Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-02-24

Gun" ranks high. One costume alone,
creation in glittering gold, is held
at $7G0. Honolulu's Oriental element
aids nightly in costuming such pro-
duction. Here we have the real thing!
Musical Director A. r. Cunha and
Messrs. Will Levers and l.. Young
Correthers, who handled the staging
and effects, have worked together to
good advantage. Aided by the proved
ability of the leading members OF the
cast, they made good use of The
LSho-Gun's" many opportunities for
clever work behind the footlights.
The terrace of Bishop Hall was
transformed last night into the exte-
rior of a Japanese temple. Huge BAN
fners depicting fish and birds hung in
Japanesque style from above the por.
tails. On each side ewisteria fell in
purple profusion over. the walls and
lanterns lit the scenes impressively
The audience sat under the open sky
and though few drops of rain fell,
they we're unnoticed. More than half OF
the audience were hatless and in boxes
and chairs costly evening gowns, and
wraps and formal evening dress were
noticeably frequent. The stage was
set out on the terrace. giving conye-
.ninet entrances right and left, while
the steps and pillared lanai on Bishop
Hall was unusually effective in aid
ing the ensemble. =
4 The freshness and enthusiasm of
the performers was notable. They
went into their work heart and. SOUL
The orchestra was one of the best that
has ever worked under the direetion
Of the veteran Sonny" Cunha in a
local production and to it much of the
success Of THE Shotgun" well de-
serves to be ascribed.
Mrs. Bessie Abbot Rowland as
Hunni-Bun, niece of the Shotgun, had
the leading feminine role and empha-
sized a reputation already we'll earn
ed. Her sweet voice and the instru.
mental music blended splendidly. Her
performance last night surpassed that
in Mile. Modesto" appreciatively re.
membered by Honolulu playgoers. And
her experienced ease and sure touch
in her scenes were consistent from be.
ginning to end.
Winsome in a tasteful blue kimono
hung with white chrysanthemums, her
blonde hair contrasting with the hue
of the costume, Mrs. Rowland gave q
very delightful portrayal of the little
Japanese maid very much in love. And
Ned Steel, her lover ably upheld his
serio-comic part - the languishing,
signing, heart-throbbing bachelor.
Steel sang very well and the dual
work Of these two was one of the fea+
lures. a. =
Somehow comment on the charac.
tiers In The Sho-Gun" inevitably re-
solves itself into comment on, pairs,
for they pair of most pleasingly. Bet
ty Brown, . Seattle girl, made her de-
but before local audience last night
and more than upheld the predictions
made in advance as to her stage work.
With clear, sweet and strong mezzo-
soprano voice and with a good stage
presence, she took the part Of Japa-
nese widow very successfully. Her
partner as the suppositious curtain
fell was the American promoter, vii.
liam Henry Spangle, the "irrepressible
Yank," the nonchalant chap already
spoken of. William L. Warren did
this more than well-he made. the
part bully-to use an appropriately
American word. His running fire OF
sIangy comment kept the audience in
laughter wheneYerthe was on the
stage.
Another comedy part we'll done was
that of Hanki-Pank, dispenser of made.
over proverbs. W. A. Aldrich took it
and took it we'll indeed.
F. B. Dunweu as the Shotgun was
a HIT with a clever makeup and a
good bass voice
Mrs. Sallie Hume Douglas, wearing
a particularly gorgeous costume, effec-
lively acted the part of the Grundy,
Ike fdowager Hi.Faloet RI. Prince
as a high priest, R. E. Lambert as
messenger, w. r. McClintock as a U.
s. ensign and A. E. Tinker as a mill
tary grandee, all were unusually good
Miss Ruth Seybolt and Miss G. Mason
were very acceptable aides in the gen.
eral success of the cast.
Two clever dancing numbers were
interpolated to good advantage. Mrs.
Rowland in a modification of ballet
costume and Mrs. Alice Hayward in
apanese costume gave the dances and
were greeted with warm applause.