Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-06-05

:; Merton, Bedford's assistant. =
. .................Pe Perry Girton. {:
. - 3
:: .: :. = = :. 3: = 8: :. .. = aaat3:
So excellent was the presentation Of
"Raffles" by The Players" at the
Bijou theater last night that the mem
bers of the audience almost forgave
the performers for the delay in OPEN
ing the show-the curtain rising
promptly at 8: 50--also for the lengthy
wait of about half hour between
acts two and three; fortunately the
sole change Of scenery for the produc-.
ton. -. .s,.... r.. + -. ~ il. =
Action is the keynote of the entire
four acts, which tell the story OF the.
amateur cracksman who puts his brain,
against Scotland Yard and steals for
the mere pleasure of stealing always
returning to his victim the spoils Of
the schase."
Finding himself pitted against Cap
tain Bedford, detective who follows
his end OF the game for the love of
the sport, Raffles takes the greatest
delight in appropriating the priceless
EAmersteth diamonds and entering
hare and hounds" contest with the
thief-taker who scorns to associate
with England's great police organiza-
ton. Scotland Yard. ! y
Throughout the entire four acts the
chase Is swift and strong, with Raffles
first in the lead, then overtaken and
Bedford holding the trump card. Love,
jealousy and hate play conspicuous
parts in the movement of the drama
and each and every member OF the
company handles his or her part in the
most satisfactory manner. The play
ers are In perfect control of their lines
throughout the entire play and the ac-
ton, while the actors are onSthe stage.
is at all times rapid. II is one of the
best things The Players have done
since their advent In Honolulu. ~
George Webb in the title part is at
his best, while Florence Oakley, as
the girl with whom Raffles falls in
love. is exceptionally clever. Tho
love scenes between Webb and Miss
Oakley are exceedingly well handled
The story of the play opens with
Raffles and Bedford meeting at the
home OF Lord yAmersteth where they
are guests, together with a selected
party of the British elite and woman
who has loved Raffles in the past.
That love is renewed when they meet
at Winchester Abbey and, irrespective
of the fact that she is the wife OF an
other, Mrs. Vidal yearns for Raffles'
love, which has been lost to Gwendolin
Conron. - -. tn.
Being cognizant of Raffles identity
as the amateur cracksman' about
whom all London is raying, Mrs. Vidal
determines upon his .undoing and,
throwing in her lot with Captain Bed.
ford agrees to identify him in case he
is arrested. ..s
Raffles realizes that there are too
many against him and that the chase
is almost ended. He is preparing to
leave England and return to his native
| "NeVerneyer" land Of Australia, when
IGwendolin appears upon the scene to
warn him of his impending capture by
Bedford. She, however, arrives too
late. Raffles makes full confession
to her and refuses to ruin her life
H.
suit Of an alliance with him
The trap is ready to spring ON, the
amateur craftsmen and Bedford is
eongratHlatiag himself upon his bril-.
liant capture when-well, the unex-
pected happens, but that is too good
to tell. 1t is worth q trip to the Bijou
to get the action la the closing scene.
There is a great surprise sprung at
the last moment that would be spoiled
in the telling. -. .s.4,s. &.ss;a l.. ..
Without mentioning the names, Of
the different characters in the play
they appear above in the cast-it
might be well again to say that there
Is not one Of the company who is not
worthy of the highest praise for their
work in Raffles. 81 y s..,...,.
Mr.. Webb Makes Curtain Talk .
Between the third and final act Mr..
Webb made clever little curtain talk
in which he absolved the entire com.
pany from any responsibility for the
lateness of the hour at which the in
itial curtain rises and for the tire
some delays between acts .neeessitat-
ing changes Of scenery. IT, ~. -
Local talent is entirely to blame, de-
clared Mr.. Webb. ~
Mr.. Webb may be correct in this as
sertion but it would appear to an out
slider that it is Mr.. Webb's business to
see to it that the local help performs
its work on time. 1t is asserted that
the carpenter who erected the stair
case used in two acts of Raffles--a
flocal man-did not have the job com.
pleted until late yesterday, notwith.
standing the fact that he had had
four days in which to do the work. Ii
Is also stated that Mr.. Webb carries