Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1906-01-26
GREATEST NHODRANA
Of BUTLER SEASON

Here is a story wherein hearts afame
with love do noble battle against dark
villaity: wherein poetic justice tri
umphs at the end and a bloody feud
eliminates in a manner most romantic.
The National Stock Company last even
ing produced at the Orpheum theater
the finest melodrama of its splendidly
successful season. In The Black
Hand" a thrilling story of the Ken
lucky hills, Richard Butler and his
great company take the audience with
them at the start. holding an interest
throughout as sympathetic as II is in.
ense.
The situations are peculiarly artistic
and exceedingly strong. They stir to
a pitch of excitement seldom equalled
Surprise follows surprise in a manner
that maintains an excitement that
never Gibbs.
Richard Butler. as an oCulist, the
last of the Marcums In feud with the
Claytons, is the hero Of the play. His
life is in danger on every hand as soon
as he sets foot in the neighborhood OF
the Claytons. He falls in love with the
Clayton daughter and she is possessed
of the same tender emotion for him.
The idea of Marcum marrying a Clay.
ton is, in the light of the feud. impos.
sible, for Oldham Clayton has been
rendered blind by young Marcum's
father. Butler is the finished artist
in every detail of his performance. His
poise is perfect and his action grand.
Tom Lowell plays Gabe Stetson. lead
er Of The Black Hand. a band Of as
sassins. He has a passion for belle,
the daughter of Col. Clayton. She
spurns the villains suit andsthe man.
ner Of her several stirring escapes from
his power gives to the story a tremend
Gus zest.
In this part Lowell is better than IN
any previous production. As Gabe
Stetson he becomes the consummate
actor He does not oyerdraw. nor does
he fail In any particular to give each
line its full force. He Is splendid.
Charles Place takes the part Of blind
Colonel Clayton and does II thoroughly.
In the last act he brings down the house
with his unexpected unarming and
shooting of the leader Of the Black
Band
Rupert Drum makes good noun.
taineer and furnishes some of the
merriment Of the play. His laugh Is
not the smallest of his assets Henry
Auerbach as a Dutch grocer brings In
load of humor in his usual inimitable
style II. II. Earle as the prodigal son
Of Col. Clayton Is forceful and most
satisfactory, especially in the scene in
which he attempts to kill the hero.
| Ernest Wilkes shows well as Sheriff
Bangs and Walter Renfort makes up as
a lively mo account niger" Brenda
Fowler, as Belle. true daughter of th1
South, finds the tender places in the
hearts of the audience and pOurs into
them full measure of emotion. Louise
Orondorf, as Maria, fortune teller, Is
very dramatic.
Lillian Hayward in the part Of Mrs,
Clancy, a lone wildly, is immense and
supplies the greater portion OF the
comedy. Her brogue is excellent and
| refreshing and her manner is delicious
Her Interpretation OF this character Ii
but another proof OF the wonderful
versatility OF her talent. Juliettt
Chandler makes a rollicking dusky
maiden.
The house last evening was frequent
and enthusiastic in Its applause and the
| play was most decided hit. Tonight
/ and tomorrow The Black Hand" will
4 be repeated,