·454
THE A.D.C. AT THE THEATRE ROYAL,
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
Was
[December 19, 1903.
'I he
|showed itself more justly appreciative as the | the second part Messrs Grimble and Ward performers warmed up, and it was amid hearty shinged places. In these parts the orchestra applause that the last words were spoken. The played with an exquisite finish, showing their chief honours of the performance rested with careful and painstaking training in orchestral “THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST,' Mrs. Hastings and Lieut. Davidson. Mrs. playing, throughout keeping woll with their This "trivial comedy for serious people" was Hastings Lady Bracknel a capital conductors. No. 2 was a chorus, "All mer, all the last of its hapless author's contributions to creation, and she missed very few points, things, all that has life and breath, sing to the the stage under his own name at least, for it is Lieut. Davidson Was charmingly natural | Lord "swingingly sung by the joint choirs, who said that he had a hand in another play which in the part of Algy; a better rapreson certa.nly showed in this. the opening chorus, attained marked success in London after tative could not be found out here, it is certain. what they are capable of, and what powerful wards. In ways The Importance of Being Lieut. Smith was good as John Worthing, par- songsters a possess in Hongkong. Earnest is the cleverest of Wilde's comedies, ticularly as the play grow older. Capt. soprano solo of Mrs Hagan, with somi. but it differs from its three predecessors in be- Bushe's Canon Chasuble was A very chorus, Praise thou the Lord. my spirit," ing on the borderland of farce, and indeed over- fair impersonation; he might have been per- was tastefully rendered, while the reoitative, stopping the boundary at times, particularly in haps a little more impressive. Mrs Pemberton (tenor) of Mr H. Edwards, "Sing ye praise,” the second act. But in its dialogue it has all and Mrs. Talloch both spared their voices too was a very splendid rendering of a difficult part, the brilliance and pungency of the others, all much, bat in other respects they made a very aud was quits one of the best of the many good that wit which inspired its author to call him- favourable impression ou the audience. A trifle things of the evening. Mr. Edwards's self in happy moment the only English more clearness of elocution w ald work wonders. voice is too well known in Hongkong to need comedy-writer since Sheridan--" and both were As Mrs. Tulloch has been prostrated with fover, any further comment here, though never, Irishmen There is in The Importance of Be. we understand, it was an excellent reappearance perhaps, was he hard to greater advantage ing Earnest a lighter and gayer touch than in every way that she made. Mrs. Fitzwilliams then in the grand air, "He counteth all your in Ludy Windermere's Fan, d Woman of No as Miss Prism was just what the part required sorrows."
." "All ye that cried unto the Lord” was Importance, or An Ideal Husband, and there is and never failed to amuse, but she too might be then rendered by the full choir with absent the element of tragedy verging on a little more outspoken. The small parts of orchestral accompaniment, whon Mosdames melodrama which marks them. The epigram Lane and Merriman were capably undertaken by | Hagon and Craddook followed, in the duet is not so bitter, the sarcasm gentler. To Messrs. Hancock and Brent.
(soprano) "I waited for the Lord," which borrow an expression from W. 8. Gilbert's The full cast was as follows
was a choice and pleasing item, though they Utopia, this play "teems with quiet fun." The John Worthing, J_P.. Jieu. Smith, R.A. were somewhat uncertain in their higher notes. charming humour of the Bunbury idea-the Algernon Moncrieff Lieut. J. Davidson, R.A. The air and recitative (tenor) next rendered invention by Algy Moncrieff of "an invaluable Rev. Canon Chasuble, D. Capt. Bushe, R.A. by Mr. G. P. Lammert were quite the best permanent invalid called Buubary" in order that Merriman
Mr. Brent thing of the evening. Perfect in voice and he may go down into the country whenover Lane
Mr. H. Hancock expression, his rendering left nothing to be he chooses, though Algy's aunt, Lady Bracknel,
Mrs. Hastings desired, and was a finished piece of vocalisation. can only consider Baubary's "shillyshallying
Mrs. Pemberton Mrs. Hagen, who fo lowed, in the solo “The with the question" whether he is going to live
night is departing" (with' chorus) was again or die absurd—is a triumph, and its parallel in
very fine and expressive, and rendered this Jack's invention of a younger brother Ernest,
item very pleasingly, the chorus supporting her who "lives at the Albany and gets into the
well. The next part wis that very beautiful most dreadful scrapes," and who incidentally
choral, “Let all men praise the Lord," and any furnishes Jack with an excuse for running Selection
where else than in the sacred precincts of the up to town when he wants, is another. Selection "Down South ".
Cathedral would undoubtedly have commanded The whimsical idea of two young ladies
an encore, which may also be said of the soprano who can only love a man of the and musical name of Ernest (whence the romantic
and tenor duet of Miss Murray Bain and Mr. play's panning title) is delightfully worked out, and the differences and similarities of the two girls used to the fullest advantage. Then there is the inimitable Lady Bracknel, whose every word is instinct with that which produces smiles. It is impossible to quote her, for the wit of her remarks depends on their absolutely suitable incongruity, which robbed of their
environment lose most of their force. All the
Lady Bracknel..
Hon. Gwendoline Fairfax
Cecily Cardew
Miss I'rism
D.
Mrs. Tulloch
Mrs. Fitzwilliams The band of H.,M.S. Amphitrite formed the orchestra and played the following programme, ander the direction of Bandmaster Head March
Honeymoon"
•
$2
"Med 1 and Maid"
Rosey Jones Myddleton
The stage management was once more in the taking efforts were visible in the success obtain- able bands of Mr. E. W. Mitchell, whose pains- ed. Mr. H. C. Nicolle as acting manager was responsible for the excellent arrangements in front of the house. The new scenery by the staff of the A.D.C. was more than creditable; in the second and third acts especially it was all that could be desired.
The Importance of Being Earnest was re- peated on the 12th, when H., and Mrs. May were present, and on Monday, the closing witnessed both these performances, and the acting was considerably more spirited in con-
sequence.
Packed houses
HONGKONG CHORAL
FESTIVAL.
|
G. H. Edwards.
The chorus, "Ye nations, offer to the Lord glory," was a grand, even glorious piece of orchestration, and once again displayed the talent and power, vocal and instrumental, of our local amateurs. This closed the Cantata, and was followed by the singing, by all present, of Hymn No. 165, "O God, our help in ages past," during which a collection was made, in aid of the Choir Fund, and which amounted to $382.32. A prayer, and the Benedio. tion followed, when Mr. G. Grimble finally closed the Festival by a grand rendering of the organ voluntary "Allegro to Organ Sonata No. 6" (Mendelssohn),
Misses.
The following formed the Chorus: Soprano : Mesdames Craddock, Hagen, Johnston, Lam- mert, Kow, Quinn, Seth, Wagner, Woodcook. Misses Murray Bain, Hance, Loureiro, Seth, Shaw, Weatherston, Masters W. Hagan, R. Presley, F. Tyler, B. Tyler, A. Godfree, A. Martin, H. Fielding, Harvey. Altis: Lady Meigh Goodman, Mesdames Dickson, Drayson, Gordon, Grimble, Piercy, Goodman, lunes, Leykum. Tenors: Messrs. Danenberg, Dow, G. H. Edwards, P. W. Gold. ring, G. P. Lammert, C. H. Lammert, H. A. Lammert, Parker, F, 8. Rayner, Ruble, Thurlow, Wagner, Basses: Messrs W. Armstrong, C. H. Beavis, F. H. Ball, Brand, Crofton, Craddock, Grigson, Hays, Hastings, Haughwout: Jenkins, L. Lammert, Symington. Soloists Miss Murray Bain, Mrs. Craddock, Mrs. Hagen, Mr. G. H. Edwards and Mr. G. P. Lammert. Conductors and Organists, Mr. George Grimble, and Mr. A. G. Ward. Com- mittee: Rev. F. T. Johnson, M.A., Mrs. Soth, Mrs. Hagen, Mr. W. Armstrong, Mr. W. J. Terrill, Mr. A. G. Ward, and Mr. F. Hayley Bell, Hon. Secretary, and the following ladies and gentlemen composed the Orchestra: Violins:-Mrs. Ough, Miss Drew, Miss G. Bunny. Messrs. Xavier, Lopes Sydney, Schmidt. Barlow, Dominich, Rozario, Book, Catchiok, Alves, and Sergeant Jenkins, R.E.
characters, however, are tellingly drawn, down night of the present season. to the valet Lane, who, when his master tells him he is a "perfect pessimist," respectfully remarks, as he leaves the room, "I do my best to give satisfaction, sir." The Importance of Being Earnest is one of those few plays which with equal enjoyment may be read and re-rend or seen and re-seen. All its author's plays have this quality, and this fact, to our mind, makes his position among British playwrights secure. The third annual Choral Festival was held The cast which presented to Hongkong on the at 8. John's Cathedral од the 15th 11th inst. for the first time in amateur circles this inst. at 5 o'clock, the beautiful Hymn of masterpiece of wit, was for the most part new to 'raise, by Mendelssohn-Bartholdy being the theatre-goers here, Mrs. Hastings has been seen selection for this occasion; a somewhat ambitions before-in Our Flat-and so have Mrs. Pem- essay, but its choice was more than justified by berton and Captains Bushe and Davidson in the excellent manner in which it was carried small parts. But, as far as we know, the other through, the performers being quite at home in actors and actresses are new to the local stage their parts, whether instrumental or vocal. A little extra curiosity has consequently been Last year a varied programme was selected for felt, since the cast was first announced, as to the festival, and that, apparently, was not a how the newcomers would shape and how the popular idea with the public of Hongkong, as whole combination would succeed in interpreting the Cathedral WAS not nearly fall, the a plece exacting perhaps more than the usual collection amounting to bat little more than amount of intelligence, if at the same time a third of that of the previous year, when abounding in what in the beautiful stage slang The Holy City was rendered. The attendance is called "fat." It is not of course possible to this year was also markedly greater, there being oriticise a first night's performance as if on its over 80:) present, and the chorus and orchestra true merits. But it may be said at once that the were of the strongest, consisting for the most whole company last night made a very pleasing part of members of the choir of 8. John's impression and inspired the expectation that, Cathedral assisted by several well-known with a little more confidence, they would be amateurs. able to give a more than oreditable rendering of the play.
The house, owing to the fact of the opening night being a Friday, was not as good
might be desired, and the appearance of a fow empty seats The service opened with an organ voluntary Violas:-Dr. Swan, Mesars. Gonzales, and in the stalls is apt to have a somewhat played with consummate skill by Mr. A. G. P. A. Rosario, Jun. 'Cellos :-—Messia, Miller depressing effect, Then there were unfortu Ward, who selected "Prelude and Fugue in G." and Koentg; Double Bass:-Mr. Sequeira. nately, during the first sot at least, some rather for the opening movement. A short servies of Flutes :-Messrs. Chopard, Omund and "Bilas. talkative gentlemen in the pit, who at one time prayer then followed, and then commenced the Oboe:-Mr. Anderson; Olacionets:-Mesars. seemed to have very little consideration for grand Symphony Cantata. The first part was Murray and Tuxford; Bass Clarionet ----Mrs. those on the stage. With the raising of the executed by the entire orchestra, under the very Assumpção; Cornets :----Mr. Godwin, and curtain for the second act, things went muchable conductorship of Mr. G. Grimble, with Bandsmen, 8 F.; Horas:-Mr. Spratt and better, and so continued to the end. The audience" Mr. A. G. Ward presiding at the organ; and in ' Bandsmen, 8.F.; Trombone:-Sergeant Powell
The Cathedral chancel had been transformed into a temporary concert-platform, while the nave and aisles were lined with extra chairs, the ohurch being filled to its utmost capacity.