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

lous. Yes, as spectacle, THE Sho.
Gun" ranks high. One costume alone,
a creation In glittering gold, is held
at $7G0. Honolulu's Oriental element
aids nightly in costuming such a pro-
dnction. Here we have the real thing!
Musical Director A. r. Cunha and
Messrs. Will Levers and L. Yong
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
Sho-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.
.ners depicting fish and birds hung in
Japanesque style from above the por,
tails. On each side wisteria fell in
purple profusion over the walls and
lanterns lit the scenes impressively.
The audience sat under the open sky
and though a few drops of rain fell,
they were unnoticed. More than half Ga
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 conve-
ninet entrances Tigft and left, while
the steps and pillaFed lanai on Bishop
Hall was unusually effective in aid
ing the ensemble p
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 direction
OF the veteran Sonny" Cunha In a
local production and to 1t much OF the
success OF The Sho-G Gun" well de-
serves to be ascribed. 9
Mrs. Bessie Abbot Rowland as
Hunni Bun, niece Of the Shotgun, had
the leading feminine role and empha-
sized q reputation already we'll earn.
ed. Her sweet voice and the instru-
mental music blended splendidly. Her
performance last night surpassed that
in Mile. MOdiste, Approximately Re-
membered by Honolulu playgoers. And
her experienced ease and sure touch
in her scenes were. consistent from be-
ginning to end.
Winsome In q tasteful blue skimono
hung with white chrysanthemdfhs, 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. NIX
Somehow comment on the charac.
ters in The Sho-Gun" inevitably re-
solves itself into comment on pairs,
for they pair OF most Ipleasingiy. Bet.
ty Brown, q Seattle girl made her de-
but before q local audience last night
and more than upheld the predictions
made in advance as to her stage work.
With q clear, sweet and strong mezzo.
soprano voice and with good stage
presence, she took the part OF a Japa-
nese widow very successfully. Her
partner as the .suppositious curtain
fell was the American promoter, VIII
liam Henry Spangle. the "irrepressible
Yank,. the noneha1ant chap already
spoken OF. william Z. Warren did
this more then well-he made the
part bnIly-to. use an appropriately
American word. His running fire of
slangy comment kept the audience in
laughter whenever he was on the
staee.
Another comedy part well done was
that of Hank Pank, dispenser of made
over provems. W. A. Aldrich took IL
and took il we'll indeed. ~ -.
F. B. DunWell as the Sho-Gun was
a hit, with q clever makeup. and a
good bass voice.
Mrs. Sallie Hume Douglas, wearing
a particularly gorgeous costume, effec-
lively acted the part Of the Grundy,
like dowager HiFaloot r. T. Prince
as high priest, r. E. Lambert as a
messenger; w. r. McClintock as u.
s. ensign and A. E. Tinker as a mill
tary grandee, all we're unusually good.
Miss Ruth Seybolt and Miss G. Mason
were very acceptable aides in the gen.
eral success of the cast. II
Two clever dancing numbers were
Interpreted to good advantage. Mrs.
Rowland IN a modification Of ballet
costume and Mrs. Alice Hayward in
Japanese costume gave the dances and
were greeted with warm applause.