12
Between the Nativities and the Charles Dickeris cycle the English stage, ruling out pan- tomime, has been barren of real Christmas playa. Father Andrew's Nativity play, "The World," and Hope of the
Dickens' Christmas story, "The Cricket On The Hearth" may be taken as examples of the two epocha.
The Church was the cradle of drama, and the first plays wero liturgical, dealing mainly with Old Testament hlatory and the legends of the Saints, and mys- teries with gospel events only. Whether the latter were evolved from Christmna or Eastern observances is a debatable point,
late as 1680.
Saturday,
HONGKONG TELEGRAPH
CHRISTMAS
in the
ENGLISH DRAMA
Albert Smith, at the request of Dickens, for Mr and Mrs Keeley, who were then generally acknow ledged to be the greatest and best impersonators of his char- actors.
They gave delightful and well- admired performances of Caleb Plummer and Dot. So great was the success that before the end of January, 1846, versions were played at most of the Lon- don theatres.
many
of theso
mora
"A burlesque on these adapta- tions by E. L. Blanchard, en- titled "The Cricket on Our Own Hearth," was produced, at the Olymple Theatre on January 15, 1846, which the adapter himself and it is difficult to assign any hose, long stockings, a close was summed up in the "Bio admitted was a failure.
Although high-crowned hat, graphia Dramatica" as follows: dates to the earlier English ones, doublot, a The first Passion play in France, with a brooch, a long thin beard, "Reprobated in the newspapers dramatisations stuck very close. the history of Jesus Christ from a truncheon, little: ruffs, white (it) was at last hooted and laid ly to the original text,
especially Albert Smith's, there the Nativity to the Crucifixion, shoes, his scarves, and garters, aside." was given in dumb show in the tied cross, and his drum beaten
From this date until Charles was still something lacking, year 1613. The Suppression in before him."
Dickens wrote his "Christmas which Dion Boucicnult supplied the Monasteries practically dealt
Introducing himself as Gre- Carol" in 1843-first produced in his, "Dot A Fairy Tale of Home," first played at the them a death blow, though the Coventry plays were given as gory Christmas, he calls in his on the stage of the Surrey Adelphi Theatre on April 14, ten children: Misrule, Carol, Theatre on February 5, 1844- Minced-Pie, Gambol, Post and there is not a Yuletide drama 1862, with J. I. Toole as Caleb The Coventry "Nativity Play, Pair, New Year's Gift, Mum- worth recording. If Dickens Plummer and Miss Louise Kee- of the Company of Shearmen ming, Wassel, Offering and did not, as has jestingly been ley as Dot.
Toole approached the part of and Tailors," may be taken as a Baby-Cake, who dance on led in said, invent Christmas, he "un- typical mystery, "a startlingly a string by Cupid. By their doubtedly," writes Edwin Pugh, Caleb with much misgiving, as they illustrate a "did a great deal to revive the also did Joseph Jefferson in the realist treatment joined to an evolutions emotional lyricist of the simplest ballad sung by him, beginning: vogue of those humane and kind- same version played in New ly sentiments with which that York-yet both gave memorable charm," according to Ernest
season is still fondly associated." and finished performances. Rhys.
The ragged girl whom Theo- Toole again played the part dore Watts-Dunton heard say in when it was revived at the A right Christmas, as of old it was, Drury Lane, on June 9, 1870, Galety Theatre as "The Christ- "Dickens dead? Then wili mas Story" in December 1870. In 1682 was published "The Father Christmas die, too?" no pertory when he became his own He had Caleb Plummer in his re- Christmas Ordinary," by W.R., doubt expressed the feelings of which was played at a gentle- many thousands who fondly as manager, and in addition he man's house among other revels, sociated his name with that sea- appeared in versions of all Dickens' five important Christ- wherein is expressed the jovial' son. The remark inspired the mas tales-as Bob Cratchit, freedom of that festival." sonnet, "Dickens returns on Trotty Veek. Ben Britain and
"A New Dramatic Entertain- Christmas Day."
Tetterby. "A Christmas Carol" was fol- ment, called a Christmas Tale," founded on Favart's "Fee lowed by "The Chimes" (1844),
for
Particularly noticeable this are the pastoral scenes and the Adoration of the Shepherds, with their simple gifts-one his pipe, the second his hat, and the third his mitten.
In the secular drama, the first Christmas play of which we have any record is "Christmas Comes But Once a Year," in which Webster, Dekker, Hey- wood and Chettle all had a hand,
Now their Interest is above to
present,
گھر
With all the appurtenances,
To be gathered out of dances.
*
A rewritten version of "Dot: It was acted in 1602, but never Urgelle," with lyrics by David The Cricket on the Hearth" a Fairy Tale of Home, in a War- printed.
Garrick, was brought out at (1845), "The Battle of Life" ble and Three Chirps," was pro-
On Twelfth Night, old Christ- Drury Lane on December 23, (1846) and "The Haunted Man" duced at the Garrick Theatre on mas Day, 1016, Ben Jonson pre- 1773. The prologue was spoken (1848). Their production on December 1, 1903, with Arthur sented at Court his "Christmas, by John Palmer, in the charac- the stage quickly followed publi- Bourchier as Caleb Plummer, his Masque," which might be ter of Christmas, which was the cation, but "The Cricket on the and an adaptation by W. H. C. called the forerunner of the In- only seasonable thing about it. Hearth" was actually played at Nation, was played for a few troduction of many a Christmas It was not well received, being, the Lyceum Theatre on the even- weeks at Terry's Theatre in pantomime of the present day, according to Genest, but worthy ing of the morning the book was 1906. It opens with the entrance of of "the indignation of all but published, December 20, 1845: Christmas, "attired in round barren spectators," and its fate This adaptation was made by
THE FIRST
20th 1939
22nd
-A.C.G.
CHRISTMAS OF THE WAR
A Look Through the Files»
Captain Langs figure indientes, for the greater part with the Navy, Is our sure shield of Russians have made strong attacks
of the imports she normally receives defence."
on the Mannerheim Line with uni- December dort of the "Graf from overseas are not now shipped.
form fullure and heavy losses in men The King had greetings also for and material. North of Lake Ladoga Spee" was this
After being hard-
the British Expeditionary Force, the Finns have crossed the Russian morning found December pressed by the which is waiting for action.
frontier. On other fronts they have Russians on the dead at Buenos
Karelian Isthmus in-all-parts-of-the-Empire-and-in-At a south, const port warm wel-
The Royal message was heard well either advanced or held their own. Aires: he had shot himself. His
for more than & many foreign countries. friends say that he was stricken fortnight, the Finnish forces on
come was given to the first conțin~ Undismayed by gent of the Australian RAF to with grief for the sinking of his the Mannerheim Line are strong
frequent air raids reach Britain. They are a fine lot the initiative, ship. He carried out his in- enough to take
of young men, already trained and (even on Christ cager for netive service. structions from Hitler, but when and they counter-attacked to-
mas Day) the The report is issued to-day of al it was done he had no wish to day with great effect. The Rus- sians made many thrusts north
Finns are defend- remarkable address by the Pope to the College of Cardinals on Christ-
December 26th
live. Responsibility for his of Lake Ladoga, but all falled. ing their homeland with a cour- the
mils Eve. The Pontiff denounced
Since the loss of the "Graf Spee,"
the
small, and declared the right of
death lies at the door of the In the north the frost and snow age and a military skill that are agg
nations to independence. In Nazi dicatator.
are too much for the Soviet admired everywhere.
contempt for treedeem and human forces, who are retreating with
Most important is the stubborn life, said the Pope, there had been stand on the Karellan Isthmus "acts which..ery for the vengeance Gemmans have been attacking all possible speed.
where, during several weeks, the of God." defenceless fishing craft in the North It looks as if the Finns have got Sea. Already, this week 35 vessels a respite which may enable aid to have been attacked. only three of to reach them in time for effective them naval units. In one case, they use. M. Daladier sald in the French not only machine-gunued a trawler's Chamber to-day: "We have done our crew but attacked them again when duty to Finland in no', half-hearted. they were getting away in a small manner, and we shall continue to do boat, and yet again when another it." trawler was picking them up.
Air activity is now continuous in German propaganda is also sink- the North Seu. British patrols are ing to still lower depths of intainy, reported to have
bombed German
The official News Agency in, Berlin warships, Enemy attempts to pene- yesterday printed an nileged tele- trate British coastal defences have gram tom Montevideo which said all fulled.
GRIN AND BEAR IT
CAUNES DEPOSITS
By Lichty
December 21, 1940.
"Yuletide Fare"
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CHRISTMAS
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that British callors spat on the coffins
A report via New
of the dead semen of the "Graf Spec," made cat-calls during the funeral, and threw a dead dog on the graves Immediately after. These
Decomber 23rd
York saya that the entire Ger- mian fleet has left Hamburg, that
are, of course, lies. The truth is that part of it headed for the Baltic British seamen placed a wreath on and the other part for the North the graves and paid munly tribute to Sen.
the memory of brave formca.
Tho Finns
are
fighting valorous.
ty and are skilful- ly led. In the
December 24th
north the Rus- any quarter.
Docombor
21st
slan advance on Kemijarvi and the railway from Sweden has been repelled and the Russians driven back more than 20 miles.
December 25th
This WAS the quiestest Sunday for many weeks -no important "war news from
Much the most interesting event to-day was the King's broadcast to the people of
On the Karelian Isthmus persis- the Empire.. It is our love of tent Russian attacks in strong pence, ho said, that has given force have been hold. Air raids them a unity unknown in any on Finnish towns have been re- previous war. sumed; Helsinki was bombed twice to-day.
Since the war began, 870,000 tons of goods intended for Germany have been detained by the Allied Con-
"We feel in our hearts that we are Aghting against wickedness, and this conviction will give us strength from day to day to persevere until victory
finally assured."
the
Ho, spoke of the Navy- men of our Empire who go down to
traband Control Germany's loss, the tea in shipsand of the Royal however, is much greater than that Air Force "which in co-operation
11-25
"Gentlemen! Thọ bank has safely weathered another crisis!— The Autumn racing seaton is at an end and the bookd-still *balanco!"
IT'S
CHINA EMPORIUM
THE STORE WITH THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT