Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1900-01-25
Harry Da,iSOn as
! Mrs. Castles Attendant.

ter last Tuesday ev ming the feminine por-
ton of her large and fashionable audience
wa. instantly struck by the sly and fit
of her costume says the San Francisco
Post.
1.-The woman who arranged that dress is
an artist" was the raptrous comment of
one matron who did not appear at all
dowdyish herself.
But the invisible winner of this compl-
ment was not a woman. His name Is
Harry F. Dawson; he is about 90 years Of
age, and while Miss Scott-her real name
Is Mrs. Neville Castle-is on the stage he
performs for her some of the functions that
are usually performed by maid. tle sees
to II that she Is properly attired and made
up"
Once upon time an actress named
tombstone Bennett made great deal of
notoriety for hers'lf by employing man
maid, or women-valet The innovation
was variously regarded in the profession,
but Mrs Caste was first to emulate II In
a measure. She declares that Mr.. Dawson
Is not her valet in that popularity accepted
sense of that term, and he asserts the
same thing
On the stage of the California Theater,
however, he Is referred to as "Miss Scott's
valet"
HarryF. Dawson was found by a "Post"
reporter this morning at 4I3 Ellis street.
In reply to inquiries regarding his reported
service to Mrs Castle as keeper of her
wardrobe, costume designer and valet, Mr..
Dawson said:
81 first met Mrs. Castle in Honolulu,
some years ago. There had been engag-
ed for some time in the dresSmaiing bust.
ness, and upon the occasion of an amateur
performance being given, ! was the only
available robemaker in Honolulu who
could get out the costumes desired by the
PLAYERS.
81 than prepared for Mrs. Castle a dress,
which gave her entire salts action, and
four months ago, when left the islands
and came here to embark in business, dis.
covered that she was to adopt the stage as
as profession.
"The lady called upon me later to make
some costumes for her, and inasmuch as
she had never made herself up COR the
stage, consented to assist her in adjust
ing her dress before each performance and
in making up her face.
"Snee Mrs. Castle has been with the
Frawley company have prepa ed her
for the stage each night, seeing to 1t that
the costumes sit upon her as they should
and to The best possible advantage.
make up face as mere accommodation.
1T might be gathered from this that
was callei upon to oversee Mrs. Castles
entire preparation for the stage in the re-
tirement of her dressing room, but that Is
not SO. ! merely enter when she is ready
and adjust the dress for her, at the same
time seeing to the face makeup ard salts
flying myself that 1t Is not faulty. For
further explanations can best refer you to
Mrs. Castle.
81 believe that the day has arrived
when men will succeed women as the de-
SgnerS OF the best theatrical outfits. There
are many reasons why man can do bet
ter In this line than woman.
IL am not the lady'S valet-pleaSe don't
state nat am. am her robemalier and
assist her as friend in making up. That
Is ALL
Mrs. Castle was later interviewed at
the Savoy Hotel, where she has apart.
meat.
THE whole thing came out this way"
she said. 81 W in Honou lu, and took
part in the theatrical performance which
required costumes retter than the dress
makers there could turn out. Mr.. Dawson
was suggested. and was given trial. He
succeeded wonderful well, and saw other
that he had done sufficient TO convince me
| that he was clever and efficient builder
| of costumes.
81 had never made myself up, and when
went to the Frawley company | Supp0S-
ed there was servant supplied for that
purpose.
"When | discovered that would have
to do this work myself, was in predica.
ment, from which Mr. Dawson kindly res
cued me. Now he fits my dress upon me
every night, and then makes me up for
the performance. Mr.. Frawley has never
been able to find flaw In his work, with
the exception of one day, when he found
my eyes " ere too red. Mr. Dawson Is an
artistic and energetic dress designer, and
shall retain him, as know of no other ser.
vice as good for my purpose.
"He is not my valet. He Is my friend
and my dressmaker. cannot say wheth.
er other actresses will follow this example
of employing male dressmakers or not, but
If they do they will certainly find that
they are served eminently better than at
the hands Of women IN the business"
Among the members of the FraWley
company the innovation Is discussed In
whispers, but no man or woman OF the
lot has openly objected to It.
| Phosa McAlllster mrs. Harry Duffleld)
who Is the recnpnlzed duanna of the EraW,