The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-11-11

1t was known here. of course. that
Nance O'Neil was one of the few great
actresses America has produced during
the past twenty-five years. But that
reputation handed to the people from
the papers here. from the press of the
States, from private correspondence.
would not insure Nance O,Neil her
proper recognition and a successful
engagement in Honolulu unless sne
succeeded in convincing the Island
patrons of the drama that she was
great actress, In her first appearance
here she scored a triumph. For the
opening night there was an audience
that must have spurred on each mem
ber of the cast of Magda to do the
very best.
Interest centered in the personality
and acting of the beautiful young Cal
ifOrnia woman who has simply leaped
into stage fame. She is tall. has a
grace like surf play, a voice that is
clear, sweet, strong. flexible. under
perfect control and handled under
standingly. She dresses magnificently.
in the best of taste This is part of
her art. Her dramatic capacity is OF
the value of refined gold. In Magda
there is no Nance O'Neil personality.
She Is the living character from be
ginning to end. In the emotional pas
SageS she rises to finish that i most
effective and natural. In the dia-
logues requiring the greatest control
she is equal TO every demand of the
lines and the situations 1t is a pleas
ure to see her act. because it cannot
but be realized that she lives to act,
studies to act and thinks of nothing in
her work but achieving fidelity. Some
might say that she is fortunate to be
star at twenty-fOur after going on
the stage against the wishes of her
widowed father and in the face OF all
circumstances adverse Talent and in
dustry have been her making She is
dramatic and consistent. She has con-
fideDce in herself 1t is treading on
dangerous ground, perhaps. to speak
of her future. She seems to have ar
rived already. But there are many
great plays and only a few great act
resses and Nance O'Neil is one of the
great actresses. The approval of this
little community is to her after the
capture of New York City. for in
stance, only a postscript. but Homo
lulu has crowned her at once.
Dear old Mckee Rankin. How he
has gotten out OF the rut. Il must be
all Of thirty years ago that he was
working just the same as he is work
ing now. In the Oldan days the people
wanted the melodramatic on the stage
and Mr.. Rankin gave il to them. In
MagGa ne Is finished and a treat for
all. In pathOs he is grand. His char
ac1eT is at times almost contradictory.
but he made it an even. weII-defuet
rendition. Nj. Rankin at times last
evening fairly divided the hCnors with
Miss O'Neil.
Herbert Carr Is Il fav0ri-a in Homo
lulu. He was here with TriIby and
then with the Frawleys in repertoire
Last night he had character which
called for his best ability and he gave
the part faulJieSsiy and impreSsiyely.
The Pastor is Il trying character and
in the hands Of an actor Of less abil-
ity than Carr might easily have been
utterly spoiled. 1t is good 10 know
that Carr is vet to be seen in still bet
ter parts.
Geo 5. Trimble was more than eX-
Celient. He Is careful. ssIf-cOu-ainei
and painstaking and was up 10 each
call. In the play he Is a somewhat
usual villain. hut be gave an uncOm-
monty good representation Of the
stamp.
Mrs. Horace McVicl-er and Miss