The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-02-12
SARA PERRY.
Especial Correspondence
n OSTON, Jan 2O.-Edmond Ros-
tand's dramatic poem, .L'Aig-

- osToN, Jan. 2O.-Edmond Ros-
tand's dramatic poem, IL Aig-
lon,'' with Maude Adams in the
title role, is running the second week at
the Hollis Street Theater before crowded
houses. Charles Frohmans company
differs from the Bernhardt- Coquelin
combination in that no one or two actors
stand pre-eminently above the support
and the comparatively even acting lis
far more satisfactory. A high order of
ability is demanded to enter the Froh-
man company. 1t may be admitted that
the part of The Eaglet,'' Napoleon's
unhappy son, is excellently rendered by
Miss Adams. Rostand wrote the play
for Bernhardt, and she declares that
such parts as Hamlet and PAiglon are
best rendered by women. These roles, -
she says, portray youths of 20 or Il
with the minds of men of 40. A boy of
20 cannot understand the philosophy Of
Hamlet or the poetic enthusiasm of
FAigIon, and without understanding
there is no deIineauon of character. The
woman more readily looks the part, yet
has the maturity OF mind to grasp it.
Now | beg leave to differ with the ''di-
vine" Sarah and state that l do not en-
joy seeing a woman essay the part of
a man. | never expect to see again any
thing like Edwin Booths characterize
ton of the melancholy Dane
[ felt a thrill of pride in the strong
work of Mr. William Levers, he keike 0
Hawaii, in the role of a conspirator un-
| der the guise of a French tailor. The
accompanying cut represents Miss
Adams, Mr. Levers and Miss Perry in
the scene during which the young Ma
poleon learns that the tailor and the
modiste are friends in disguise.
) The play begins in the autumn of 1880
at the Austrian court where young Ma
pCleon IL, Duke of Reichstadt, is kept
practically a prisoner by his GRANDPA
ther, the Emperor Franz, and also by
! Prince Metteruich the great Chancellor,
who is ever watchful lest the youth es-
cape and endanger the peace of Europe.
Maria Louisa, widow of Napoleon, and
now a widow a second time, is receiving
the attentions of Count Bombelles. In
| her frivolity she secretly imports a
! French modiste for herself and a tailor
! for her son. When the opportunity oc-
ours, these reveal themselves to the
young Duke, tell him of his great popu-
larity in France, and urge him to fly.
Rostand has represented his hero as hav-
ing the constitutional irresolution of
and self-distrust. Now he dreams to sue
ceed his great father, now he is too fee
BILE and helpless for empire. But he is
interchangeable in study. hoping to fit him
self for the throne. His teachers, whom
Metternich provides, carefully conceal
from him the real history of his fathers
victories, but the young Prince gets al
the truth and the first act is brought TO
an end by his clandestine interview with
Fanny Elssler. the little court dancer
who gives him a lesson in history, which
she has committed to memory. The sec
ond act opens q year later at Schoen-
brunn in the Princes apartments, the IA
nous lacquered chambers, which the
great Napoleon had occupied after wag-
ram. The royal youth is about to take
his lesson in the art of war. He finds to
his amazement and joy that some one has
painted the wooden soldiers he is wont
to use so that they are no longer in the
white uniform of Austria, but French,
Metternich enters and a stormy scene
follows. The young Duke is deprived OF
his marionettes but one of Metternich's
spies whispers, Silence. my lordi II