The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-17
fHRr'S ~.m, !! |
he [Esss = !
! WAY | Is s{
FEE IMfHM IMfM7 ~
'Rho OF ~NS5aH < 5Re&0l
IT. !



''The Bird of Paradise" and it's impos
ing characters passed thru the portals OF
the Grand last night, and encamped therein
for the brief evening, to be gone again
on the morrow, to return again sotne-
time, always welcome, and always as
sured of a full house, as was last eve
ming.
Quite the most congenial accomplishment
of the evening was Miss Spring Byington.
What. refreshing bit of femininity is
a pretty face, a form decidedly fluctuat-
ing. A manner of exceptional breeding.
Her voice has the accurate and intelligent
analysis of pure English, every word is
q cleaning gem, every vowel and con-
sonant is a shining facet. She is quite
the most fetching little person l have run
across in my long travels over the theatri-
cal world. She seems more silhouette
than a substance.
Now let's take up the rest of the play.
Eight times 1.-The Bird of Paradise" has
made the long trail over these United
States and l doubt if there were many
at the Grand last evening who had never
seen it before 1t is true to Hawaitan
tradition. 1t is true of its people. Mr..
TulIy knew Hawaiians when he went into
this bit of their history. And Mr.. Morosco
has given it such a befitting scenic in
YeStment. The whole is a revelation. All
the characters, with very few exceptions, are
carefully detailed. Every line spoken in
Hawaiian is the perfect punctuation of this
romantic and musical language. The well
known volcano scene at the finish is re-
markahle and inspiring. 1t is a play well
worth while and 1 can readily see why it
lives, and, know why, it will live for sew
eral years to come.
The cast is a long one, but I shall only
take the principal ones in review.
Miss Florence Rockwell was well mean
ing ''Luana." Her dramatic moments were
nicely put together, but her conception of
comedy borders too much on the burlesQue.
Miss Rockwell tries hard for a frivolous
conception in spots, her part. but she
narrows them down to too fine point and
creates an impression of travesty. Not a
good idea when she can act, as demon
strated in the last act.
Mr.. Robert Rrister, as the lover, was all
the part called for, yet he is inclined to
over act in the second and last acts.
Mr.. Brandon Evans, Ten Thousand
Dollar" Dean, was extraordinary in his
work. His complete change from the dirty,
lowly beach comber, to the well hammered,
high bred young college man was done to
a nicety. Mr.. Evans is not bad looking =
Mr.. John Summers, as Hewahewa. the
old priest, was disfigured by a disturbing
makeup, which caused his face to look
eczematous and his hoary wig resembled
almost anything but hair. Outside of that
he did well, with what he had, to do well
with.
Mr.. Leo Curley, as Captain Hatch. proved
himself able to take care of his part in
nice shape. He was the burly, overbea rip e
dictator to the entire satisfaction of all
concerned
The balance of that cast performed in
manner likable and Mr.. Morosco will
have nothing to fear of this band of
players. falling to draw in the money for
him. 1t was good entertainment 1t
packed the Grand to the roof. 1 might
but 1 shall not. III say-It's like cat.
you can't keep good man down. And
1 guess that will be about all.
N s.. A.