1925-01-13 — Page 5

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THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, JANUARY

BERNARD SHAW'S

SAINT

*JOAN."

31SSING CHINESE WILL

18TH, 1925

will eventually load to disaster. Only A MILLION DOLLAR ESTATE. Joan Berselt is still confident the others are weary or fed up with her pretensions -until foally we reach the climax of the, play in Scene VI. in the castle at Ronen where Joan is on trial for her life. One INQUIRY IN THE SUPREME COURT, cau imagine the strain at this scene on the actors by one's own; at times it seem

FIRST PERFORMANCE IN HONGKONG.ed a sacrilege even to breathe and the

(Written specially for the Hongkong Dariy Press.)

17

I am by birth a shepherd's daughtery

Appreciation of the last play written, can we begin fully to appreciate the play by, ti. B.S. will be the keynote sounded which has resulted from the inteusest by Os public during this work, and this i stanie of the period in which Jonn lived.") appreciation will be the more intrus There is one further point which must as, realisation comes of the great privi ¦be stressed, however,' and that is-Joah's legg which we in Hongkong enjoy of a social position. In Shakespear's Henry A. which has the necessary courtyr Vi. we En Joan thus, describing her- and the clear vision to dare such anself- undertaking as "Saint Joan," It would be surprising if the uninitiated could reali, intly, wen

though they may enthusiastically approve, the coil which Mr. Sinclair and all those working with him during the past strennon tonths have undergone. "At the beginning it was TVPORNSTOP! In see clearly that such a wolerfal dramatic work outil în pre-↓ sented.at ail under exaditions which are certainly far from ided test

tion.

It is extremely probable that few enthusiasts who intend to 34 Saint Joan during the coming week will b unacquainted with the story which Shaw attempts to make so real. In a Shaw

U

My wit antrained in any kind of art

in the Supreme Court yesterday, before the Chief Justice, die Henry Gellan, an fall of the curtain brought relief to a

action in the nature of an inquiry as 10 situation which had grown well-nigh in-

the possible existence of a will of the supportable. Of the Epilogue we will not speak, our readers must judge for them-te Jr. Chau Along, a wealthy trader who died eighteen years ago, was cam- selves when they see it conflicting menced. apipions are and to be held on this. and we don't propose nor is there space to enter into any arguments on the subject.

And now for the play itself as we were able to see it done last night.

The applican: was Mr. Chang Wing On. and ve persons were cited as defendants,

eluding the deceased's son,

The applicant was represented by Mr. Elton Potter, K.C., with Mr Elsley Zeitlyn, the second and fifth defendants LAST NIGHTS PERFORMANCE. being represented by ar. C. G. Alabaster,

fur the fist and third. The effect upon one of the production and My FC Jeukin appearing. was of wonder that such a piece of work

3r. Potter pointed cut that the facts could have been performed and staged of the case were that than Along died in here at all it would need many columns

the Kyangtung Province on September! to do anything like full justice to the asth, 1906. Daring his lifetime he was producer and to all those who so ably a sugar planter in Hawaii, and amassed helped him and the enthusiastic nudience

Chan "married in a about $1,000,000. showed quite unt stakably what they felt very large fortune, which could be put about it all. Outstanding was the per-18s Chinese kit of, and had two your formance of Jean Mrs. Beale. She by her, and he also took to himself a seemed to grow as the play unfolded, and Hawaiian lady, by whom he had a sou from the simple country gui ispired with named Chan Chik Yai.. a message of freedom for her dative land we saw her become a wondrous being, until in the epilogue she was too much for any of us on this earth. The inter- And few my country from calamity.pretation of such a part will always be

romarkable for any actress and we won sider that Mrs. Beale is one of the

lew

Heaven, and our. Lady gracious hath

it pleased

To shine on my contemptible estate. Lo! whilst waited on my tender

lamte. God's mother deigned to appear to

1.

"And in a vision Taft of majesty

Will'd in to leave my hus vocation

Was

the

well and

play it is often as well to read the play before seeing it and the Preface to "Saint Jout." ia extremely valuable as

we, dily visualise even the material con- historical document One's attitude to

ditions of life in the afteenth century wards the play, will mainly be deter. amined by one's historical prejudices, but How much more difficult, then, a. realisa- we should be prepared to revise radi tion of the mentality of those who so cally our whole conception of the Maid enthusiastically welcomed the Maid at as many of us learnt the story at schools, and the so callousty threw her over. To appreciate Dunois's speech We cannot help making a comparison with Florence Nightingale. I have not

God is no na's daily drudge, and nobis commanding an Army-oas feels that that splendid book Eminent Victorians"

maid's either. For he has to be fair to the Dauphin was justified in his action your enemy too: don't forget that. Well, in handing it over to the Maid! Blue by me at the moment but so far as I recollect Lytton Strachey says some. he set us on our feet through you at heard played a dificult part weed

this ff-et: Laing

The echrep Orleans; and the glory of it has carried when we were able to see

all off as he was undoubtedly meant to. tion of Florence Nightingale as the

us through a few good battles. saintly woman moving softly among the "But if we presume on it further, and. There are few ladies in the Cast but what

The oldiers with a lamp must go.

trust to Cou to do the work we should ittle they had to do was well done, and good do ourselves, we shall be defeated..the Court scene was worthy of the reality was different. A demon possessed

and one felt that The Duchess ber. Now whatever else they may be And again when he emphasizes that old days demons are interesting! And so it was "Joan never counts the cost at all: she de la Tremouille, as she is described on with Joan.

A few extracts From: the gues ahead and trusts to God: she thinks the programme, was really a very fine Preface will help us to visualise the She has God in her pocket." and pro- lady. character so ably portrayed last night by phecies that when Joan is captured ne It was impossible not to feel during Mrs Beale. She was the pioneer of finger will he lifted on the Freach side that scene between Warwick, de Stout her. To appreciate these ber, and the Bishop of Beauvais that rational dressing for women is hardly surprising that she was judici- speeches and the mentality they display there would not have been so much crack ally burnt

ssentially for what we must get to grips with the thought ling of chocolate papers among the audi we call unwomanly and insufferable pre- of the Middle Ages and separate what ence if their attention had been more sumption At eighteen Joan's preten we supposed that they ought to have been held by what was passing on the stage. sions were beyond th of the proudest thinking, from what in all probability Audiences naturally desire to eat during

the performance of a

of a play coming so soon Pope or the haughiest emperor. She they actually were thinking. Much that claimed to be the ambassador and pleni is spoken in the play would never have after a large dinner and lasting for more potentiary of God. . . . -' Even if one been spoken by real people living in the than three hours, but if the three actors does not agree with Shaw in all this France of 1430; but only by making them who did so well in all the other scenes one must realise his point of view when say what he does can Shaw give us an could have put a little more life into their seeing or reading his play. A few more adequate idea of the feelings which even actions and voices during that scene one tually resulted in the burning of the feels that the crackling would have been less pronounced. It is a difficult, scene. Maid.

het more action in it would tend to nuke

it to

In 152 the deceased was in Macso, and then went to Hawaii with his eldest so, Chan Lung, in 1890. The son the Hawaiian lady bore him was Mic, Chan Wing On. One of his sons, Chan Lung died in Honolulu towards the end of 1890,

Chan Wing On at the time of his graad- he remained until his death. father's death was in Japan studying. but he returned to attend the funeral ceremonies, after which he was informed that his grandfather bad left a 'will, and that he was to receive a share. That will was never produced, however, was suggested by the deceased uncle that the estate should be distributed. In fact

atter was that the uncles were prepar which belonged to Chan Afong. is to deal with soine property at Macao Applicant commenced legal proceedings, By and had the assignment set aside.

this way what right did the upeles act

The

actual casting of the pik mest have This. anfortunately, for the author of who could have conceived and carried at Chan Afony returned to China where "given' the producer maay, ansions poHoury, VT. (for we can't be sure it was the part just as the unther intended ments; the general apparatus of illin-all Shakespeare) hardly represents the reconciling the obvious difficulties, and preserving a balanced and understand sion comprised in the manufacture and facts; and this mistaken view. of Joanable whole. Hongkong may indeed be assembly of many complicated pieces of has given rise to an entirely false esti- proud to possess: one who has so de- scenery, and the necessary lighting mate of her character" When she was votedly studied her part so that she was able to carry her audience with her effects all these had to the carefully called a shepherd lass to her face she throughout. Among the other characters planned months ago to enable us to very warmly resented it, and challenged I would plump heartily for Dunois. His range and clarity of voice put him quite enjoy our 3 hours' play. When we can any woman to compete with her in the by himself. and this is high praise where an, interview took place, and the sym"of deceased uncle told him this was his share begin to appreciate the labour insolved household arts of the mistresses of well so much talent was displayed. To listen 40,000 was paid over to applicant The we shall approach the play and its pre-furnished houses..

siways a pure in the estate, but the will was never In short, much to him, however,

delight and in this respect Shaw is not

produced sentation with sympathy and imagine more of "young lady, and' even of an always very merciful, for he does not "A number of shares, so Chan Wing Oa intellectual, than most of the daughters scruple to give long speeches which are discovered, were divided between the two of our pets boisie." The fact that apt to become wearisome, however el-uncles. The shares were in the Douglas she couldn't write her name was nothing qut they be to read, if they are Steamship Company, and were undoubt not spoken with a voice which will ceca- even princesses were unable to do this.sionally alter its tone and pitch. Medly the property of Chan Afong. Another We shall find it difficult to understand Lucey as the Dauphin was admirabic, and "Saint Joan" bersof if we fail to realise played uis difficult part with a Hair which hrought conviction to one who was watch her cuvironment, and Shaw has gone outing his every move, and in the Epilogue of his way to try and let us see this there was sufficient change to denote the applearly, low many of us dare say that passage of time The part must have it soon became obvious to the applicant

been a great strain on the voice.

The play opened well and Mr. Leys that the uncles had no intestion of dis- closing the will of Chan "Atong. He sent proved an admirable Baudricourt and car-two letters to the acles demanding the ried off what must have been a difficult production of the will, bat received no opening without a hitch. Later I was

reply. gätis.

However, in March, 1917, Chan Wing sorry that I could never feel very fed that the person in those gorgeous or had an interview with the executor of his deceased "uncle, who told him he red robes was an Archbishop. His voice had not sufficient sympathy; and had found a document which would be a Chamberlain might places have beeg

wrap against Chan Chik Yui, his uncle. when he says-

'** But I tell you as a soldier that mistaken for the Court Jester, and as for He would not produce the document but should release all claim on the estate tried to bargain with Wing On that he of King Yui, the deceased son. document had since been produced and Was of a testamentary nature, and under" it Chan Afong's two sons were to receive ceive $40,000 each, and the residue was 150,00), and his three grandsons to re- to go to the Yat Chi Tong

Evidence was given by Chan King Yui, was the son of the Hawaiian lady, whose and Chan Chik Yui The latter stated be name was "Julia."

Mr. Zeitlya began his cross-examination and his Lordship pointed cut that he was making a searching inquiry into matters In reply to questions witness said the that were not relevant.

and China, and he made distributions to property bis father left was in Honolulu members of the family from the estate. These distributions were made over ter. years ago, but a Chinese chemist shop which he made over to his brother was the business of his brother, and himself He could not the property of bis father. It was

not remember whether he made over 200 and belonged to them only. shares in the Douglas Steamship Com She patronised her own king

There is further the question of what she lectured, talked down, and overruled

140,000 in Hongkong and Shanghai Bask statesmen and prelates. She pooh-pooh the author calls The Stage Limits of it more bearable. In all the other scenes pany to his brother. He paid Wing Oa An audience the protagonists were much more effect shares, which were his property, and paid ed the plans of generals, leading their Historical Representation."

tive: Stagumber in the Trial scene and his own sons $40,000 each, and his daugh- plans of her must bring its imagination to work here as an old man was remarkably convine. troops to, victory G1}

As her condition was pure and when they do, it will be clearly seening, while both the Bishop and Warwick ter $1,000 upstart, there were only two opinions how cleverly we are enabled in 3 bours

to watch events which took many months (who somehow did not seem quite robust about her. One was that she was mirg

enough) grow perceptibly as the in the actual performance. A bare out- culous: the other that she was unbear-

line of the six scenes will show bow from continued. Perhaps one runs the risk able. When she was thwarted by men

like majeste, but I am bound to say that whom she though, fools, she made so the mass of historical evidence Shaw has should have recognised the Inquisitor and backcloths were effectively used for But we must make one secret of her opinion of them and selected those which are most vital in the she was unive sough to expect them to determination of the crisis, and which even if his name had not been printed, different scenes. be obliged to her for setting themind themselves most readily to drama though this is net to detract from the protest and that is about the method of merit of the performances which was lighting. Surely never could a produc tie setting; this list alone will make us wholly admirable and a lesson to many tion have been so nearly ruined. There right."

all realise the immensity of the labour of the younger actors how to employ were no footlights, special platform undertaken and so successfully carried different shades of roice production having been built over the pince usually through by the producing staff Yaucon Altogether an admirable Inquisitor and occupied by lights, but there were several

Sceoe I shows the castle of

most convincing. The other characters admirable lights at the side of the stage seventy the Greek philosopher was little leurs, and introduces the squire who were all effective, but no doubt a further and several other lights off stage.

Jean off the

dress circle, and occasionally one realised the furs, roused by their ex. Dauphin. As usual one meets G.B.S.'s there is either time de usuce for here.

merry humour in the opening scene, and

I will just glance now at some rough

that one was at a pantomime so often posures of the stapidities of comparative this as it was played last night helps to

notes made during the performance, did the various lights travel onto the dullards He then discusses the ques- Lion which thous ignorant of the real start off the play on its successful run

Scend. I takes us to Chinon in though as we were in the dark all the leading figure, or onto the speaking history of the time had thought was Touraine and introduces us to the Court time it is difficult to decipher what was actor. This became a menace in the written. Tho programma that was Cathedral scene when first one character: settled long ago-Was Joan Innocent or of France; and here Joan after proving handed to one when entering was really then another was thrown into relief, Guilty and in remarkable analysis abows us that judgment went against that she knows the Dauphin and a fine production, and must have invol while the remainder of the cast were dim be deceived is invested with the command ved endless labour for all concerned. It shadows. And there could be no pro- Joan "after a very careful and con- of the Army-the scene closing dramatic- scientious trial. This judgment was ally with the leaders afire to follow The gave on information which was really tence that this was any imitation of reversed twenty-five years later because Maid to Orleans... The more one studies interesting, and one cannot wonder that reality for one could not conceive such at was necessary to prove that Charles this sccre the more one is amazed at the Hongkong has such a list of dramatic lighting. in a cathedral. We were glad successes to its credit. One feels that that the Trial scene was not ruined by had been properly crowned--but as Shaw subtle touches which tell us all we ought the name of Sinclair in this connection these methods, and with ell the defer remarks: It is the more impressive to know, reversal by a unanimous Posterity, cul- Scene III. gives us Orleans itself and will be long remembered and not least ence to the able producer we suggest that for thin his fatest masterpiece. The his lights come from one place and stay minating in her canonisation, that has

we meet Dunois who is to play such an

Drop Curtain specially designed for this there throughout the scene unless the sun quashed the original proceedings, and important part in the subsequent pro-

Here there is

play was affective and showed the height or the moon are going to rise. It would put her judges on trial, which, so far,

ceedings.

of the full proscenium, though I feel he a dreadful calamity to ruin such a has been much more unfair than their trial of her." And he adds "The mud

sure that the shields could have been production by lighting which could so

The settings easily be altered. that was thrown at her has dropped off

placed more effectively.

The dresses and the armour were most by this time so completely that there in

were wonderful, and the colour schemes BD need for any modern writer to wash up after it. What is far more difficult be studied with advantage by all students to get rid of is the mud that is being of medieval history for it presents most thrown at her judges, and the whitewash clearly to our minds the very essence of which disfigures her beyond recogni one side of medieval European thought tion. It is impossible to follow Shaw We now move on swiftly to Scene further in his preface, fascinating V. (one of the great scenic triumphs of though it would be to do so for only the play in the Cathedral of Rheims, and by understanding the mind of the author we begin to see the disillusionment which

extracts:-*

dwo.

+

"Having shown us Joan as she have appeared to her conte pocerates Shaw next compares her with and Napoleon, and shows how even at

acca

éannot

the

Play

of

At this stage his Lordship adjourned

the hearing until 10. 15 this morning.

But

the

felt

miracle, of the changed wind. Sceno IV introduces the sinister element into the play and we meet the English (hardly as yet known by that name) in their camp. This scene might dream-and the celerity of the scene effective, and worn by their owners aa shifting and the noiselessness and general if they had been accustomed to the un- promptitude of the whole production a comfortable dress all their lives And thing almost beyond belief on a first the Russian artiste had done their work night. The settings were mainly arrang-beautifully. We most heartily congratu ed about an inner stage built up on late Mr. Sinclair, and I personally three steps, and one saw how a wall be-thank him and all his associates for a came an open doorway, or bow windows most thrilling evening.

(Continued on next Column),

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Tickets No. 55, 56, 57, in 2nd Row of Dress Circle for Thursday, 15th and, Friday, 16th have been Cancelled

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