Fever overdoue, with the
gentlest pathos. Her playing Of
the untaught, but trne-hearted
child Of the plains, was the roughly
artistic-there was not false note
in it.
The plot of the play is not deep.
1t lies mainly in the development
of the character of May Percy from
the unpolished Texan girl who can
lassoo and ride her own broncho
to the polished young lady improved
but not spoiled by the education
she receives at the seminary. Such
character might easily be spoiled
by strong and hoydenish acting,
but Miss Putnam never lets us lose
sight of the fact that despite the
lack of education, and despite the
free and easy manner and the slang
of the ranch, there is the true lady
in the little Maverick, far truer and
more genuine than the fine airs and
false ideals of the New York girl,
Elise Farleigh Miss Madge
Mackin). 1t is in this that Miss
Putnam Shows US that she possesses
the true art, and not the sham.
She sis the Texas girl and not a
sham stage representation Of her,
and it was thus that she obtained
round after round of applause. To
pick out special scenes is difficult,
but one likes to recall the playing
at fine lady and her maid between
Hans Strauss q. H. Burns), in the
first act, which might easily have
degeuerated into burlesque, but
;, which was kept at the level of true
comedy by very clever acting on
the part of both performers. And
again one recalls with pleasure the
last scene in the fourth act, where
May thinks she has sent her lover,
Lord Kenwood (W. H. Tooker)
away forever. In this she managed
the pathos excellently, and even the
old theater goer was touched when
laying her pretty head on her arm:
she sobbed: my heart is broken
my heart is broken!"
But in speaking of Miss Putnam
1 must not forget the capital imper.
sonation of H. B. Emery as uncle
, Pete, the Texas Ranchman. Hi.
a bluff, breezy playing carried the au
+ dience along with him. Rough il
+ manner, but tender of heart he,
{ after Miss Putnam, was the life ano
soul of the piece. The Fourth o
July scene was we'll done and no
overdone and the Virginia Rec
: which concluded it was danced
with dash, and never descended tt
+ vulgarity. Excellent fun, but fur
+ kept within true comedy limits.
q w. H. Tooker made a manly
a Lord Kenwood, Howard Scott die
good work as comic French Coun
v hunting for fortune. The Han,
q Strauss of J. H. Burns was very
amusing and improved as the pla,
advanced. He sang very takins
!. little negro duett with Miss Putnam
= and gave very clever song anC
I dance in the second act. AS an
: on the subject of songs 1 must com
t pliment Miss Putnam on her ren
r dering Of Kentucky Baby" l
e was arch and pleasing.
: ]. d. O'Hara made what he coulC
v out of somewhat lachrymose Irisl
II man and Robert Jefferson showed
/ that he could play "a william of tn
q deepst die and off with ed " typ
}, very we'll when he gets chance.
q AS the steward he had not mucl
n chance, His make up was good
: | must not forget L. M. Edgar a
r Rubbles the comic butler, who wa
very fancy indeed. Before pro
nouncing upon the ladies I shoul
like to see them in other roles.
a This company is a decided
a pleasing one, and all who enjoy
= good laugh and pretty comedy act
q inn Shni,ld 90 70 the Onarn Hnnce