The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1901-11-18
THE DRAMA.

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The tendency 20 turn books into plays
has hampered the work of many mod
ern authors. They always have one eye
on the reading public ana another on
the stage, ana consequently write poor
literature and eNagRerate their Incl
dents ON the other hand many books
which were never intended for dramatt-
zation, have furnished very excellent
plays and among these is Ouida's I'm
der Two Flags" which was produced by
the NELL company on Saturday and
received an ovation, an ovation mainly
due to the excellent rendering OF olga
rette' by Edythe Chapman.
Louisa de Ia Rame, who has for more
than quarter Of a century written un-
der the pseudonym Of Ouida, has pro-
duced "a number Of very absurd. and
very unwholesome books "Strathmore'a
and "Chandos' are typical of her rais-
ing the wonderful being, cavalry Of
fcer to the pinnacle upon which the
average nurse maid might gaze with
awe and wonder. Puck and "Moths''
were essentially meretricious, vulgar
and unwholesome She has written,
however, the most charming of pure
sketches of Italian life, and Of animal
life In Under Two Flags" she is
probably at her best, and the dramatist
has made the best of her best. II is a
story of self sacrifice Of selhshness giv-
ing way to true honor. and of unmerited
misfortune nobly borne. This makes
the motive essentially dramatic, and
suitable for dramatic representation,
which cannot be said OF many stage
adaptations Of novels.
The Neill company was quite equal to
the task before it. The play of last
Saturday was well mounted, well stag
ed, appropriately dressed, and with one
or two minor bitches, such as the sand
storm and a too hasty entrance AS
smooth as if it had been running for
a number of nights.
The hOnors of the piece go to Edythe
Chapman. This gifted lady is a most
versatile actress. Whatever character
she essays she throws herself into
con amore. She may represent a high
born lady with all her mincing graces
one evening and the next she may be a
jolly romping girl carrying all the fun
of the play with a veTve and vitality
which makes the veriest curmudgeon
smile. In a part like that of Cigarette
where she has to be dashing, pathetic,
whimsical, repressive of sentiment. yet
show her audience what her true heart
is, Miss Chapman has most difficult
part to fill. and she fills il admirably
Blanche Bates has made a hit with
Cigarette" but Miss Chapman's "Ciga-
rette" is a much better thought out
Cigarette" than the more clustering
effort of the former lady. The whole. of
the play rests on Cigarette" If that
! character is good it carries the play, IL
not, 1t damns it, Miss Chapmans
Cigarette carried the play to triumph
as the frequent recalls and enthusiasm
| showed. Some of Miss Chapman's elo-
| cuton was heart touching. Take for
instance that beautiful piece of recita-
tion describing the mutiny of a troop
| of cavalry
or the rest of the characters one can
ohly say that but for one exception the
support was thoroughly good. As BERTHE
! cecil, Mr.. NELL played the man OF the
! world and then the outeast officer with
aDlllty. There are parts in which oU,a
! likes Mr.. NELL better. his Baron Chew
reuil being one of his masterpieces hut
what ever Mr.. NELL does, he does well
and conscientiously
MISS Dean made a charming Princess.
! her appearance is always all in her ia
! Vor, and she has such a charming. SYM
| palmetto voice and so gentle manner.
! George Bloomquest had a part that.
suited him and as Rake. BERTHE Cecil's
! servant, he won continued applause. He
Is painstaking young actor and has
! the stun in him to succeed. MacVicars
Is always good all round actor, and
whether prominent or not there is NOT
a slouchy line or a bit of by play missed.
Robert Morris Black Hawke was a
fine piece of playing.
1t is pity that Honolulu should only
see Under Two Flags" once. 1t Is a
hne play and that will be well worth
repeating. 1t is to be hoped 1t will form
| a portion of the repertoire when the
! NeilIs return.
A. H. X