The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-07-24
FINE PLAYS At
OPERA HOUSE
The KilOhana Art League Has
Met the Public
Expectation.

1t might have been Madison Square
theater, New York, and trained pro-
fessional company presenting the play
instead of an actor and half dozen
amateurs, at the Hawaiian Opera
House last night in ''Lady Fortune. -
Many professional companies that
/ present long and successful runs on
Broadway have given far worse per-
formances night after night to APP
lplauding multitudes than the quiet lit
tie company of ladies and gentlemen
offered to Honolulu last evening.
Lady Fortune" is dainty one act
Icomedy from the Royal Globe Theater
: London. 1t tells the story of the love
of an artist and the devotion of a
foolish young Lord to a charming girl
who believes she is masquerading as a
lpauper, when in reality her fortune has
gone to the winds OF course it all
comes out right in the end and the
artist sells great picture while
the Lord goes out to look for another
bride.
DR. Humphris was discovered at the
rise of the curtain masqnerading as a
London solicitor. 1t was the DR.
Humphris of twenty years from now
and a charming old gentleman he was
He brought atmosphere which was on
~ heightened by the entrance of Ella
: Wight as a maid of all work-a part
of ten lines, but in the hands of an
artist it glittered like a gem. Mrs
Fred K. Waterhouse as Mrs. Cunliffe
played the part of a mother in misfor
tune with charming grace and a fnesse
that was far removed from the work
of an amateur. Dainty Kate, the
heroine (Mrs. DR.. Humphris in private
life), received an ovation as she
tripped in from R. V. E. and gave the
tip of her finger to the family solicitor
to kiss. Her work was charming and
consistent throughout. Many metro
lpolitan company would be lucky tc
secure such a leading lady, Her work
was only amateurish by courtesy.
There is only one James Wilder, ar
fist, and he played to perfection. /
was part that fit like glove, poo
chap in love- a man who could appre
ciate the sale of picture of his owl
creation to an art connoisseur at
r great price, and the look of exultatiol
that spread itself over the face of tn
actor when he waved the imaginar,
check that brought fame and family
troubles was thing not soon to b,
forgotten. Nor is the impression mad
actor, author and poet, likely to sool
pass from the memory of those wht
, attended the performance at the Oper;
House last night. Wilder and Harvey
were perfect foils for each other, ant
each scored his points to perfection
Harvey is a low comedian of excellent
talent, while the comedy of Wilder i
along gentler lines, yet the two worked
in splendid harness. Such a perform
ance as that given last night by the
little company appearing in "Lady
Fortune is convincing evidence thai
with strict and severe stage manage
ment of professional order Honolulu
could present an amateur stock com
pany equal in merit and ability, as {
whole, to anything that has yet visited
us from the States or elsewhere. TIL,
promoters and performers of "Lady
Fortune deserve the thanks of the
community and degree of encourage
ment that will induce them to do il
again and again, that room may not
be left for fools to rush in where
angels fear to tread-whieh they usual
ly do in amateur theatricals.
Lady Fortune" was preceded BY
a trialogue curtain-raiser, "Second
Thoughts "a pretty little comedy
Mr.. Arnold, Miss de Lartigue and Miss
Bruce had the parts. 1t is to be hoped
that both plays may be repeated.
The ladies of the Kunalu Boat Clut
ushered and had private box after
wards.
Following is the program:
SECOND THOUGHTS.