The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-12-10
GARRIcK.

TarAulse, presented Tor the nrst time
In Detroit, Monday evening, In the
Garrick theater, proved TO be one or
the dramatic novelties OF the season.
and a play more than ordinarily in
teresting. in it's sIA ject matter and
treatment. as we'll as a stage picture
OF unusual beauty.
The play was dramatized from Rich.
ard Walton Tully's book OF the same
name. and its storl is laid In the Ha-
waiian islands, in the early 9Os, just
before the annexation OF the South sea
group to the United States. The prin-
cipal figures In the romance are
Luana, a Hawaiian princess, and three
Americans, two men and a girl or
the latter group. one Is derelict
American, who, for many years be-
fore the play opens, had succumbed
10 the flower covered fingers OF the
tropics" and so degenerated as TO
have become that scum OF the coasts,
beach comber. The insidious ma
tive drink. ava, has his In its de-
stroying clutches, and as he comes
into view on the opening picture,
which represents beach on the Puma
coast, with a native grass hut, he Is
mere semblance OF human being.
To this spot comes a steamer on its
way TO Molokai, the leper colony, and
II disembarks party on brief sight
seeing tour, the party including the
islands missionary and his wife, the
Rev Synsonby and Mrs. Synsonby,
Diana Larned, a young college girl
who Is visiting Hawaii TO gather ma
terial for book, and a young doctor.
Paul Wilson. who seeks the leprosy
bacteria, among the outcasts OF
Mololfai
AS the party lands, Luana and her
people are feasting, in honor OF her
birthday and the knowledge which
has Just been impaired TO her, by her
foster-father. the old priest, Hewa-
Hewa, that she Is a royal princess. In
scene that has a weird fascination
about II. presenting as 1t does, pic
ture OF the native Hawaiian OF the old
days, with his music and his hula
dancing. his superstitions and prfmi-
tive customs, the drama moves quick
ly forward to the point where Diana
brings the beach comber to his senses
and Luana casts her spell upon the
young doctor 80 that, as the first act
closes, Ten Thousand Dollar Dean
as the beach comber is known, fol-
lows Diana to Molokai, and the doctor
remains 10 eventually sink into the
degradation from which Dean Is re-
generated.
The play Is an exceedingly interest
ing exposition OF the old problem OF
the marriage OF the white man To the
woman OF the yellow race, OF the swift
and sure destruction. physically ana
morally, OF the man OF the north VINO
yields to the baleful spell OF the
tropics, and OF the dog-like fidelity and
heroic self.immolation OF which the
men and women OF semi'barbaric, alien
races, frequently are capable, for
those they love.
Miss Bessie Barriscale. as the Ha-
waian princess. gives a remarkable
presentation OF tho character, and her
work is In the highest degree, artistic.
She has beauty. grace and acting tai
ent that has the touch of genius, In
its sincerity and intelligence.
Guy Bates Post brings his we'll
rounded experience and ability to the
part OF the beach comber, and Lewis
S. Stone Is equally successful, in his
portrayal OF the difficult role OF the
young doctor. Miss Margaret Lang
ham. as Diana, adds to her marked
ability a voice whose tones and clear
ness OF speech, win an admirable elo-
cution. are a delight to the ear. These
four carry the burden OF the play, al
though every spoken, and uAspoken
part. is capably filed. A group OF
native Hawaiian players, singers, ana
dancers maintains the atmosphere OF
the play, the sweet and weird music
and plaintive, chanting songs hoatng
above the drama, like incense.
The four scenes are beautifully and
correctly staged The curtain falls on
a picture OF Kilauea, the volcano. Into
whose fiery, seething depths, Luana
plunges, Offering herself as sacrince
for her people, in the barbaric belief
that a human life, so given, Will ap-
pease the wrath OF the goddess OF the
crater. This scene is remarkably
realistic
Altogether THE Bird Of Paradise
ia more than worth while. The play
will remain in the Garrick throughout
the week with a matinee on Wednes-
day and Saturday.
Monday evening, Dec. 16, the COM
edy, Ready Money" which had It's
premiere on the Garrick stage, VIII
return for weeks engagement.
ELLA MAE HAWTHORNE.