1959-02-21 — Page 8

Page..8

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Death

This Hongkong!

of

a

a prejudice

PREJUDICES die hard in England, and in those far-off days of a hundred years ago, actors wore regarded with dark sus... picion. Tracos were still to be found of ancient prejudice that classed actors with rogues and vagabonds; linked the theatre with prize-fighting and bull-baiting, and the rake-hells and riff- raff of the Regency period.

This unctuously rectitudinous feeling of doubt as to the respec- tability of the theatre and all that went with it lingered with curious persistence in Hongkong.

To show what I mean, read this newspaper criticism of the period concerning a local amateur actor:-"He is one of the few amateur actors that have been brought up and educated as gentlemen, How far he has avalled himself of this peculiar advantage, it is not our purpose to enquire, but certainly few men that have appeared on our local stage. have enjoyed, or indeed deserved, more applause.”

The chances were, if you worked for Government, you were not allowed to appear on the stage in amateur dramaties.

If you worked for Jardine Matheson, you had to appear on the stage under ä pseudonym; that also applied if you worked for any firm of repute.

It is therefore, hardly surprising, that for more than thirty years after the Hongkong Amateur Dramatic Club was formed, all the actors adopted stage names.

In fact, the reason Wita re- corded in an early programme. The tatpans of the big hongs objected to the names of the young gentlemen in their em ploy appearing on theatre pro- grammes!

On the other hand, there was no objection to the names of the. same young men appearing as owners of horses on race cards, Nowadays, the position is re- versed. Fow adopt a nom de theatre, but many ponies are owned by Mr Pseudonym.

Of course, un ladies ever appeared on the stage. Such SULB unheard of: it was un- maldenly, if not downright tromadest.

★

Until 1880, all female parts were played by men. It is in teresting on that account to find that the last production of the A.D.C before the demolition of the old City Hall was "Nins Til Six."

Those who have seen that play will recall that it has an all female cast!

A.D.C. possessed was the Fourth, Representation of the 1867-00 season. Enquiries lead me, to suppose this old programme lust, along with other Interesting dată tha! gave such vivid glimpses of the Colony's, social

fe.

The play glyea on this occa- alon was "My Wife's Mold," and to make sure the audience got value for their money ¿the even- ing finished with a burlesque; "Bluebeard from a New Point of Hue."

Burlesque was quite popular at the time, and Hongkong was following the current fashion.

The burlesque receives more altention than the play, for WO are told that it is "Presented with the nast reckless Ex- travagance in the Shape of Guarda, Guests, Spahls and Dervishes, including a Grand Turkish Ballet featuring Senora Maca Leoda, Senora M'Orhana, Senora Stoppfo, Senora Azelie and Senora Apartemenin,"

The Inner pages of the pro- gramme were a burlesque in themselves. They were printed We have already discussed like a newspaper pretending to the Victoria Theatre, the top be "The Hongkong Diurnal floor of a two-storey godown, Mess." somewhere along Queen's Road East, where the Army first play ed to the military and their guests, so today we take up at a point where the row about racial discrimination has blown over, and the soldiers have linked up with the citizens. The old name, the Amateur Dramatle Corps has been dropped," and the vigorous young company continues as the Amatour „Dramatic Chib

The fun was heavy, and the editor was not afraid to hit all round, even the Colonial Secre- .. tory becoming the object of its bludgeoning wit.

The President of the A.D.C. in the early sixties was a cer- tafn Colonel, un-ngmed, but It is said that he never spoiled a good story by a too rigid nd- herener to fact.

If this story im'à true, it do- serves to be, and I am quite prepared to accept it.

"We Are BOITy to fearn that the Honourable the Colonial Becretary, whllo taking a strol in the gardens yester- day evening «bônt, dusk, was suddenly struck by an Idea, finite, was at oboe 'conveyed

1

to his house, where prompt convulsed with laughter.“ measures were taken to ro-

devil it was about."

This performance seems to be the one that marked the change, for since that time, alf the feminine roles have been played by women. If the Stago Club ever do and a permanent home,

I hope they will orect

a plaque in memory of Mrs Bernard, who mada the stage respectable, for ladies' to the polite circles of Hongkong.

Later on in the can- tury, and up to 1905, we find the name of E W. Mitchell prominent In the A.D.Cs affairs.

I wish I could say more. about hit, but as he is almost within living memory in the sense of the old timers here perhaps some can tell, at second-hund, some- thing of his exploits on, behal? of the ADC..

even

pro

Mr George P. Lammert (below), the star vocalist of the Hongkong Amateur Dramatic Society, at the beginning of the century, and father

He died in 1008, and with his "of Mr H. A. Lammert (above).

death the AD,C, lost a ́fino pro- ------ducer--- speechies from other plays; and But towards the end of that We use the term now, "to when they wouldn't dat in, be year, Mr John Robertson Hleve the sufferer. We regret stop the show" when an actor would gag, and more or less ask rived in the Colony, and quickly to hear that he is at present so completely grips the audience what to do next.

took over the duties of in a state of complete menial that all they want is his part. He improvised so effectively ducer, a position he held for a prostration.",

Judging from contemporary that he "brought down the long time. nowspaper reports, it was only touse.

Under his direction, the pro- with difficulty that the sbow As the China Mall said at the ductions took on a more Clumsy, hardly polite, yet could proceed

time:— “The A.D.C. scored ass, blitous, aspect, and as I sve il, showing a sort of vigour that

His Excellency was not in the offer success last night, but we during this period the A.D.C. The Colono had got together was typical of England during theatre, probably he had thought can't help wondering what the reached a peak saldor attained a company that rose to the the nineteenth century. To

by an amateur society - heights of Grand Opera. The show the nature of their buries it better not to spoil the sport.

But Beart's was not the only leading tenor was a gunner in ques, i quote from their pro- good performance that night, for the battery quartered in the grammo the following:-- town: As the mainstay of the proposed opera, he was indis- pensable, but unfortunately, ho had a weaknes, In short, his whole life was a spirited, pro- test against the errors and wx- travagances of total abstinence. The necessity of strict attention to details, and the rigid dis- cipline of rehearsals usually kept him sober in the early stages of a prothiction, but as he became more confident in his part, he gave more attention to his neglected throat.

I have already mentioned that They produced Pinera's "Tha no lado could appear on the Hobby Horse," and the Honry

Arthur Jones Cometes.

"We have no hesitation in ang among the audience was singe, but even in hide-bound the Lieutenant Governor, Hongkong, the new woman was ⚫ stating on the authority General Donovan, with his dis- appearing,

Police Court Re- Unguished party. The General porter, that the performance sat right in the front row of the tonight will be little more Circle.

Jur own

-

We find that in the dist de cade of this century, just before moving pleturos emerged as "a dour competitor, tho ADC.

And at lost. Hongkong sur carried all before them. than a succcarion of the most He sat stolidly right through rendered. Mrs Philp Bernard Judging by the publicity obnoxious personal attacks the whole performance, show- stepped onto the stage of the afforded the respective shows, on everyone of high reputa- Ing supreme self-command, for Theatre Royal In December, the greatest performance of them tion in the Colony.”

not a muscle of his face twitch- 1879. She was the first woman all was Lionel, Mortelton's "A A certain Mr Beart was the ed, while the audience rocked to do so.

Country GIL" There were outstanding actor of this period, with laughter,

Thero were many raised packed houses night after night, He was a low comedian and It is to Sir John Pope Hen- eyebrows that night. Hongkong and the applause was simply prominent used to play character studies nessey's credit that he took no was slightly shocked.. The play astonishing."TDO often built on some outstand offence. He invited Beart to could not have had a better names in the east were: Georga ing personality in the Colony.

luncheon at Government House le:The School for Scandal, Lammert: "Shiney White; W.G. A contemporary sritie reckon the next day, and had n lolly Mes Bernard's second appear nest tretress the ADC pres Worcester; Mrs. W. Loun (the He began to arrive half-cut, ed that Beart could have taken good laugh over the photographs, onco was - in "The Porter a Ford as often happens in the case his place on any professional of Sir Joseph Porter..

Kaot," in March, 1880, and from sented as the opinion of con- temporary theatre-goore) and of those who look deeply into Benge, wit mas murah Yather

that on the Way the Worcester, merO THE TR lady. In fact, 1 think she had the pewter pot, he saw the were a focal touch of genlus; world as the world's not,

that he brought down the house

11882, the A.D.C. produced, little competition, for although a "perfect cast of seventy happy man with his "Widow Twankey" in "The Wedding March," by W.S. temalo names appear in But this guhner was a

the soulst with a soul. It hurt him to "Aladdin," and that his "Faded Gilbert. There are thirty-three cast, a Mrs Hockey, for lustanço, think he might break faith with Flower of Shakwan" was u speaking parts in this play. The It is the stage name of Attwell

It is not difficult to imagina went megnilioently, Coxon, another dae actor of that what an event these productions his public, so what did he do rlos, an exact impersonation, of rehearsals

and quite a lot of money was period who often took féminine must have been in the Colony's but approach his Colonel, and a sampan woman. asked that might be placed Well, we often give our local put into the productipu.

roles.

social lite.. Then conrred the prodgerr's under detention during the run players a puff, especially if they

Mry Bernard left Hongkong In the early 1000's, Lieuten- of the opera.

happen to please us, but I can nightmare.

Somerset, in 1883,, and went to London in ant-Colonel Newham Davies The Colonel, and one must assure you here that the critie

playing the lead fell ill the the less conventional circles of published every interesting

stage. assume that he also was a true in question was not exaggerat-

day before, the show was to the professional

The book on amateur dramatic clubs artist, obliged the gunner, and ing. Listen to this:----

Hongkong papere

certain through the British Empire. close arrest

Amateur kept him under

There was professional troupe she was a success on the Landon This is what ke wrote about three days before the opening Dramatic Club were prosenting in Hongkong, and one of them, stage, but the mengre references

tha Hongkong Amateur Gilbert and Sullivan's H.M.S. hearing what had happened, and I carry around mention, no performence.

best Dramatic ClubThe The gunnér was marched· Pinafore,” and Beart was given' his own show having finished, Mrs Bernard in the London

organized Club" that 1. kive escort to the dress. re- the part of Sir Joseph Porter. offered to take over the part. He productions. She either-ocied

found in the uttermost · parts hearsals, and then marched Beart based his Impersonation promised no more then that he under another ́name (most

of the earth, is the Hongkong on the unpopular Governng, Bir "would see them through.” probable) or it was another of Amateur Dramatic Club?! On the last night, the gunner John Pope Hennessay. (I have For the first act, he was these Hongkong build-ups,

and In September 1888, the AD.C. tenor made his bow to a wildly-given the reason for Sir John's pretty well ward perfect,

In An

JOHN LUFF earlier.everything went all right, but singod a farewell performance

when it came to nets Evo. and for Mr Bernard. The play

under

back to prison.

enthusiastic audience.

The "Hongkong

unpopularity

To on.

are

He was formally retensed article) from arrest, carried shoulder Boart parodied the Governor three, he had not the slightest "She Stoops To Conquer." A high to the canteen, and given so well, in appearance, speech, fdon what to say, nor what the very appropriate choice. carte blancho, to all the brew and galt that in no time, the play was about.

theatre, was in an uproar,

He pulled out-overy gun he ladies: Mrs Chervau and Mra the barman could' pour out

entry had the audience pospessod.

in Fraser.. Ha.. brought The earliest programme the very

BRICK BRADFORD

STOP IT BACK! THIS POLICE ARE ON THEIR WAY HEREJ

YLLMAX HIM TELL_WHAT HAPPENED ;

TO DR. BASTU

YOU WONT MAKES

TELL ANYTHINGS

HUNT:

TELL MO

LAND

In the cast were two other

By Paul Norris

DR. BASTLAND, WAS DEAR FRIEND I TRUSTED AND HONORED

HIM. I

RUSTED YOU AS A PEAR "FRIEND. BUT YOU) HAVE HURT, ME DEEPLY!

WHAT I HURT YOU! BUT, PAM, I DID EVERY- THENG

TUESDAY: City Of The Rams

AUSTIN

THE SPORTSMAN