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"THE SILVER KING,'
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PERFORMANCE BY THE KOWLOON
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DOCK A.D.C.
up
the
After several months of diligent application the Kowloon Dock Amateur Dramatic Club produced The Silver King on Saturday night to a large audience and met with a success which was a triumphant vindication of their enterprise, or ambition as it has been termed, in attempting a work of such magnitude. Most of our local amateurs have confined themselves to comedy and other comparatively light studies, and it required no little courage to take more strenuous role demanded by legitimate drama. ritics there were who, declared that the effort was doomed to failure, and as the piece is so well known it was presumed that the comparisons which wer bound to be made would not redound to the credit of the ambitious amateurs. Doubtless the reasoning was not altogether illogical, but that it does not apply to the production under notice will be admitted by unprejudiced spectators. Saturday night's performance was very credit- able indeed, and nothing but what is com- plimentary can be said of a most laudable effort to add to the all too meagre entertainment of the colony.
Before proceeding to any referene to the performance it may be interesting to note C ditions under which the play was produced. The Kowloon Dock A.D. is of very rent origin -last year saw its inauguration `and like other organisations it knows something of the struggle for existence. It is limited to its environment, and the fact that the Dock staff alone supply the talent. for such a combination is in itself worthy of comment. Hence it follows that the work of the Kowloon Thespians should be adjudged by a different standard than that of amateurs more favourably circumstanced. tunately the K.D.A.D.Č. do not need to avail themselves of this privilege. Rob Roy. their first production, was a brilliant success, and
For-
"The Silver King" exceeds the expectations of even their warmest supporters: it is indeed a praiseworthy production and one on which all concerned are entitled to the heartiest con-
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
Eliah Coombe.. Cripps
[January 18, 1909.
Mr. J. O. Owen Mr. J. D. Logan Mr. J. W. Lander
Henry Corkett (Clerk to Geoffry Ware)
Mr. W. J. Wilson Sam. Baxter......(A Detective).. Mr. D. Keith Geoffry Ware... (An Engineer......Mr. 8. Gray Parkyn (Parish Clerk at Paddiesden)
Binks. Brownson. Bilcher
Mr. Tubbs (Landlord of the "
(A Porter)
Mr. G. White Mr. G. Beck Mr. W. Brown Mr. J. Lander Wheatsheaf") Mr. Goorge Beck Mr. George White Mr. W. Brown Mr. D. Brown Mr. Sam Gray Mr. R. Stubbs Mrs. R. H. Baxter
Gaffer Pottle. Leaker Teddy Inspector.. News Boy. Mrs. Denver Nellie) Oliver Skinner (Spider's Wife) Mrs. G. White Tabitha Durden.
Attendants..
Mrs. J. Puncheon. Miss Ethel Parker Miss Annie Logan
Clelland and Colin Logan Messrs. Witchell, Ross and Clements School Children-Henry Stewart, C. Stewart, P. White, D. Parves, L. Purves, W. Robson, A Duncan, G. Duncan, T. Taylor, W. Taylor. and Dorothy Ford, Ena Taylor, Connie Hansen. The performance was repeated on Monday.
NEW YEAR ROBBERIES.
the Police, Chinese thieves continue to have a Notwithstanding the increased vigilance of
fair amount of success. At this time of the the need of ready cash to settle accounts before year the native burglar is specially active, for the New Year, is a powerful incentive.
On the night of the 13th, or early on the morning of the 14th instant, Captain G. V. Robinson's house at No. 1, East Avenue, Kow- loon, was visited, and a gold, watch, chain and pendant valued at $250, were removed from his bedroom. Another house in the same road was also visited but not with the same success.
who on B recent visit eliminated two | Capt. Herbert Skinner (The Spider) of the acts from their performance of "The Silver King." No, they produced the whole five acts in their entirety and though the task was by no means inconsiderable the result amply justified the course adopted. The performance was completed without a hitch. The prompter's office was not onerous and everybody moved on and off the stage as to the manner born. The ease with which the tyros acquitted themselves was a revelation, and the display was such as to please their friends and rouse the enthusiasm of the audience. This found expression in frequent rounds of applause. It was evident too that the approbation of the spectators materially helped the amateurs who settled to their work and gave a production which vanished all criticisms. The scenery was shifted in re- markably quick time and the way in which it was handled earned the encomiums of the audience who could not fail to appreciate the excellent workmanship which contributed to this result. In coming to speak of the work of the artistes themselves, the first point calling Susy for comment is that, with one or two Mrs. Gammage.. minor exceptions, the parts were admirably | Cissy and Ned...(Denver's Children)...Edith filled. Na better interpretation of the difficult role of the Silver King" could have been wished for thau that supplied by Mr. R. H. Baxter. He looked the tragedien and he invested the pathetic and tragic events in which he participated with a refreshing realism. Not only hat, but he showed a capacity for the lighter element when he assumed the disguise of "deaf Dicky." In a word his performance was clever and effective. He was fortunate in being as- sociated with a lady of such conspicuous his trionic ability as Mrs. Baxter. She assumed the part of Nollie, the wife of Wilfred Denver. and it is no idle compliment to say that her performance was perhaps the most finished on the stage. It was in the highest degree artistic. Whether in the pathetic or the thrilling and dramatic she was always convincing, and she worked up to a climax with startling realism. She was decidedly powerful in the scene where her daughter rushes to her with a purse of money which she throws at Coombe when he comes to eject her from the house, and the floral compliments paid to her then were undoubtedly deserved. Mr. J. C. Owen looked and acted the part of the Spider, the daring, dignified and clever cracksman, and as he pursued his evil machina- tions he was rewarded with an occasional hiss. Eliahcombe, a representation calling for no little study and giving plenty of scope for per- sonality, was well filled by Mr. J. D Logan. whose performance contributed in no small degree to the success of the production. There was no "staginess" about Mr J. W, Lander's ripps. He spoke his lines freely
Another burglary, of a most remarkable and easily and his gesture and action were description, is reported as having occurred at supplementary and appropriate. He deserves Messrs. Sayce and Company's tobacconist and Congratulations. No less praiseworthy was variety store, 14, Beaconsfield Arcade on Thurs- Mr. W. J. Wilson's work as Henry Corkett. day night or early yesterday morning. Four the youth who was led astray by Eliah Coombe attempts have been made to gain admittance to He had a keen perception of the humorous and this shop during the past two years, the third he made his part one of the most attractive in being on the 31st December when the robbers the cast. Mr. G. White was admirably suited in tried to cut through the thick panelling of the. the double role of the Parish Clerk and Gaffer front door, but without success. A different Pottle, representing both cleverly and skilfully. I plan of procedure was adopted on the last oc- No little work fell upon Mr. J. Menzies, casion, however, and one which displays the as Daniel Jaikes, but he showed himself daring of the Chinese thief. At the rear of the equal to all demands and gave a rendering shop in question is a stone wall about forty feet which was one of the most successful in high, and according to the manager of Messrs. the production. Mr. D. Keith was well chosen Sayce and Co. the robbers must have let them- to act as Sam Baxter, the detective, and earned selves down this wall with a rope. Once a mead of praise for his intelligent rendering! below their task was simple. It was of the part. Mr. S. Gray was effective as just a matter of breaking Geoffrey Ware and as the railway inspector, and glass
a pane of in the door and drawing the Mr. G. Beck did well as Binks and as Mr. Tabbs, latch. Then the whole of the goods in the shop while Mr. W. Brown filled three rôles success-
were before them, and they do not appear to fully. Mrs. G. White undertook the representa- have been at all troubled because the Volunteer tion of the Spider's wife, Miss Ethel Parker was dance was going on in the ity Hall at the time decidedly clever as Susy, while Mrs. Puncheon Apparently they made a systematic search of earned golden opinions for her very skilful per- the premises, for boxes of every description were formance as Tabitha Durden. In the scene where opened, although in many instances their con- her overtures to Daniel are rejected she acted tents were not removed. Among the spoils they admirably. Any notice of the work of the carried off were 15 dozen briar pipes, two dozen performers would be incomplete without a cigarette cases, seven hair clippers, 40 or 50 reference to the clever work of Edith Clelland tabacco pouches and a quantity of cosmetique, as Cissy. This childish part could hardly have the total value being estimated at $200. In addi- had a better exponent and the bouquet which she tion to the articles mentioned the rogues depart received was an appropriate tribute to her ed with the new year dress of one of the Chinese genius. new
barbers, and apparently they anointed them- selves with stent, for a few bottles were found opened and partially used. The matter has been reported to the Police.
gratulations. When it is remembered that there were not sufficient artistés to fill the heavy cost and that several had to appear in more than oue rôle, and when it is further remembered that probably not more than half a dozen of those who participated were ever on the stage before, the dertaking appears gigantic and the success achieved seems little less than marvellous. Truly, these amateurs
have made the most of their material.
Naturally Mr. R. H. Baxter, who was charged with the duties of stage manager. was largely responsible for the satisfactory conclusion to a period of arduous study and inuch hard work. but this, of course, could not have been attained without the loyal support of all interested, Mrs. Baxter was a useful coadjutor and sat an example which was, to say the least, inspiring, while her tactfulness smoothed over many difficulties, The excellent and artistic mounting of the play was primarily due to Mr.
D. Keith and Mr. G. Duncan. The former. ably assisted by Mr. W. Brown, spared no effort in the large amount of carpenter work that was necessary to such a finished production and the latter gave freely of his time, genius and labour in painting the many beautiful scenes that contributed to the effectiveness
of the whole. Mr. S. Lightfoot looked after the lighting. and Mr. J. Puncheon was charged with the duties of property man, while Mr. J. C. Owen acted as hon, secretary and treasurer.
After the curtain rose on Saturday night the audience were not left long in doubt as to the quality of the artistes. Indeed it is safe to say that most of the auditors were agreeably sur- prised. Few expected the admirable rendering that was given to this standard melodrama and certainly few anticipated such finished perfor- mances from the people on the stage. No higher testimonial could be paid to the work of the amateurs than the rapt attention with which the performance was followed. It attracted all the interest and absorption of a play. Thoroughness was apparently the motto of the Kowloon Dock A.D.U. for they were
Mr. R. H. Baxter content to follow the lead of the professionals Daniel Jaikes (Denver's Servant) Mr. J. Menzies
not
The caste was as under: Wilfred Denver..
Early on Tursday afternoon the second floor of 108, Shaukiwan, was visited by three natives. Only the cook was at home when the callers presented themselves. One of them inquired about a person he said he expected to find there. While the cook was explaining he was blinded with pepper, and before he could raise an alarm was securely bound and gagged. The robbers then departed with clothing and money to the value of $89.