244
ROB ROY."
PRODUCTION OF SCOTTISH PLAY AT KOWLOON
A new factor in the entertainment of the Colony has made its appearance. Another dramatic combination has been created, this time at Kowloon in the midst of that hive of human industry and that soene of great undertakings, the Docks, and it is safe to say that the new organisation, despite its unpropitious environ. ment, is likely to be a healthy one. Whether its existence be long or short, there can be no doubt that the new arrival is very welcome. This was evident on Saturday night when the Kow- loon Dock Amateur Dramatic Company made its first public effort with a performance of "Rob Roy" which was succesfull beyond the most sanguine expectations of its promoters.
Before speaking of the performanos itself it might be a8 well to give some idea of the conditions under which it took place. When the company was formed it was found that with the exception of some three or four, none of its members had ever set foot on at ge, much less attempted any part in theatricals, yet this very amateurish combina. tion has by constant training and study evolved to a very creditable degree of efficiency in the work it has undertaken. Certainly the production of "Rob Roy" on Saturday night was one of which no amateurs need be ashamed
and when the conditions are considered and the difficulties under which the company have had to labour are remembered it must be deemed highly praiseworthy. As one who was respon sible to a large extent for the company's success Mr. R. H. Baxter deserves mention. He filled
necessary,
the trying position of stage manager admirably and his experience proval of no little value to the budding Thespians. Another hard worker was Mr. D. Keith, who charged himself with the large amount of carpenter work that was and of course the company owed not a little of their success to the very fine scenic eff -ots produced by Mr. G. Duncan. The scenes were real works of art and gave the proper picturesque setting to the historic drama. Mre Baxter also is entitled to a mead of praise. I the diffoult task of training the younger members she did not spare her- self and it is no idle ompliment to say that ber inspiration was a great factor in the happy ending to two or three months' hard work.
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When the large audience which attended on Saturday night entered the Reading Room they were confronted with a handsome painting on the drop curtain. This, another of Mr.
Duncan's excellent contributions, was presentation of the Docks as they are seen from the harbour. Punctually the curtain was rung up, disclosing a very pretty village green. T'he hearty plaudits of the auditors encouraged the performers who gradually settled down to their work. Two changes and then the scene was Glasgow Green. Soon the protagonists ap peared, and when it was seen that they had an intelligent conception of their parts it wAS realised that nothing but success could follow. True, the point of much of the dialogne was lost to those unfamiliar with the Doric, but the gesture and demeanour of the actors helped to overcome that difficulty. Th, sase and composure of the principals made succesB- ful the opening scenes in which there is not much movement and as the play proceeded and the dramatic situations were skil uly developed the enthusiasm of the auditors became unbounded. Everybody felt the "grip" of the play. The auld Scots tongue Was music to the ear of many of Scotia's sons and daughters, the reels and the dances made them feel light of foot, the sight of the tartau warmed their hearts, and the songs stirred the slumbering feelings of love for the dear old homeland, while the fiery specobes of the valiant Rob Roy roused the patriotic ardour of Highlander and Lowlander alike. Even the unfortunate Fassnache felt the glamour of the free life of the olan that was'
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name-
lees by day," and must have felt a greater sneaking regard for the wild Hielander than for the douce Lowlander with his thrifty ways and money making habits. The play was well mounted and splendidly performed, and afforded an entertainment to describe which
only encomiums could be employed.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
WAS
The central figure was of course the bold! Rob Roy. This part was well taken by Mr. J. D. Logan, Stout, and thick set he looked the typical chief of the landless Macgregors, vigorous, dashing and daring, despising weavers and spinners, but a man of his word. An im personation calling for no little skill was that of Bailie Nicol Jarvie. In this role Mr. J. Menzies was perfectly at home. In make up and phrase.
He ology his exposition was excellent. particularly effective the famous ina
the worthy bailie seiz's red hot poker to defend himself against the inhospitable Highlanders, and he Was vary real in the encounter with
the terrible Helen Macgregor. Altogether A batter Bailie Nicol Jarvis could hardly have been wished for. Mr. R. H. Baxter took the heroic part of Francis Osbaldistone, and in his pioturesque garb m de a brave show.
soane
where
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He had
a fine set off in Mr. W. J. Crawford as Rashleigh Osbaldistone, who personified the impetuous and revengeful cousin very cleverly indeed. An excellent. Dougal Cratur was suppli- ed by Mr. H. S. Wyone, who was whimsical, comical, pathetic and tearful as demanded. The funny element comes from this faithful henchman and Mr. Wynne was by no mens disappointing. Another clever performance was given by Mr. J. G. Garraway as Andrew Fairservice, but the lack of appropriate costume somewhat detracted from his work. Mr. D. Keith looked a braw Hielandman and acquitted
Associated
himself well as the MatStuart and had an ad- mirable companion in the person of Mr. J. D. Morrison
as Captain Thornton. with them was Mr. G White who proved himself a dignified realistic Major Thornton, while Mesara. F. Simonds, H. Blackledge, and J. Ramsay were very successful in their respective parts of Sir Frederick Vernon, Mr. Owen, and Saunders Wylie. Mrs Baxter appeared as Helen Macgregor and gave an excellent inter- pretation of the Highland amazon.
Her lines were admirably spoken. her gestures were skilful and supplementary, and her acting was very powerful. Particularly was this true of the scene where she greets the intruding Low landers and orders them to be put to death, and again when she spurns her two sons because they escaped when their father was captured by the soldiery. She was tense, passionate and revengeful, filled with love for the country in which she lived and smarting under a sense of the wrongs which the Macgregors bad suffered. In a word she was an ideal Helen Macgregor. The greatest praise is due to this lady who at the last moment also took the part of Diana Vernon in the place of Mrs White, who un- fortunately was not well enough to be present. Mrs. Baxter's Diana Vernon was as finished a production as her own original part of Helen Macgregor, and few in the audience were aware that Diana Varnon and Helen Macgregor were one. Mrs. Baxter's reading of the somewhat mystical and fatalistic character of the heroine was most sympathetic, and the woes of the decadent house of Vernon became very real in her hands. The minor parta were well taken, there being a number of Highlanders, Lennox troopers and English soldiers on the stage at times, making a very fine picture.
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The drama itself was interspersed with a number of solos and choruses. Mrs. Barter sang "Wi'a hundred pipers an' a" and "Some body" exceedingly well and Mr. Baxter received great applause for his rendering of Burn's song
Of a'the airts the wind can blaw.“
Mrs
CASTE.
[October 14, 1907.
Rob Roy Macgregor Campbell... Mr. J. Logan. .Mr. J. Mensica. Bailie Nicol Jarvie
.Mr. W. J. Crawford, Rashleigh Osbaldistone Francis Oab ildistone
‚Mr. R. H. Baxter. Mr. F. Simmonds. .Mr. J. D. Morrison. Mr. H. 8. Wynne.
་
Sir Frederick Vernon. Captain Thornton Dougal Cratur Mr. Owen...... Major Galbraith Mac. Stuart Faunders Wylie.... Andrew Fairservice
Mr. H. Blackledge.
Mr. G. White.
Mr. D. Keith. Mr. J. Ramsay.
.Mr. J. G, Garraway. Mr. J. Pancheon, (Master T. Logan.
Sons of Roh Roy
**
Sergesat Hamish Robert Diana Vernon Mattie Martha Jesu McAlpine Helen Macgregor
A
A. Logan,
Mrs. G. White.
Mrs. Duncan.
Mias E. Parker. Mrs. Garraway,
Mrs. Baxter.
Highlanders, Travellers, Lennox Troopers, English Soldiers, &c.
ARRIVAL OF LORD LI.
ENTERTAINED AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
Lord Li, the new Chinese Ambassador to Great Britain, arrived here by the German masil loontsa conveyed him from the steamer to on Oct. 9th. The Customs launch Kowo- Blake Pier, where a guard of honour from the Middlesex Regiment was drawn up. Here he was met by a number of leading Chinese and Government officials and entering a vice regal chair, was conveyed to Government House, where he was entertained at dinner by H.E. the
Among the Governor and Lady Lugard. guests introduced to his Lordship, `and who -H.E. Wa dined at Government House, were :-) Ting-fang, Chinese Minister to Washington, Hon. Mr F H. May, Mr Justice Wise, Hon. Mr E. A. Hewett, Mr F. A. Hazeland, Captain and Mrs Lyons, Mr and Mrs Browin, Mr Moreno, Mr and Mrs Pereirs, Dr. and Mrs Jordan. Dr. and Miss Sanders, Dr. Ho Kai, Hon. Mr Wei Yu, General Broadwood, Capt. Mr W. B. M. de Parr, Mr Fung Wa-shuen, Mr Lau Chu-pak, Mr. Ho Chak-sheng, Mr Swart, Mr and Mrs Volpicelli, Major and Mrs Chity, Major and Mrs Stephenson, Major Parker, Dr. and Mrs Tsit, Lieut. Comm. Ramber, Lieut. Comm. Darwall, Captain de
Mrs Pearse, Mr and Mrs Moxon, and Mr I sung Horsey, Lieut. Comm. Steavenson, Rav, and
Bonham. Commodore Stokes, Mr Blanchflower,
Pui-kai.
INTERPORT RIFLE SHOOTING.
HONGKONG'S GOOD SCORE: SINGAPORE
DEFEATED.
It can safely be said that since 1899 when the interport shooting contest was inaugurated, interest in this annual event has steadily in- creased. As far as Hongkong is concerned the eighteenth shoot, which took place at the King's Park range on October 12th, was of more than ordinary interest, by reason of the fact that a practically new team, with a good reputation, was firing for the honour of the Colony. And that they acquitted themselves well, reference to the detailed scores will prove. Singapore's score, as previously announced, was 929, 28 more than Hongkong's total last year. The Danoin gave a very scceptable solo, and Miss local representatives, however, also excelled L. Logan was deservedly applauded for her their previous performance and concluded with rendering of Whistle and I'll come tae ye, & score of 938. which places them nine points my Lad." Messrs Keith Morrison, and ahead of Singapore. Sbanghi and Peuang Menzies also
honours won additional
have yet to shoot, and although the chance of the vocalista. The choruses and laments were well | latter team is not considered extra good, the good go" rendered and the orchestral accompaniments Northerners may give Hongkong a
for the shield. The shooting on Saturday was were welcomed. A much appreciated feature was the Highland dance in which Misses L. Logan, at the 200, 300 and 600 yards ranges seven Robson, Neave, Parker, Taylor and Messrs. shots and a sighter at each range. Bright Garraway and Ramsay took part under the sunshiny weather prevailed, and the conditions direction of Mr. C. W. Alexander and t› were most favourable, the only wind being a the bagpiping of Mr. B. G MacEwan. The slight rear one. There was one possible for the chrous was composed of Mesdames Ramsay, day, made by Lapsley at the 500 yards range. Puncheon, Turner and Smith, Misses Taylor, This rifleman also made the best individual Robson, L. Logan, L. Neave and A. Logan, and score-100, Sayer being second with 98 and Messrs Nicholls, Bolton, Lookhead, Clements, Pidgeon third with 97. As before the arrrange- Malbya, eta Mia Wynne presided at the piano.ments were in the capable hands of Lieut. The cast was as under:
M. 8. Northcote, and the umpires were Major
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