The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-05-09
THE DRAMA.



1t is a long time since Honolulu has
seen a theatrical performance like
that given by Frederick Warde and
company last night at the Opera
House, and the undoubted success of
Warde's first night augurs well for a
season that will encourage other first
class attractions to come here. There
was not a seat vacant in the house
when the curtain rose on the first act
OF Sheridan Knowles "Nirginius" At
ter long period of comedy and light
drama, Honolulu people responded to
the Legitimate readily. The strong
scenes of the old Roman play were
welcome change from the acts and
scenes of modern comedy dramas that
have held the boards 50 long here.
1t was in the fourth act that Warde
won the house. The three previous
acts, laying a foundation as it were for
the powerful scenes that were to fol-
low, were quietly received, but after
the close of the scene where Virginius
is called to Rome to defend his child
from the trumped-up charge that she
is slave, the actor carried his audi
ence with him in a way that showed
how his Worldwide reputation has
been won. 1t was the strong tragedian
who has earned the title of the great
est Nirginius of the modern stage, in
the strongest scene of the play, and
the one scene was worth a whole per-
torrance. Warde was recalled until
he responded with a short speech. 1t
was a graceful word of thanks for a
reception that had been fully earned,
and the short address, complimenting
Honolulu on the character OF the audi
ence and expressing hope that the
work to come would find favor, greatly
pleased those assembled. In substance
he said:
Il have only been a few hours in
your beautiful Island home but | feel
as though l was under the spell of
Queen Nab. To witness such an audi
ence almost makes me think that 1 am
playing in one OF the capitals of Europe
instead OF this lonely city far out in
| the Pacific on the Island OF Oahu. For
your pleasant reception l thank you
/ heartily. TO my brother Elks, whom
| recognize through these COlorS, | eX-
tend cordial greeting. 1 feel already
that am among friends and hope To
meet many Of You personally before |
depart for the mainland. If my efforts
nave pleased you l am grateful, ana
again thank you
in Rome, came more sensat iOnal eli
max, but not one that impresses more
| strongly with the power of the actor
| Inc loving father who pleads his cause
before Appius Claudius, to the last eX-
tremity ot both language and resist
ance, and then, rather than see his
daughter dishonored, Stays her before
the tyrant deceiVer, was shown as only
a student and tragedian OF the highest
stamp could have shown him. Perhaps
| because OF touch OF melodrama, the
close of this act did not seem to carry
the audience as did the former, but
nevertheless, the portrayal of a trying
scene in mastery manner was ac-
knoWledged 1t has been said that the
play of Nirginius should end here, but
in the performance last night the sub
sequent, final scenes in the lives of
both the tyrant and the father were
among the best of the evening.
In the last act Warde is the mailman,
his mind unhinged by the horror of the
events that have ruined his home. APP
Plus Chaldius, overwhelmed by the ris-
ings of Rome against the oppressor, is
a prisoner, and Nirginius closes the
tragedy by killing the oppressor re-
gaining sanity at the close as he
grasps the urn that holds his daugh-
Ter aSneS. BOth Warue and Charles
ID. Herman, who took the part of APP
Plus Claudius, carried this part of the
act with great success while in the
home scene where his wandering SEN
SEES make Nirginius forget his daugh-
ter's death and call for her repeatedly,
Warde achieved a great triumph.
The company on the whole showed to
very good advantage. Barry John
stone as "lcilius,' made a good first
night impression on those who had not
seen him before, and did not disappoint
those who knew his work. Francis ID.
McGinn's "Dentatus" was a good piece
of acting and Miss Antoinette Ashton
as Virginia deserves praise.
As "Caius Claudius," Harry c. Bar
ton did a good share Of the successful
work of the evening.
The scenery and management, as was
naturally expected, was open TO no OBJ
jections, and it Is safe to predict that
Honolulu viii not be disappointed in
its long-looked-for season of legitimate
drama.
Tomorrow afternoon THE MOunte-
bank" will be produced and in the ev-
ening Julius Caesar"