The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-06-27
CAPT. LEITARBLAIR PLAYPLlGIE IN FREENANTLE


The NELL company have certainly a.
very dainty repertoire. The American
Citizen of Madeline Ryley was fol-
loWewd by Captain Lettarblair' OF
Marguerite Merington. There is more
dash and go To the latter than there
was To the former, but I'm both there rs
charming delicacN OF construction.
and an education Of thought which
makes one say, We'll / am glad / have
seen that They say that women have
no sense of humor yet both these
authoresses have written comedies bub-
bling with fun, and fun of the most
humorous thoughts and situations.
Plays of this sort can only be acted
by fiist class company They require
such finished acting and this is what
the ladies and gentlemen of the Neili
company give US. There is an ease OF
manner, "a refinement Of presentment
which only belongs to the actor and ac-
tress Of the higher walks Of the pro-
fession. Honolulu has never had a
better company for the rendering of the
up to date play.
The plot of Captain Lettarblair' is
the usual course of true love which
does not run smooth, and linen the
young lady would make II run smooth
she only causes fresh tloaY.,s to ap-
pear, but of course, everything comes
right in the end. ! like plays that come
right in the end Ibsenism always
comes wrong in the end; so do all prob
lem plays; that is advancement, but give
me an ineligible plot, speaking dla-
logue, and let the lovers join hands
in the last act, and / go home and 20
to sleep to dream that the world is not
so bad after all. A fig for your problem
plays. Let me have healthy and bright
views of life.
Edythe Chapman enhanced the good
opinion formed of her on Saturday ev-
ening. Her Fanny MADDEN was ex-
tremely womanly and pretty. The rath-
er impulsive but true hearted girl was
portrayed to the life. She is so grace
full, and has such winning manner
that ii is no wonder Captain Lettar-
blair (Mr.- NeilD and Francis Merivale
CBenn Howard) were both in love with
her; or that the latter as the villain,
tried to overreach the former, who was
the true object of her affections. One
couldn't reprobate the villain very
much; he had such good reason to dis
like the captain and try to win the
heiress.
Three scenes were especially striking
The first, when Fanny Haddens dress
caught in the door and she tried to
reach for the knob, which is in the
middle of the stage. This was an ex-
cellent portrayal of the pettishness, fear
embarrassing
ton and coy pleading to the captain to
help her out of her difficulty. The var
ious intonations and variations of the
words. Give ii me-" showed what var
led meaning can be given to a single
sentence. The next good scene was in
the lawyers office when the gallant
captain refuses to look at his creditor
who is his sweetheart but whom he
supposes to be man. The by-play of
Miss Chapman was inimitable, as the
captain speaks of his creditor in not
too amicable terms. Lastly the scene
at the sun dial in the last act, was
really idylic. The opening between
Fanny and Polly Messiter Julia Dean)
where they use the old He loves me, he
loves me not" with novel treatment,
was charming, and then the love MAX
ing of Fanny to the captain and its
rapid transition from delicate humor
to tender pathos was delightful.
Frank MacVicars made an excellent
dean Mr.. MacVicars plays old men ad-
mirably. and he has a voice which is
clear as a bell, every tone of it can be
heard. Lillian Andrews does equally
well in the role of old woman: and her
enunciatiOn is also faultless. Julia
Dean is a charming little actress. carry
ing on the traditions of a great theatre
cal name most worthily. Bonn How
ards villain was polished and low
keyed. Shackleford's Jorkins, with his
Called me a fool; Lord love him; just
like his father" was thoroughly funny.
One would have liked to have heard
what Smithers John w. Burton) said.
1t would have added to the interest of
the play. Mr. Bloomquist had more of
part than he had in "An American
Citizen" and rose to it.
There were one or two places where
the acting was not quite smooth nota-
bly, in the scene where the captain mas
querades as the dean in order to throw
the baliff off the scene, but It soon re-
covered, and with the entrance of Miss
Andrews. the fun ran merrily along.
| should recommend playgoers not to
miss Lady Windermere's Fan" 1t is
an extraordinarily brilliant play. and
one in which the main work falls upon
the ladies. It will be given on Friday
night. THE OLD PLAY-GOER.