Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-10-06
FIRST PLAY At
lanai THEAIER
PROVES TREAT

4 little bit OF theatrical New York
was brought to Honolulu last night
and placed in the romantic tropical
setting OF Lanai theater. Thcater-
goers who had not witnessed rcat
Gotham production for years settled
back in the luxurious wicker chairs
as soon as the first notes OF the
music were heard. and prepared them
selves for a real treat. And they got
il. Nothing seen in Honolulu for a
long time can compare with the de-
iightlul four,act comedy. The Per
picked Husband" that was presented
TO the public for the first time last
night.
Under the capable direction Of Mrs
Roger y. Burnham, the director. who
also appeared as Mrs. MARCEL, the
perpleNed husbands sister, The piay-
let ran smoothly from the initial rise
to the final drop of the curtain. Peo-
pie who expected an amateur per-
Torrance were disappointed. There
were no Mating lines. confused numb
lings or hesitating steps to mark the
presentation as the WORK Of amateurs,
The little theater was crowded, AMI
the audience was made up Of people
prominent in HOnolulu& society.
The play was by Alfred Sutro and
told Of a circle Of enthusiastic, il some,
what misguided converts to the cause
of Suffrage-tut now suffrage,
wherein woman was seeking sex
equality. and struggling for the spir.
itual rplift OF her soul The story
told OF a young husband. Tom Polling,
who was ably portrayed by Donald
Blanding. Who, upon his return from
Russia, was coldly greeted by MS
wife and notified that she had en-
bracCd a new cause and expected TO
live her life apart from him. The
awkward and amusing situations re-
sulting from the husbands attempt to
reconcile his wife, caused the au-
dience to continually encore the play
ers.
Doctor Woodbury. portrayed Pitts,
the butler, the family ServitOr of 80
years. Doctor Woodbury.. while as
Stunning a minor role. showed his ia
miliarity with the requirements OF
the presentation. Miss Mary Won
Holt, who took the part Of Dulcie Eli
stead, the ardent follower Of the
cause, was excellent. I've fire Of her
spirit dominated the little theater,
and her acting was uneXcellcd. Miss
Ynez Gibson, as the young wife, was
charming. First. as the enthusiastic
follower. then as the jealous wife, and
finally as the surrenderins woman,
she displayed all the finer points of
acting. Her work was professional IN
every respect.
Mrs. Burnham, as the husbands sis
ter, while assuming a minor role, was
applauded frequently. She portrayed
the part of the one person in the play
who was leyelheaded. Donald Blan-
ding, as the distracted husband.
played his part excellently. Mr.. Burn.
ham, as Clarence Wcodhousc, the
master of the cult, VINO vaccllated be-
tween quackery and loyalty, was one
of the hits of the evening. Mr.. Burn
hams work showed that he has had
much experience in C.eatricais,
Mrs. Reynold McGrew, who pOr-
trayed the stenographer. kalleia da
V 1HSly NlIU was MOI llCN W
sculpture and wanted &c go to Athens,
was quite adorable. The simplicity
of her character, yet the worldliness
displayed in her lines, carried the au.
dience away.
During the intermtssions the
quartet, composed Of Mr..
Marx. Mr.. Love, Mr.. Ide1er and Mr..
accompanied by Mrs. Ideler,
played. Their rendttions we're unsur.
passed and to hear them play carried
one back to the far.away city where
all theatricals start.
The performance will be repeated
tonight at $50 O'Clock.
The producing staff for the play is
Mrs. Burnham, director; Miss Alex
ander, assistant director; Mrs. Cox,
treasurer; Mr.. Blanding, stage man.
ager; MIR. Thomas, assistant stage
Miss Dorothy Hogs,
Drompter; Mr. Burnham. costume and
Miss Stella Hoogs, proper