Evening star., 1898-09-13
ADJUSTMENTS.


ater was last night the scene of an occa-
sion which is likely to develop important
results in the near future. The Hula
Grip presented a number Of young people
who impressed themselves not merely as
possibilities, but as strong probabilities on
the professional stage if that career in
vites their fancies. The extravaganza fes-
tival which the Harris Brothers have ar
ranged for this week will do much to re-
mind the public OF the histrionic and mus
ical talent which Washington boasts, and
will surprise many people who are prone to
doubt the efficiency of any save seasoned
performances in the airy flights of fun and
melody THE Hula Girl' in its present
shape does little more than afford oppor-
tunity for the display of a great deal of
admirable music and of cleverness on the
part of the various individuals in the cast.
There was no need to depend upon the
proud parents and admring friends for the
applause. The overture was received with
a spontaneous outburst of approval. The
orchestra, which was augmented for the
occasion. played with spirit and precision
under the leadership of the young composer
whose aureole of hair was picturesquely
silhouetted agairs the curtain. 1t may be
confidently predicted that this young gen
teman, to whose complete self-possession
in critical moments the performance owed
much, Will be heard from at no distant day
as musician of more than local conse-
quence. His melodies have a sprightiy jim
gle. or an easy, unaffected flow, without
degenerating into the commonplace, and
there is a particularly refreshing vein of
originality in it. Mr.. Harris, stage director,
is no less indefatigable than Mr.. Harris,
musician. His task would legitimatey be
divided among three men. Not only did he
write the words of the piece but he acted
a part, and what was mora important than
either managed the stage. Neat touches of
what is technically known as business"
were introduced which would have done
credit to g. company which had had all
summer in which to rehs arse The founda-
ton of the play Is burlesque of the
reer of Queen Liliuokalani A reproduction
of the cast will serve to indicate the spirit
in which the topic is handled
Lily y-o-killarney, Queen of the Sandwich
Isles (green by name, but black by nature),
Mr. James Cathell; Princess Koylani, heir
ess-apparent to the throne (Americamzed
expressly for this occasion) Miss Edna
Scott-Smith Kapiolani, Taro- Beater, in
love with Koylani, Mr.. Melville Hensey;
Kodak, governor of Oahu, father of the
princess (the biggest coon in town., Mr.
Paul w. Evans; S. 3. Jole (of the firm of
throners'D, Mr. VIM. A Morsell; Rover
Greveland, P. D. O. (of the firm of Greve-
land, Freshan & Co, Professional Re-en-
throners'D. Mr.. w. H Harris; Baby Truth
Qtover's daughter grown to WomanhOOd
with yachting proclivities by inhertance),
Miss Marie Howe; Spreckticles, proprietor
of the Sugar Trust Hotel, NJ Clarence V.
Howard; Officer O'Hooligan, the police
force of Honolulu, Mr.. Francis R Dooley;
Pep-Sin. Mr.. VIM. Clabough: Kis-Mii, Dr.
e. Clyde Shade; Tu-Lu, Mr.. A. B. Seibold;
Yuka-Tan, M. Karl ]. Daniel (the queens
ministers, always chewing the rag: Ia
hitd, Kanaka, Mr.. A. J. Cummings; Poly
nesia, imperial herald; Servant and P1.ono-
graph Man, Mr.. James H. Johnson; mama
malu, Mr.. L. T. Haney; Nawiliwil, Mr..
Frank Benjamin; Kanakakai, Mr.. Melvin
Benjamin; Alalakeiki, Mr.. Frank Weller
(trumpeters, ever ready to give the queen
a blow outD; Fiji, small boy, Master
VIM Morsell.
The dancing was an essential element Of
the production and 1t reflected the great
est credit on the ballet master, "Caruana"
as well as on the members who were called
upon for an occasional pas de seul. Caru-
ana's dance at the beginning of the second
act was conspicuous among the numerous
hits of the evening. There an atmos-
phere of professional sophistication about
the production which afforded agreeable
contrast to the anna mateurishness which so
often affiicts the spectator The proud
parents and admiring friends will doubtless
interpose word of friendly counsel wher-
ever it is needed, while the dsinterested
public cannot do otherwise than credit the
entertainment with being a highly-com-
mendable piece of work, in which touches
of spontaniety and naturalness compensate
for any lack of absolute professionalism.
Considered casually, The Hula Girl is a
blithe and meIodious entertainment, whose
crudities are more than balanced by its ex-
cellences. Regarded in the Light of the
difficulties to be overcome in such an en-
terprlse, 1t is positive triumph. 1t will be
repeated every evening this week and at
the Wednesday and Saturday matinees,
with different cast at each performance
NEW NATIONAL rHEATER.-The So
called chic, gay and giddy Girl From
Paris rs presented to Washington for the
third time by Impressaro Ed. Rice, does
or i'm with i11f. .E.,1l,
when with each trip the company becomes
more and more inferior Not fortunate
enough to see Louis Mann and his clever
running mate, Clara Lipman, in the orig
inal production, Washington was given a
first-class company last fall, when Olive
Redpath took the title role. 1t was at the
Lafayette Theater the local playgoers were
nrSt treated to the display of hose, lingerie
and the osculatory abilities OF the people
making up the cast. 1t vas suggested then
that the Girl was tritie too gay for
staid Washington, and it was hoped she
might have toned down after a year en-
tour. Such has not been the case however
and we are now presented with the same
outlandlsh nonsense and French broadness
at the hands of Incompetent people. 1t is
entirely on the display of dantily -hused
legs, vulgar sayings and such laudabIe
musical efforts as "COCk-a-DOodle-D and
''Tootle, Tootle" that the show travels
Miss Della Stacey is the Girl in the Ma
uonal Theater production. She tried hard
to be Frenchy and TO sing and dance. Her
dlsplay OF neither limbs invariably brought
an encore from the male side of the house.
Onve W allace proved an accept able slavey
although she added not a single new bit
to the weil-worn part. Her song, Sister
Mary James Top Note was applauded as
usual. Harry Hermsen is Hans" the inn
Keeper, and a very good one. Sydney H.
De Grey as 'Pompier," and j. c. NARROW as
Major Fossdyke" are both clever and it
IS their work that keeps the production
from falling fiat. The other members of
the company are not worth mentioning BE
II said in justice to the preceding oreaniZa-
all. ~ 'iieiii
ACADEMY OF MUSIC.-The best test az
a melodrama is whether it is enioye,i bv
the audience. The audience approved of
Inc Electrician" at the Academy last
night and responded to the thrilling in
cldents OF the performance. Charles r
Blaney has put real life into the produc-
ton, and 1t holds it's attractiveness with
the present cast. 1t is realistic and full
OF flash and action. Electricity is the
great motive power of the play and the
movement is necessarily quick The pIay
is well known. 1t is full of excitement
and meets the requirements of the lovers
of melod; anna, who applaud the hero, de-
hight in t1e glare of the stage and 20 into