1936-04-08 — Page 7

1,

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1936.

LIFE OF SIR WILLIAM GILBERT

FATHER RYAN'S ADDRESS TO

ENGLISH ASSOCIATION

His Operas With Sullivan And

Influence On Theatre

"Gilbert of the Savoy" was the title of the address delivered last night at the Helena May Institute to members of the Hong Kong Branch of the English Association by Father Ryan S.J.

In his long address, Father Ryan touched on the life of Sir William Gilbert, his collaboration with Sie Arthur Sullivan and his influence on the English theatre.

Opportunity was also taken to say farewell to Sir Thomas and Lady Southorn.

In the discussion that followed, are few among you to whom they The address. Prot, C. A. Middleton-have not meant many weil-remem- Smith recalled that many years ago when he was demonstrator at King's College, London, he was asked to speak at the annual meet- Ing of the Engineering Society and while looking over the minute booka discovered that -~ retary man by

at one stage had been a the name of W. S. Gilbers.

"The most "amazing" thing about this newly-appointed secretary was," said Prof. Middleton-Smith,

"that at the second meeting he moved that for the rest of the sea- slon the meeting should cerned with Shakespeare and musi- cal comedies."

con-

As a result, Gilbert was asked to speak at the meeting and turned out to be an exceedingly witty

after-dinner speaker, he sa'd.

bered hours of enjoyment. To some they may have meant, much more. It is only in recent years that we have begun to give full tribute to those influences that were working 01 Gur chi'dish character when professional educators were doing their best, or worst. with us. not an uncommon thing now for an eminent personage to admit that he was "brought up on 'Alice in Wonderland,!" and there are

It is

some too who could confess that they were brought up on "Gilbert

and Sullivan."

At any rate, if there are any Here whose first knowledge of the East was concerned with, the doings in the town of" tipa, whose car- East was concerned with the doings

moters were there to provide them. When a new Act in 1843 allowed the theatres more liberty, manag- ers had decided that they knew what the public wanted and al the plays acted into one or two regular moulds, and most of them were written by hack writera re- tained by the theatres to put to- gether whatever was required at the moment. After the first rush, again as in the crem, things be- gan to settle down and gradually come authors appeared, who re- stored some semblarice to real life, to e as depicted on the stage. Production, too, began to improv and some approach to naturalness began to replace the conventions that hitherto made people act ro unnatural y. T. W. Robertson marks a turning-point. His plays, ruch as Caste and School and Outs, though crude and elementary to

modern taste, brought something uf real life within the walls of the theatre, while as a producer he re- presented even. amore definite break with convention.

ACID THROWING AFFAIR

No Intention Says Defendant

in

the

Further proceedings ghostly acid throwing case In is charged with which File Kee throwing corrosive acid over. Yip Lin, a kept woman, was yesterday at the Central Police

beard

Court before Mr. W. Schofield.

Sub-Inspector. A. Carey was for the prosecution.

Yesterday Tung Shan, police constable gave evidence of the arrest of the defendant. He was followed in the box by Cheung. employee

Leung

of the Sir

Heung Yuen, who stated that the Arm had a license to sell hold. He produced a paper bearing the name of Tsu. Bun who had pur- thased the acid which had been used in the attack

Taui Bun when in the box stated that he had bought the acid at

The new broken when Obert began his as sociation with the theatre. Like

ground was already the request of the defendant who had told him that he wanted it for the manufacture of gas to All toy balloons.

many another man in theatrical history he canie to it with varied gifts and varied experiences! A. the beginning of his dramatic car- ser his chiet assets were a cynical it, a strong temper and a father who was obviously the source

f

both his "labilities were too much cynicism in his wit, too much fire in his temper, and too much of father who too obviously the source of his wit and his temper,

GILBERT'S FATHER

His father, also William, was a naval surgeon who took to writing

civilian life the temper and the

ANALYST'S EVIDENCE Sub-Inspector A. Carey then gave formal evidence, after which Mr. V. C. Branson Government Analyst deposed to the anding of acid on six articles of clothing, an umbrella, a glass jar and a glass bottle which were submitted him for examination.

to

The defendant then entered the box and sted that when he took the complainant to wife it was agreed that she should get 810 When she came and asked for 50

cents a day for house expenses

was given to her, but only for teni days.

She then requested that she be allowed to keep his capital and

DR. MACGOWN LEAVING

A Popular Sporting Figure

By the departure from the Col- ony by the Bine Funnel liner Hec- tor of Dr. C. C. Macgown, princi- pal of the medical firm of Mac.

gown, Anderson and Durran, Hong Kang 'will be losing one of its most. esteemed residents and most popu- lar sportsmen to-day.

Dr. Macgown, who intends to settle down in practice at Home, will be accompanied by his wife and their two children. Miss Hen- ther Macgown and Master Sandy Macgown.

Dr. Macgown has resided in the

Colony for many years, and apart from his firm's professional work, he has been on the consulting staff of the Alice Memorial and Amilat- ed Hospitals and a member of the New Territories Medical Benevol- ent Branch of the St. John Am- bulance Brigade. He has also been the principal medical officer of the China Underwriters, Ltd.

Being a man of marked ability and of sterling character, Dr. Mic- gown has been prominently A350- ciated with the social and sporting life of the Colony, and has also figured as an enthusiastic offici of the Hong Kong St. Andrew's Society, of which he is President.

Dr. Macgown is a keen amateur rider and owner, being Chairma of the Fanling Hunt and Race Club and a steward of the Jockey Club. He is also a keen amateur airman.

Dr. Macgown has been an ardent Volunteer, holding the rank of Ma. far in the Medical Section of the Defence Corps, while during the

was also on service.

tongue that were then associated upon being refused this she be- Great War from 1914 to 1918, he

spiced with the hope of meer

late in life-too late to give free Other speakers at the.. d'scussion some lonely cove a pirate band a play to the biting humour and whimsical imagination that his yesterday included Mr. G. P. de blood-thirsty and muses who in Martin and Sir Thomas Southern childhood years could never lookbooks display-and who brought to who proposed the vote of, thanks. on a posse of police without watch- In wishing" Sir Thomas and Ing eagerly to see if they would Lady Southorn every success in the

turn round and sing "Tarantara." future, Sir William Hornell recall-whose first one-finger efforts ed that they had been the founders the plano were centred on of the Hong Kong branch of the sama" or "Dear Little Buttercup" English Association and had done-If these are your childhood me- much to foster it.

mories, then there is a bond be- tween us, for they are also mine.

thanking

an

"Miya

Slr Thomas replied.

THEATRES HISTORY those present and mentioned Bir Ceci Clementi, Sir William Hornell

Sixty years ago the English thea and Prof. Simpson as having been ire was in a state

of transition. associated with him in his work Somehow it nearly always

seems for the Association. He promised to be in that state. but then It the gathering that if there wero was really so. The stage in the no Gambia branch of the Associa-eighteenth century had been tion, there soon would be one.

ventional but brilliant; in the first half of the nineteenth century it was neither conventional nor bril- liant; and when another Afty ye had passed it was conventio once more but thoroughly common- place. The English theatre in the arst half of the last century pre-

with the quarter-deck. He had threatened with violence so many publishers and editors, that he was a handicap to the younger William, but like many fathers of violent tempers he had a strong" affectio for his son, who, when quite and young, ilustrated his books was helped a lot in his early work by his father's shrewd criticisin

Young William intended to be- come an artillery officer, but as the Crimean War came to an end be- fore he was granted his commis- sion he lost interest in the army, though he served in the militia for twenty years. After pessing a

eivil

service examniation he be- came a clerk in the Education Department in which he

spent four thoroughly miserable years He was then called to the bar at brief and thor-

which he had

came very angry. "They constant- ly had quarre's and on these oc- casions she threatened that she would go away with another man. She had also challenged him (de- fendent) to stab her with a dag-

ger.

This challenge she always made when she was angry.

When she anally did leave In December. 1935, she took with her $45, of defendants. It was after this. defendant stated, that he went, to her with acid with the intention of threatening her bo-

By their charm of personality and social qualities, both Dr, and Mrs. Macgown have made numer- ous friends, who will wish them al health, happiness and prosperity in the Old Country,

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THE JAPAN HOTEL ASSOCIATION,

Affiliated with the Faremont Hotel Comfant of the Proiño Coast and

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ATAMI

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cause she had said that she was Three Lots Disposed FUKUOKA

unafraid of him. Upon arriving at Keswick Street, defendent stated that he had waited for a while and when complainant had come out of the house where she had been, they saw each other and that she had walked away towards the en- trance of the street. When she Brzaar, she met a friend who had reached the last house of Jardine's stopped to talk to her.

"My one great disappointment with the Association has been that so few people take part in the dis- cussions." said Sir Thomas. "We had intended these talks not to be merely lectures but that those present should take up any point they disaggreed with and start 3 cents a striking parallel to the de-oughly undistinguished career. His discussion which might be profit-velopment of the cinema in our first client able to everyone. I hope that this day, the one big difference being pocket who threw her boot at him pick Association will not develop into a

that things mov¿ much faster

when he falled to save her from 'ecture society and that people will

nowadays.

conviction. He was more success- get up after the lecturer has spok-

ful in defending a French ellent, en and say what they think.

who showed his gratitude by kiss-iritention of threatening her. ing him loudly in open court when the verdict was announced.

Lady Southern also thanked the

gathering.

It was announced that the next meeting of the Association would be held in October.

THE LECTURE

Owing to pressure on space a ther Ryan's address can be given only in part to-day. The remain- der will be published to-morrow.

Father Ryan said: Within the past few weeks, ever since the title of this paper announced, I have discovered that an apologia is necessary for GI-

WES

When the Napoleonic wars were over, the relief from anxiety which was felt in English inevitably created a greater desire for enjoy- ment, and the growth of education made many seek that enjoyment in the theatre, so that never since the days of Elizabeth was the thea- tre so popular. It was dim- cult to supply this sudden de- mand for theatrical entertain- licensed theatres, and to cope with ment. There were very tew the crowds these were increased to such a size that little could be heard, and the stage had to be Given over to what was apetacular and to the portrayal of violent

feelings,

was a woman

It is not recorded whether his other clients were equally demon- strative, but at any rate they did not do much to spread his fame, for in his four years at the bar he had only about twenty ellents in all, and his total earnings were

£75.

THREAT INTENTION Defendant continued that he walked past her and had held up the battle for her to see with the He

had no intention of pouring it over her. She tried to ward off his hand with the umbrella which she was carrying and that this action caused defendant to spill some of the acid on his palm. The pain wi's so great, he said. that he was forced to let the bottle fall and it fell on to the complainant's face. Seeing this he ran away but was arrested by the constable Jardine's Bazaar.

At Messrs. Lammert Brothers' Sales Rooms, No. 4. Duddell Street yesterday afternoon, three lots of valuable leasehold property were sold by public auction, by order of

Trading Society was the successful the mortgagees. The Netherlands

bidder, and secured all the three Jats.

MEMBER HOTELS

(46 IN ALL. IN JAPAN:- KABUIZAWA

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* Mikana. HorEL

NAGOYA

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The first lot, registered at the Land Office as Inland Lot No. 967. IN has an area of about 2,842 square feet, and its annual Crown Rental is $32. The lot is to held from the Crown for the unexpired residue of the term of 999 years, commencing from 22nd January 1844. price was $23.000.

The

Land Office

The second lot, registered at the as the Remaining Portion of Inland Lot No. 968, has an area of about, 1,305 square feet, As quite a young boy, Gilbert

and its annual Crown Rental is tried to become an actor. "It is

$122.00. The lot is to held from doubtful if he would have succeed-

the Crown for the unexpired re- In answer to questions the de-sidue of the term or 999 years, ed in that profession, for his few

fendant stated that he had asked commencing from 26th June 1843. were not appearances later on noteworthy. He played Harlequin an apprentice to buy the acid for The price was $15,500.

once at a charity matinee, and one manager's criticiam of his per- formance was that It gave a good

Unlicensed theatres sprang up. bert. Surprise has bapti expressaving an exciting and often a very idea of what Oliver Cromwell would

brief life, and able ponderous subject, and I have been little to those who provided the

to me that I did not choose a more

bert as unworthy of our considera-

to pay very

nave made of the character. His interest in the theatre, however, provided the chief solace to his monotonous fe in the Civil Ser- vice. He had ambitions as a play- wright.

in

him but only with the intention of frightening the complainant es she had heen too saucy and ag- gresave.

His Worship "committed the de- fendant to stand bis trial at the next Criminal Sessions.

www

career once more, and very readily. By the time he was twenty-four As a damatic critic he wrote cri- he had written afteen plays. They ticisms that were much more vio were the usual plays of a young en-lent than those which led him to thusiast, and in one of them there take legal action many times in were eighteen scenes, four catar later years when they were direct sets and a house on are.

ed against himself, and his life WROTE FOR "FUN"'

was becoming more and more cen- tred on the theatre. His real am-

It was

when he was a young

"The third lot, registered at the Land Office as the Remaining Por- tion of Inland Lot No. 2387, has an area of about 21,014 square feet, and its annual Crown Rental is $304. The lot is to held from the Crown for the unexpired residue of the term of 75 years, with the option of renewal for one further term of 75 years. The upset price for the lot, was $60,000, which was increased up to $60,500. 24

Mr. 1. E. Lammert conducted the

sales, while Mesars: Wilkinson and Grist were the solicitors for the mortgagees.

AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

plays, and other places where asked if I was aware that this is a serious body. It was, I found, no

music could be played or where use to reply that I had learned performing animals appeared be- from experience that it is a very gan to produce plays, but keeping the music and the animals, in or- serious budy, sometimes perhaps even too serious.

der to escape the censare of the But whatever may be the dim-Lord Chamberlain. In there er culty of putting reasons before cumstances the demand for new those who have the honour of the plays was enormous, as there has been for cinema plays to-day, and English Association so much at Leart that they never attend its there was no time for originality. sessions, I do not think that many Subjecta from a sources were here will regard Sir Witam Q-turned into plays overnight, and barrister that the first signs of his bition now was to be a dramatist.

there was no law of copyright to tion. It would be a very dull must-interfere, French and German real genius began to appear. This but soon he began to realise that was in the comic verse which neif he wanted to succeed in that cal society indeed that would. bar plays were translated and adapted,

contributed with, his own ustra- career he must make friends of from its discussions the musical English and French novels: were

tions to the new paper Fun, since those whom he was turning into side of the Gilbert and Sullivan ransacked for pots, even Pope's Punch refused them. Both the enemies by his criticism, so he Dorado Carried No Passenger

"The Rape of the Lock" appear words and the drawings were, re- dropped dramatic criticism partnership, and if the dullness f musical societies is proverbial, musting as & play.

miniscent of Thackeray's early print-though to the end of his we be duller still? My only regret

NOTHING SUBTLE

work, but in deftness and pun-| life, it continued to drip from his Helped along by a following There was a rush of comedy and geney they left Thackeray far betongue, in acid drops,

wind on her way from Tourane to farce, spectacle and burlesque, hind. They were signed "Bab," He was friendly in these days this Colony, the Imperial Airways opera and melodrams. There was his own family nickname as a with T W Robertson, whom I have nothing subtle of delicate what child, and when collected a few already mentioned and with an- was wanted was the play of broad years later they began their long other Popular dramatist of the effects and atmpé emotions, inter-career of popularity as the "Bab time, J. Byron who edited spersed with songs and dances, | Ballada."* *

"Fun and was the author of loud farce and gory melodrama, The success of these neems let our Boys and other dramas, and with fuming windmills and real to other adventures in Journalism, comedies that united shrewd work horses and real waterfalls, when and as it proved more successful the ancestors of the Hollywood pro- than the bar, Gilbert changed his

is that we have to seem to sever

that delightful partnership, and if sometimes I seem to step, over the Mmits from the hair I have chosen into the other half I am sure that

shall be forgiven,

OPERA'S POPULARITY There is no need for me to tell you about the position held in the Engilsh world of entertainment by the Savoy operas. Probably there

(Continued on page 12)

In

+

inail and passenger liner Dorado arrived here yesterday morning. three quarters of an hour ahead of its schedule.

Although a thick fog was noticed near and around the Colony this did not prove of any dumenity to the Hers. No passengers were carried for this trip.

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