238
CARL T. SMITH
The Regiment Amateur Dramatic Society put on in 1876 at the Garrison Theatre two short pieces, "Maud's Peril" and "John Brown John's Holiday". Both were written by an anonymous local resident.
Capt. Bunbury wrote a burlesque entitled "Butter Cup Bower" for presentation at an open air fete to raise funds for the Alice Memorial Hospital in 1886. It was repeated several months later as the dramatic portion of “A Musical and Dramatic Entertainment" to raise funds for an annual treat to the children of non-commissioned officers and men of the Garrison.
GARRISON AMATEUR GROUPS
We have noted that the first amateur dramatics were encouraged as diversion and entertainment for the military. Through the years various army and navy amateur groups have been organized in Hong Kong.
They performed under different names. These often included the name of the ship, regiment or unit of the performers. In the 1860s a group called the Garrison Amateur Theatrical Society was active. It was composed of officers. In 1897 there is notice of The Garrison Dramatic Society. The Military Mummers flourished from 1889 to 1892. In the 90s other groups called themselves "The Sons of Neptune" and "The Beetles".
During the 90s it was popular to put on productions called "Grand Assault at Arms" accompanied by "Military Spectacular Exhibitions". An 1893 production of this type concluded with "a grand representation of an attack on the Fortress of Ali Musjid", and at another in 1898 by a naval group from H.M.S. Powerful, the finale was three "real life Tableaux": Ready for Action, Battle Scene, and the Death of Nelson. At this particular performance Prince Henry and Princess Irene of the Prussian royal house were present. A patter song was introduced expressing these hopeful sentiments:
One word before I end my song
To welcome in far Hongkong
The grandson of our Gracious Queen†
Prince Henry's mother was Victoria, the Princess Royal, daughter of Queen Victoria, and wife of Frederick III, of Germany.
238
CARL T. SMITH
The Regiment Amateur Dramatic Society put on in 1876 at the Garrison Theatre two short pieces, "Maud's Peril" and "John Brown John's Holiday". Both were written by an anony- mous local resident.
Capt. Bunbury wrote a burlesque entitled "Butter Cup Bower" for presentation at an open air fete to raise funds for the Alice Memorial Hospital in 1886. It was repeated several months later as the dramatic portion of “A Musical and Dramatic Entertainment" to raise funds for an annual treat to the children of non-commissioned officers and men of the Garrison.
GARRISON AMATEUR GROUPS
We have noted that the first amateur dramatics were encouraged as diversion and entertainment for the military. Through the years various army and navy amateur groups have been organized in Hong Kong.
They performed under different names. These often included the name of the ship, regiment or unit of the performers. In the 1860s a group called the Garrison Amateur Theatrical Society was active. It was composed of officers. In 1897 there is notice of The Garrison Dramatic Society. The Military Mummers flourished from 1889 to 1892. In the 90s other groups called themselves "The Sons of Neptune" and "The Beetles".
During the 90s it was popular to put on productions called "Grand Assault at Arms" accompanied by "Military Spectacular Exhibitions". An 1893 production of this type concluded with "a grand representation of an attack on the Fortress of Ali Musjid", and at another in 1898 by a naval group from H.M.S. Powerful, the finale was three "real life Tableux": Ready for Action, Battle Scene, and the Death of Nelson. At this particular performance Prince Henry and Princess Irene of the Prussian royal house were present. A patter song was introduced expres- sing these hopeful sentiments:
One word before I end my song
To welcome in far Hongkong
The grandson of our Gracious Queen†
Prince Henry's mother was Victoria, the Princess Royal, daughter of Queen Victoria, and wife of Frederick III, of Germany.
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