The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-11-24
THE RAILROAD OF LOVE At THE
OPERA HOUSE.
\ Bit of Light Comedy EXquisitely
Performed by the Frawley Company
is Highly Appreciated by All.

] cameo. II WIS Int lace OF an OlU
Greek sage and not much larger than
one of my finger nails. yet every line
was eXquisitely cut, even to the little
wrinkles under the eyes. You could
take magnifying glass and the work
looked as smooth and delicate as il did
to the naked eye. 1t was wonderful
bit of work. and the man who did the
carving was a true artist. When | saw
the Railroad of Love last night |
thought of the cameo. Every line of il
was bright, witty and sparkling. there
were the lightest touches of comedy.
as subtle and delicate as the perfume
of moselle. and the piece was in fact
Il gem, while the manner i'm which it
was interpreted showed as the work
upon the cameo did, the hands of true
and skilled artists.
OF plot in the Railroad of Love
there is very little. There is no un-
ravelling of long skein of difficult
ties. producing powerful situations:
it is more in the vein of Iockyer and
James, than in that of kipling or Gill
bert. 1t is not "A play that appeals to
audiences at large, but those who can
appreciate it, appreciate it very high
ly.
can honestly say that it is years
since | have seen anything that pleas
ed me so much. Even my cynical
friends Golightly was pleased. and he
generally laughs at stage effects and
has not a spark of sentiment in his
fiinty heart.
The principal interest of the piece
lies between Valentine Osprey
blanche Bates), Howell Everett
Crank Worthing, and Phoenix
Scuttleby Harry Corson Clarke).
Were | young man, which alas | am
not, | should rave over Miss Bates
beauty, and should blame no youngest
er for falling head over ears in love
with her. Were | lady | should en-
large upon her exquisite costumes.
That soft white silk negigee gown N
the third act, made her look like a
| Grecian queen, and her cloak in the
fourth act must have been the envy of
every woman there. But what care
for is the excellence of portrayal of
character Miss Bates was at her best
and so was Mr.. Worthing. The love
making of these two was no hovdenish
or calf love. 1t was the love making
of two polished people of the world.
The scene at the door, where Howell
satisfies himself that Valentine really
loves him was one of the most etfec-
tive situations that | have come across
and was yet i'm the vein of the highest
comedy.
Harry Corson Clarke had great
opportunity as Phoenix Scuttleby. lie
represented the happy-go-lucly spend
thrift. who all his life had scattered
money with lavish hand, and who.
even in hs old age, was stiIl one of the
"boys." The little senile Laugh the walk
which was not quite so firm as it had
been in youth, the legs having be-
come somewhat erratic as those of
Cousin Felix in Dombey and Son, and
the general make up were admirable.
The more one sees of Mr.. Clark the
more one appreciates his great tai
ents as IA comedian. His powers are
truly great in his line, and his line is
by no means limited to farce, as a
light comedian in the most DELICATE of
comedy, Mr.. Clarke shone last night.
Those who missed seeing him, missed
Il great treat.
But these three principals would
have been nowhere without good sup
: port 1t is in this that Mr.. Frawley 5
company is so good. One can see the
painstalling work which has been
; done with the most minor characters.
This is the only way to obtain true
theatrical success. Messrs. Perry and
/ Enos made capital representatives OF
an old general and an old judge, and
some of the scenes between the three
old fogies were inimitable. Mr.. Fraw-
ley and Miss Wrenn were able expo
nents of the second pair of lovers.
The former developed real powers Of
comedy which he does not always
have an opportunity of displaying
Phosa McAlister's comic widow was
not pitched too high, and made an
able adjunct to Corson Clarke's fun
while William Levers as young So
ciety gentleman, with lisp and a
strong eye to the main chance, show
ed how this young actor has improy-
ed under the training he has received
with the Frawley company. / must
not forget my little friend Eleanor
Robson, in her little part of the maid
She had quite a cute little scene with
Howell in the third act, and she man
aged it very we'll. She is in a good
school to improve.
When / think that this company has
come so many miles to give pleasure
to us, | cannot help urging all who
love the play and the player to give
it their very best support. We do not
often get such chance as this of a
good all round company, indeed it is
not likely that we shall for year at
least. Stars may come, but they are
unsupported stars, and here we have
a harmonious whole.
| am very anxious to see Sue. The
story was much criticized when Il
came out and | would like to see it in
its dramatic dress. Bret Harte's wor,
ought to be redolent of the Sierras
and that will please
NH, or N III Az rnr,n