Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-09-08

r. theatrical loving people are al
ways fond OF the theatre, and IN
Honolulu, where II has always
been a great expense TO brins good
t@lcnt here, a problem has always con-
fronted the theatre lover. OF course
today II is much more simple with
steamers once or twice a week and
companies on the wing from either
the mainland, the Antipodes or the
Orient with the usual stop off priv
leges many very good things have
come here and then again Honolulu
folk travel a lot, and they are no
sooner in a theatre city than the show
and musical offerings are the first
thing inquired about. So here we have
learned to depend lot on local talent
for our pleasure. In the last twenty
five years or more several theatrical
clubs have started, and very auspi-
ciously after a while and without
much warning the enthusiasm of the
members becomes a memory.
The mask and wig started about
twelve or thirteen years ago and kept
up very we'll for three years and then
it became a memory. In 1915 the
Footlights came into existence and
they put on several very good plays
and in every case played to crowded
houses. It is still an active organiZa-
ton and fills a splendid niche in this
city and now comes a new club.
In the Footlights the first year Mrs.
Frank r. Day was president, the sec
ond year Mrs. Walter Dillingham; pre-
sided and this year Mrs. Alfred Castle
4 fills that important office.
The club Just formed has been call
ed Laniakea Little Theatre Co., and
it will be almost an experimental
school, as so many clubs have proved
themselves to be. r."
Mrs. Roger Noble Burnham, whose
picture is in this issue Of the Star
Bulletin, has been a member of Prof.
George p. Bakers Workshop Co. Of
New York City. and is we'll qualified
for the task she has undertaken here.
Nothing but good plays will be put on,
in this one may say toy theatre, and
the series Of plays and playlets that
will be presented this winter will all
be for the benefit of the allied war
relief. Miss Helen Alexander, by her
foresight and keen ambition, has made
il possible to put on plays, for at pres
ent we are without a theatre here,
wherein a large company can be
housed. Laniakea is a coy, honey
spot, and here for the next five years,
until we have theatre and audito-
rum fitting, the wealth and import
ance Of Honolulu, Laniakea will be
used. All credit is due Miss Alexan-
der for her enterprise in the mat
ter. The club is extremely fortunate
IL having Mrs. Isaac Cox take hold
Of the publicity end, for with her capa.
bility splendid campaign Of public |
fly will be inaugurated, and as every
one of the plays put on are wholly for |
the benefit Of the allied relief they
make strong appeal to our sympathy,
and this will be delightful way to,
assist The club gives the pleasure,
you get the pleasure and the allied
relief gets the money. Can one imag-l
inc anything finer or better. This
club is to be stock organization and
is here to stay. No member will ever
ask you to buy tickets, for they will
only be on sale at Gurry's Art Shop
and Laniakea, and Mrs. Burnham
says 1t Is not to be hold-up in any
way, just plain, clean, good acting by
home folk, and here in Honolulu Is
any amount of splendid talent as has
been amply proved in the past.
Punahou boasts a dramatic club,
and from 1t come many of those who
are members of the Laniakea Little
Theatre Co. Rehearsals are three
times week-Monday, Wednesday
and Friday. Mrs. Burnham is coach
ing the cast and it gives promise of
being extremely good.