Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-02-13
THE DEVIL Wins
APPLAUSE At
BlJOU

The Devil" risQue If you please
bizarre, clever, with biting satire aud
sharp Wit and as sally constituencies
as His Satanic Majesty is popularity
imagined, made his theatric bow to
the p.aygoing public OF Honolulu last
night through the medium of James
Dillon and the Worlds Fair Stock
Company at the Bijou. And it is
surmised that the Evil One fulfilled
every expectation.
To te quite frank with the public,
this wonderful conception O: Frank
! Molnars imagination does not pro-
vide entertainment for persons Of
prUdish inclination. Those who went
last night expecting to be shocked
we're given the thrill they sought
The theme presenting the struggle
CT conscience in a young artist who
still loves and is loved by his old
sweetheart, after the latter has mar
RED a gentleman CT means is filled
with naughty suggestiveness from
start to finish. In the end the Devil
who predominates and takes control
of every situation, wins his way, evil
thoughts triumph and the honorable
husband like all married men, deaf,
dumb and blind, is dishonored.
Briefly, it is a new style in problem
plays, wherein the auditor seeking
moral merit must ignore the plot and
give sole attention to the lightning
play of satire with which the Evil
Genius unmasks the innermost con-
science of men and women-chiefly
the latter. It's the kind of play that
is written to create endless argument
and warm criticism, and accomplishes
its purpose.
The role of "The Devil" is taken by
James Dillon, and those who have
seen him work in Honolulu are of the
opinion that he surpassed all previous
efforts last evening. His character
ization of Mephistopheles as a society
man was excellent, and he seemed
Better fitted for the part than any
other rCle in which he has been seen
in, Honolulu. His cynical epigrams
seemed to afford a more perfect in
sight into the thoughts of a certain
type of men and women. Mr.. billions
mannerisms, his enunciatIon, his very
acting was a revelation, and the audi
ence left the theater we'll pleased
or displeased, according 10 what they
went to see.
of Jolan. the wife of the unsuspecting
husband, once more demonstrated her
ability to perfectly portray any part
that she is given. In the last act,
where she has supposedly gave way to
the temptations offered her by the
Devil, she not only surprised the
Devil and her artist lover, but she also
had the audience guessing for'a while.
The excellent acting on ner part won
her more laurels in the eyes of the
Honolulu theater-goers.
John G. Wray, who takes the part
Of Jean Renaud, the artist, in love
with Jolan, who was not given the op-
pertunity last evening to seize the
success which has been offered him in
other plays. While the play dealt
chiefly with the opposite sex, yet the
part taken by Mr. Wray was probably
IS important as that taken by Miss
Brissac.. The artist, too, 'in. spite of
the disgrace which he knew IT. would
bring to the husband of the woman he
loved, faltered and fell under the temp
Special, mention must needs be made
Wrays acting last l.:eilt, as it has al
ways been, was good. Miss Ruth Van,
in the role of Mimi, the model, als1
deserves credit for her acting in that
difficult part. Evelyn Handy, as
Elsa 10th, the young society woman,
was particularly adapted to her part
Andras. the servant of ReHaud, was
we'll played by Ray Hanford:
Although it has been, praised by
sore and damned by others, 'FFhc
Devil" Is a play we'll worth seeing
Special mentions must needs be made
Of the scenery used IN the .produc' ion
OF the play last evening. No other
company, it would seem, has ever pre-
scented to Honolulu such stage settings
as has the Worlds Fair stock Com
pany. AS the curtain rose on the sec
end act last evening, the scene was
greeted with surprised applause.
The cast OF 1.-THE Devil" is as fol-
lows:
The Devil ..............T lanes Dillon
Jean Renaud ......... John G. Wray
Alfred Laszlo ....... Howard Nugent
AndraS .................R Ray Hanford
Servant ............ Rooney Brandt
First Gentleman ~. Lindley Phipps
Second Gentleman edward Edwards
Top .............. Harry McLenRan
Eliza 10th ...........E Evelyn Handy
Mimi Observation-Disclosures. Ruth Van
First I oII