Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-06-09
BIjOU PLAY Is
GOOD ARGUMENT
FORslFFRAGETIE
1.-The Butterfly on the Wheel
Less a Divorce Than a
Woman'S Drama

Such play as The Butterfly on the
Wheel" which was presented last ey-
ening at the BijOu theater by The
Players All-Star Company" does more
to help the cause Of the militant Suf-
Efragettes than an infinite number OF
broken windows and cracked crowns.
1t is a good, strong play, and success
fully hits more than one nail on the
head. Although this drama has been
advertised and made known to US as
an English divorce play, there is a
more vital thread running through 1t
than that concerning the question OF
divorce, and that is the absolute help
lessness of the English woman on any
point of law. No explanation, no sug-
gestion Of the answer is attempted,
but the situation is wildly presented
and it held the attention of last nights
audience as in afvice.
1t is the first time this drama has
been presented in Honolulu and the
authors, Hemmerde and Nelson, are
not particularly well known. Structur-
ally, the play has been written about
several striking scenes,I rather than
these scenes being the inevitable re-
suits of the plot. But this is fault
common to a large majority Of mod.
ern plays and the fact that the scenes
are big enough and compelling enough
to keep the interest of the audience
at the top notch is the secret of its
success. A rather extraordinary and
interesting feature about the play is
the fact that it opens practically at
the climax, the customary bright
first act, for the purpose of contrast,
is quite lacking. The settings are
very good, particularly the court
scene, and the play Is undoubtedly
one Of the best in the long list pre-
scented by this capable company. a
The story of the plot concerns
young society matron whose husband
is so deeply engrossed In his parlia-
mentary career that he has no time
for his wife, leaving her to seek COM
partnership elsewhere. Her fondness
for admiration. together with her lone
illness, causes her to accept the atten-
ton of Mt. Collingwood, a leisurely
gentleman of fashion. A trap to ruin
her is cunningly devised by disap-
pointed rival, who assumes the role
of friend, and into this pit, foolish,
innocent little Peggy falls, escaping
only after a most heartbreaking expe-
rience in the high court of justice from
which she energies saddened but
wiser woman. - -.s-....-...
In the part of the Butterfly" Miss
Florence Oakley has big opportunity
to display her dramatic powers, and
in the tenHe trial scene, when she
hurls her defiance at the court, she
was splendid, and richly deserved the
repeated curtain calls she received. AS
Roderick Collingwood, the gentleman
of fashion, who was also gentleman
of honor as it happened, Mr.. George
Webb was up to his usual standard
and looked as well as acted the part
Jack BelgraVe accomplished neat
piece of work as the tactless diplomat
and was keenly apDreciatiye, as was
the audience, of the humorous bits
allotted him. Miss Inez Raglan was
all that could be desired in the rather
thankless part Of Lady Atwell. the
false friend. while Mr.. Guy Hitner
impersonated George Admission, the
husband. The minor parts were all
very capably handled.
Each person attending last nights
performance was presented with a SOU
venir picture of Mr.. Hitner. and the
announcement was made by Mr. Webb
that on Thursday, the opening night
of Alias Jimmy Valentine" souve-
mir picture of Miss Oakley will be
given away.
The Butterfly on the Wheel will
be repeated tonight and tomorrow
night.