THE CHINA MAIL, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1959.
OUT OF BOREDOM AND HOMESICKNESS WAS BORN..
The Hongkong theatre
HONGKONG 1841, was rather a dull place. After the day's
work, there was little to do savo to go home and sleep. There was of course, grand entertainment at the houses of the taipons on a reciprocal basis, but even visiting one an- other gets tiresome after a time.
So it was that a welcome was assured a small theatrical party which played the Colony in 1842,
They were a poor lot. Real vagabonds in the histrionic sense who were working the Straits and performing anywhere they could find an audience. My Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen, who could recall the Theatres Royal of Drury Lane, the Haymarket, and Covent Garden, thought little pf them.
They set up stage where they cound.sually in a godown, and miley must have considered it frightfully infra dig, and ut her have theegit wistfully of carian and air and pentru night in Tourdon, the dinners, rechtend programmes, and padded ebais inbox
Inan diately behind the awdlls sat the subalterns, whe
remurk, ious ditive
when ch: 1
irenicity
les ning actors look a
170)
mad
and
the curtain
War back along Queen's Rond, as ting light was bogintari incer, hey woul! dr the last play they had rem in London before taking ship For Hongkong.
England was far away, the other
of the world. Nostalgia was deep, real, and ratralifted, The only England there could be was England here in Hongkon So from that yetiring need of home wire
way of getting into it was by a very steep fight of wooden stairs..
These stairs opnarcted with a pingle door, formed by knocking out a window and served slike a. stage dour and entrance to the auditorium.
The whole place stank of "Singapore Cargo" dutaged vier fish maws, sharkfins, and other fulsome stuff stored in the
basenunt.
int re
ATEX
There the audience gathered, end it says much for the pro- duetions, or lack of competitive enteritiament, that the "House Ful"
"right through the season,
.1 suspect there must have lut th "Smoking: Forbidden" notice. Imagine an audiencey packed in such urroundings. Evidently, fire regulations were pretty free and easy, and the discriminating Jess Ludience
thua that of today.
Nor nut It be thought that
itur b muny Institutions, the production! were merely
duphetes H the
DI
-by
JOHN LUFF
ances, constructed of bamboo for use by the beginning of the
ats, light planks lished to- theatre Benson. gether with strips of rattan.
The theatre matshed was de- The site selected was that, molished at the end of every now occupied by the Bank of season when the hot weather China, The Interior of the arrived, and wha re-erected theatre belied its unpreporscia- every new scazon. ing exterior. It was well de- signed, spielous and comfort- able. Thoʻplans were drawn by Mr Charles Murray, son ɔf a well-known
Royal," Edinburgh and manager.
celo,
Now comes a puzzle. Early records speak of the matshed theatre as both, "The Royal Theatre.' ond the "Theatre
were-
The title, "Theatre Royol," is Fire precautions were observed granted, not assumed. In other and elaborately, manifest. The werds it cannot be used within Jurisdiction without corridors and partition walls British werd decorated with bill-hooks letters patent. Governors und and exes, while hundreds of fire high Colonial offelals buckets were disbuted all over and are extremely sensitive the place.
on these points, and I cannot conceive them permitting our local drama suclelles to call their theatre, Theatre Royal,” without permission.
although by this time, interest had prece far beyond the mili- tary clrele, and come luspired the civilians were joinlog in
but
zure productions.
on the stage never appearing under their own neincs.
However with the Army in control, the audience was hund- picked, in short, the audience was limited to people of Euro- pean extraction. This annoyed The civilian rendents, or came cf. them at any rate, who
Jud found friends among their The opening performance was: "Still Waters Run Deep" Astate business colleagues.
I do not know how far the It is remarkable ne recording ruw went, or what course if the appearance of Attwell Coxon took, but Government settled as flowkestry. it in a most tactful
the In 1802, the Army and They just condemned Victoria theatre. This was at civilieu theatre linked up. From the end of 1860.
then on tickets were Issued to all who would buy them.
Ob- viçusly, only those third nation- als and Chinese with a working knowledge of the English len- £uage would want to sex the performances, to the audience did, in effect, represent the Belter classes of the Colony,
catre of their own.
manner.
the
The military eters withdrew into their own premises while those at surd interames of the civilians cast about for AGROLORES
a oriatuals at home.
mid-nineteenth century London Strange it seems to transplant commerdal theatre. No doubt ture told heavy institu- Danon Barber of Fleet tion of all that is so proper in England, yet weirdly exotic here.
☆
Strange, magier but Englan how is only a few hours away; Then any month. Se England hol to be where you made 11: Rond thu: wene English Uatricals formed,
The difficulty was how to get The Peetre started.
Street," figured somewhere, but I have definite proof-flaj a per- fize of Othello was put in.
The
ufleer who played
1 must have considered, quite correctly, that be had 'plum' serured a
part. Su Unthusiatleally did he Inter- Pre the role that in an acerss of realism, he blacked, not chly
ls face but his whale body.
Arong
After all, mean to say, a officer ant an actor Jolony: I mean, he can't go painting Jare and walk about the stave. Can he? Fun, prs, but sebut want the Colonel have to say about it?
an
123
wit
Nevertheless, it unki be of a lark. There in tath after i that even potong Queen Victorky. is fund of the theatre. And t isut us one is lely to meet
teratel
melt. propir who ent ene And it would be sure- thing to du in this internal
plave
The Colonel must have given Is consent, probably after a bit of time Spaced chit-chat with the Wae Olies, for in the year
13-4-4 The
Dramatic Amateur Corps was formed.
We do not know the names of those early productions. The first ww
ven (22 miltary premises. Certain civilians, visitors to the Oftlerrs Kirss or test nights, were invited to stay and see,
Se popular did Bese per- formances become that a theatre had to be found. The exact location cannot be traced, bat il was in Queen's Road East, ezarch,
the audience was, a of sorts, and out of admira- for 15 actor who
the
pated the "Method" school Lay a century, wrote following Boes
"For my part I deem him a
splendid jellow,
Who blacked
himself
to
play Othello:
No London, no provincial tatun
ur borough,
Can surely boast profession-
alism more thorough;
He felt the part,
and when
the beards hr trod, he
Became Othelin, heart and
soul and body!
The prince of amateurs will
stund clone,
Hongkong may
lis
take measure, but his cong Transcends the Peak, and let
it be conceded
All honest players must po
in as he did;
And unto such as choose "to
go the whole hop,"
Be offered as a tribute dus, this prologue." This then is a glimpse of the theatre that served the Celony unil 1550. And then-trouble.
The Army retained control of two-storey godown, and the only the Amateur Dramatic Corps,
I was the
upper floor of a
Vay Fine Воднас
Voy Cognac
MARTELL
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also THREE STAR VSOP and EXTRA
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The civilians erected ", most engainly edifice," a mklahed theatre, a small version of the type the Chinese travelling troups erect for their perform-
AL LL my life I have
been
terrified ridicule. All my reason fights with stinct.
of
life in-
Sometimes I have been, on the edge of catas trophe. Then, just at the last moment before col- lapsing, I have realised that I was making a fool of myself.
A further result of this unien was that more funds were avail- able, and in 1864, the mashed building which had been sonte what savaged by the typhoons, was reconstructed, and ready
"Royal Theatre," would con- vey much the come sense,
but. cast in that form it lacks the signifernce of "Theatre Royal,“ which Was bestowed after Royalty had actually patronized
a theatre.
Now the following would sup- port my argument." The City Hall was built between the years 1807-1809, and Included in its structure, the new theatre.
The theatre saw iis Art per- formance on November 3, 1009, Unfortunately I have no record to tell me what that perform ance was, but I know it was given in conjunction with the German Club Concordia.
This is the Important fast. The importance was att#sted by His
1
The now
The China Mail artist's impression of Hongkong's first theatro.
The rest Le known. Royal Highness, the Duke of members of the theatrical pro-
fession who visited this Cofeny. "Hengkung Stage Club." Edinburgh.
The "Theatre Royal," served catch up with their recordis, and the Colony well. We read of are still in the position runs of a full week, during the old A.D.C. since the twen- was parked ties, in that they have no honte which, the theatre
of their own. Some of the members of the
this The next instalment in
He was Alfred, the secend son of Queen Victoria,
Of this, there is no doubt, The title "Theatre Royal," was used from then, on without any ambiguous twist of En cecasion: al Royal Theatre."
The 1870s saw some marvel- lous performances in this new theatre.
Anything London 'could pul en. so could Hongkong, and the Amateur Dramatic Club covered itself with glory, and is even mentioned in glowing terms by
out
ہیں
Dramatic Society left Hongkong series deals with the actual to walk the bearda of the Lon- performances and the personall- don West End theatres.
iles of the Hongkong Amateur During the twenties, the Dramatic Corps, and the Hong- "Theatre Royal," Was pro- kong Amateur Dramatic Club. nounced unsuitable by the
And a' mighty interesting Amateur Dramaile Club. don't
story they make! know why, but seeing that it occurred within easy reach of Hving memory, perhaps como- one will write in and tell us.
'I have always
+
SATURDAY:
Death Of A Projudico
been
terrified of ridicule'
In 1935 I had been a big star in Hollywood for five years. I was still doing well. But I be- Heved that if I went on playing those 'romantic musical relea would become stale, absurd, then forgotten. So i leli Hollywood.
I was a star almost before the phenograph started. I am still star. To stay at the top, to live in front of those stem erities the French people, which
by MAURICE CHEVALIER
זנ1
TALKING TO JOHN CRUESEMANN
Chance
But a darknz girl like Monroe she would be enchanting. Op Jeanne WecJward. Or Debbie boy I have Reynolds.
There
France. I wanted a trade mark
again as a veteran performer It Is not easy to say what regret the less romance.
It was chance that round me em developing a new style, girl I would like to play opposite in thing I feel that is so awful in London shortly after the First When I saw myself playing if I were still playing reinantie 3 an old men running Efter World War. Already famous in for the Brst time an old men, leads, because preably were 30 things which are running way in that picture with Audrey
years younger than I am I might from him. Hepburn called "Love in the feel difloreatly.
to stimp me in the public mind, Afternoon," I suddenly thought
1 celd not think of what to do. Then one evening I saw on that If by acting these parts I could make young people
Ever since I was a anali Englishman across the street in all over the world feel they would
Buffered from an a dinner freket which he warn like to have me as a father,
inferiority complex, Other with a style only an Englishman I think though I would prefer people seoned to be so much can achieve," And on his head an uncle,
old age to act then in my
opposite soméens
cleverer then I. But
per- he wore a straw hat. I urew have dene for over 50 years, I would succeed once again. middle age-Ingrid Bergman, it to last, I have had to learn to I could come to represent the Be My Age.
she were clder, Deborah Kerr it haps I was nol such an imbecile this was met
It! Thero U der I have always
W33 Bort of amlable Frenchman the were much older.
know who And there is one wanan for known when to seize the open chance! I do not
the Englishman was. Hẹ van- chance. when I have immense · admira-
Chance ermes to everybody. ished round the comer. But I tion-Vivien Leigh. Now she too
Only these who are slow to bave worn a straw hat ever shows courage in tackling dim-
explain rince.... acknowledge chance cult, different paris,
London Express Servier. thal life is unfair.
I have sensed when, to tow everyone likes to imaglue,, wise out five minutes before
the and worldly, friendly with
everybody. Populaz.
audience stop clapping.
I
I have nover had a great voice. I have never been abic to dance terribly well. I have not been good looking. But had a bit of everything. On the stage (and now the strean) give something-humour.
cmong my own people for a long Ume as a popular singer.
My opinion
Now I am happier than I have ever been. I
And I shall be able to go t1 cm 80 and
Take
vi
"A Streetcar Named Desire"
example. Once again it proves the wisdom of trying something new.
Giving advice so rarely helps. Everybody has to learn his own until he ca ksten to way
Before I went to Hollywood or like this at the stort of the talking beyond. picture epoch way back in the And all the time I am trying ale twenties, I had been a star to be a little better than yester- reason. But if I were telling a day. Only that way can I be a youngster in our business what complete artist. And remain in to do I would stress that tele- a sense a romantic for all ages. vision is very much the No. 3
I am glad am not young in "entertaiment.
How any more. It was fun of course,
can that Email but what agonies one gors canpole
#worl with u really
wide screen? Hollywood made me a screen through! I was talking about pkture on the workers suburb. My mother lover. They found me romantic this to Alan Lerner when we TelesalƐn is all right for watch- to whom I cwe so much, was because I was not typleal. d were making "Gigi" and they ing interviews, for spring actual
Now my reason has to be obeyed.
1 cm a Parisian born in n
Films
Flemish. My father came from was for them a Northern France. In cur blood Frenchman.
caution and passion. But it
I-
new kind et made a song of it for the Alm. happenings.
So I prospered there for a is always better to be cautious. while as a romantic lead.
Wg were very poor. So I But the French hud not learned to be careful when I regarded me as a romantic. was very young. I am still,
So, back from Hollywood, I This prudence allows me to started my one-man
shows in understand 10 necesilly of Paris, London, New York. I change in my career,
changed my act. Now once
ROUND-UP
OLDEST EX-RAILWAY WORKER?
SAID to be the oldest retired rallway worker in the world es well as the oldest person in the North East of England, Mr George Standford has just celebrated lifs 103rd birthday at Hütten Rudby, near Stokesley. He worked on the railway for 53 years. His son, Tom, 20 years a station master, brought the total" family service to 105 years, and now a grandson, Róbald, continues the tradition.
"SKYSCRAPER TOWN"
A
PROPOSAL to build a "kyscraper town" on marshland bordering the river Lea, in East London, is being considered by Edmonton Council. The estate. Would house 7,420 people and would include ten glani, blocks of flats 27 storeys high. The Council has called for a report on the proposal from its treasurere and architect.
Cen
But entertaizinent
It expresses exactly what I feel. is a social pleasure. It should be
I do not know of course it enjoyed in other men feel the Esme way. Because I have been sucessful
shall
crowd.
Love
I may feel differently,
So in two years' time I plan I have only really been la to simplify my life. I
ilmes. And 1 give up some of my possessions, love, seven a lot of my
for would be ungallant - iuffet pictures Instance, and get rid of what as we say in French ( means "not done")-to let this women is not alxolutely important.
The older I get the more In my o who have resily want to travel. Two many counted. Each ene has let me kind of possessions can cramp one's life, with a different And I wont to travel light.
souvenir.
It is not my job to pronounce
Sometimes the affair has gone judgment on fellow artists. But I would certainly pick Danny nag furiously. Other was it Kaye as the best light performer has just petered out. I am only following Napoleon, who salds of his generation.
a victory," He has so many aides to him. "In love, retreat in He intelligent. He has great I have learned when to have the talent.
But he has something strength to run away. To say more
goodbye in my pwn tine and on How brave of him to play a my own terms.
"When I was a young man I part su out of keeping with his
a play called "Kismal," usual roles when he appeared in saw
which Lacien Guitry, "Me and the Colonel.”
in
Kathar, nood the of A beggar who possessed great
he has courage,
Several times I have seen Sacha's myself described in American part endgarinos as one of the three for one night
!n t great entertainers of my time. powers. He spoke a line The other two, both dead now, which I have never forgotten. le renoncernent”---- were Al Jolson- and Harry "Approda Louder.
Learn to give up. Renounce with When I told Danny Kaye, all your own will. about this, he replied:
"I pray God I make a fourth one day,
Aa for me I prefer to keep the perfect memory rather than
after
That
wns
Mid Week Selection by Friell
BOURNEMOUTH
·BALLOT FOR -
YOR AGAMIST INICOLSON
"But think how it would swell the party funds,
·Selwyn, if we put you up for ballot at half-a-crown
a go.
BRITAIN [NOST TAKE
MORE SUGAR -
*Jacques Heim puts the wolst here, Cardin puts it there, but Castro will put it all over the place!”
7