The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-05-06

- ' vas presented with great celia
last evening before a. Representative
audience Of Honolulu piay-goers an
| muslc-ioVers. The evidently SINGER
/ enthusiasm with which the productio
was greeted augurs a hit when til
/ piece IS put on under profession
| auspices, it being understood that thi
/ IS the hrst actual presentation of tn
Ahkund, which has been sold to Messr.
JulIus and Benjamin Kahn OF Ne,
York, who will shortly present
| metropolitan performance The plot
| interesting while not oyertaxing to tn
| bralns of an audience and the iibrett
throughout is of lively strain. The rnl
sic by Mr. Gerard Barton, who per
sonafiy conducted his opera last night
IS piquant and in the star number
likely to live in the memory of hearers
Mr.. Barton has invested his compost
ton with happy and consistent swing
that should go far to ensure civic sue
cess.
The production was well sung. mag
nificently eostumed and heartily greet
ed. the efforts of Honolulu's mos
talented amateurs being evidently ap.
preciated by the crowded mousse
The story turns on the rnasquerad
ing adventures of an actor, down or
his luck. as Hindu Prince. He is tax.
en- up by Newport society and the rea
prince, arriving on the scene, is sug-
jected to many indignitfes, his royalty
being only recognized by one girl, who
of course marries him after everything
has turned out happily.
The entire musical success of the
presentation is due to the composer.
Mr. Barton's efforts. seconded only by
Mr.. w. D. Adams as stage director.
Mrs. e. ID. Tenney, besides adding
much to the interest of the performance
in her individual role, has been an un-
failing aide in promulgating and car
ryirg out the performances
The cast of the Ahkund is even
lengthier than the chorus and individ-
ual praise however well deserved
would fill many columns and exhaust
the adjectives of an ordinary writer
Among those who were particularly
prominent in the success may be men
toned the following:
Mrs. Tenney, as Stella Seabright, a
soubrette. threw herself into her role
with a yfvacity that contributed much
to the general success. Her singing
and dancing were vigorously encored
and her dramaS.J work was chic and
while her costumes were
original, becoming and thoroughly
consistent. Indeed the dressing of the
various parts calls for the highest COM
mendation from that of the wee mid
shipmite. Master Rafael Lake, to the
leading lady, though who she was the
critic avows himself unable to deter
nine The dresses of Mesdames Ben
son, Camp and Hibberdine perhaps de-
serve especial mention with Mrs. Ten
hey, though everyone looked well and
save from the hands of an
Expert modiste, would be futile.
Mrs. Camp. as the Knickerbocker
lame, was excellent in tone and ges-
IRE as was Mrs. Hibberdine, repeating
Ter Pirate triumphs as her daughter,
drs. Benson, as Mrs. Poppfeton, a Chi
ago pork rnagnate's better half, and
1isss Hartnagle as a dairynaid.
None of the parts of the Ahkund are
preeminent but the sweetly
uned voices of Mrs Camp, Mrs Hib-
erdine and Miss Hartnagle were
mong the most appreciated bits of the |
pera. Miss Jennie Giffard Mrs. |
,ougherty and Mrs. E. NJ. Boyd were
fetching as summer girls |!
nd Miss Marguerite Fisher contribut |
d a well played little bit as Jennie |
oppIeton.
James D. Dougherty in the title role |
as convincingly good in makeup and |
ction and his duet with Mrs. Hibber-
ne was perhaps the star musical num-
er of the performance.
Raymond c.. Brown, as the mock
and Guy Livingston, as his
de partner proved most efffcacious I
laughter making, giving well con-
lived Characterization of their roles.
r. Brown is a decided acquisition to
onolulu theatricals, musical or dra-
attic. Mr.. Herzer was good as the pork
ECKER and Mr.. E. NJ. Boyd quietly
ever as Patrolman Flynn. Messrs. NJ.
Webb, Clarence Waterman, w. l..
anley and Henry vierra Were sue
ssful in their parts as were Fred B.
ngus, Walter Beakbane, DR.. Bur-
IS. A. S. Brown and U. n. Known
minor roles.
The chorus at large should not be
rgotten adding as they did in TO small
sasure to the pleasures of the even
g. They were. besides those mention
Mrs. Atwood. Clifford Kimball and
f. Leslie, Misses Gladys Fisher,
an Center, NJ. E. KelIner. Macfar-
ne, Benson, Alice Green and Irmgard
haefer and Messrs. G. C. S. Crabber
III. Harrison, Fl. S. Luhison, p G.
*, S. Isenberg. w. H. Soper. W. NJ
mpleton, Hastings Rowland, Clifford
inball and Arthur Wall.
The second act proved the most ap-
aciated last evening though the we'll
ng f1nales invariably provoked cur
n call. Mr.. Barton was called be-
= the footlights after the concluding
!, though he modestly escaped from
eech- making.
The Ahkund Of Swat should score
,ided success in professional hands
d its composer viii deservedly be
recipient of many congratulations
lay. It will be repeated tomorrow
.nfng to a crowded house and viii
9oubtedly firmly establish its right to {
classed as one of the most success T
amateur productions Honolulu has