RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-1982
https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/mk61z420p
CARL T. SMITH

Coward was followed, in 1923, with a science-fiction drama, "R.U.R." or "Rossum's Universal Robots". It was written by Karel Capek, a Czechoslovakian. The reviewer linked some political events with the theme of the play: "Saturday night brought us definite news of the elections at Home indicating how the workers of the country, dissatisfied with their lot, turned upon the Government and rose in support of the red flag of Labour. It was a coincidence that on the same night the Hong Kong A.D.C. introduced to the Colony a race of soulless, voteless men-machines, made by man in his own image to do the work of the world while the rest of us recline leisurely in our armchairs; told us they developed discontent and turned and rent their human tyrants".

Walter Sinclair left Hong Kong in 1925. He continued his directing career in Toronto, Canada and the United States.

After his departure, the A.D.C. largely reverted to comedy. It would be unfair, however, to suggest that all their productions fell into the category of the title of a 1925 piece of the A.D.C., "A Little Bit of Fluff". In the years immediately preceding the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, plays were presented by such respectable authors as Emlyn Williams, Terrance Rattigan and Somerset Maugham.

THE LOCAL SCENE

Opportunities were seized to inject local allusions in productions. As an example we give excerpts from the burlesque "Fra Diavolo" given by the Rifle Brigade. The author J. H. Thresher used the original by Byron only as a skeleton on which to lay topical references. His efforts were described as having a decided Gilbertian vein.

As befitting a production of the garrison some of the local allusions were military, as for instance the following references to the barracks at Kowloon. During an altercation between Lord and Lady Allcash, the Lord says to the Lady:

Madam, drive me not,

For if you do, I'll show you soon what's what; I'll make things fly, just like the late typhoon
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RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-1982
https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/mk61z420p
Smashed up the matsheds over at Kowloon; And here, perhaps, I may be allowed to say Apropos of nothing in the play,

These Kowloon matsheds are a perfect bane; They're hot and stuffy and let in the rain; And oh! those musical and parched mosquitoes When they are hungry, don't they fairly us.

The British soldiers should have bricks and mortar.

Our Ayrun* brother has them, then we oughter.

235

Then there were the opinions of life at the lower end of the military hierarchy. Giacomo and Beppo treat sarcastically the soldiers' life — they have just been encouraged to "go and enlist — you'll have extensive pay". Giacomo replies:

And get boiled beef for dinner every day.

A soldier's life ain't quite all beer and skittles, There's too much guard and not enough o' vittles.

And as for Beppo:

Me be a soldier not much. I couldn't stick it What price the slow march in defaulter's piquet, Instruction drill and then fatigues, although We don't mind working for the good old P. and O.** I rather fancy we should greatly like

To see the coolies go again on strike.

A dollar a day, more beer than we can carry

Is better than parade in Happy Valley

If that were all they did I would enlist.

The long delayed unveiling of the Queen Victoria Jubilee statue† in Statue Square drew comment when Fra Diavolo, being pounced upon by villagers, expresses surprise:

Well, landlord, may I beg an explanation Of this great rising of the population? Perhaps another statue has been found

* Native Indian troops also stationed at Kowloon,

** During a coolie strike in 1895 soldiers were used to load and unload cargoes.

†The statue was commissioned in 1890. It was not unveiled until May 1896.
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RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-1982
https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/mk61z420p
236

CARL T. SMITH

After nine years a lying-underground

That wants unveiling; is it the Duke of Connaught? I fear we cannot hold him tho' we ought,

Has Chater found his long-last C.M.G.

Or is the new club† opened by the sea?

Even the Kowloon-Canton Railway is referred to a dozen or so years before it became a fact.†† Fra Diavolo comments on reading a newspaper:

Next comes the news China is awaking Railways in all directions she is making. Fancy from Kowloon city setting forth,

'Change here for Shanghai, Peking, and the North".

One of the lyrics gave tips for cutting a figure during the pre-race season:

If you want to know the way to be a genuine Hong Kong sport,

Listen to me.

A griffin* you must have of course, no matter of what sort. At five o'clock in the morning you must trudge to the course;

A stop watch in your pocket is the game;

And though you need not know a job about a horse

They may think you Morny Cannon all the same.

Come along with me, come along with me.

With boots and breeches spick and span,

The latest pattern from Ah Man.**

† Sir Paul Chater, Hong Kong merchant and philanthropist. Made Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George 1897.

The Hong Kong Club moved from Queen's Road and Wyndham Street to its new building on the Praya (now Connaught Road) 26 July 1897.

††† William Danby, Civil Engineer, was requested by Chinese authorities to make a survey of a railway line from Canton to Kowloon (Daily Press 30 Aug. 1884). In 1888 a group of Chinese capitalists in Hong Kong revived a scheme to build the railroad. They received permission to proceed from the Peking Government in 1890,

A survey team began work in July 1890 (Daily Press 12, 18 June, 17 July 1890). The project fell through. One of its promoters, Lo Hok-pang, formed another syndicate at Canton in 1892, but again the proposal had to be dropped. (Hong Kong Telegraph 28 Oct. 1892).

* One of the China ponies sent from North China to Shanghai and then to Hong Kong.

** A Chinese tailor.
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RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-1989
https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/8336pm92h
222

the stage properties were unexceptionable". (NCH 22.10.1864)

15,10-21. 10. 1864

H.J. BYRON: "Fra Diavolo" (1858)

T: Burlesque burletta (1 act)

H.J. BYRON: "The Maid and the Magpie

T: Burlesque burletta (1 act), and other pieces.

C: Lewis A.D.C.

Th: N.N. (I

R: NCH 22,10,1864

17.10.1864 (Mon)

Concert by Mr. Desvachez (violin) and some local amateurs

Th: Shanghai Club

R: Another musical evening was given by Mr. DESVACHEZ in the recently completed Shanghai Club building. On this occasion "the audience was numerous and seemed to fully appreciate M. DESVACHEZ's musical talents”. (NCH 22.10.1864)

22.10.-28. 10. 1864

H.J. BYRON: "The Bride of Abydos" (1858)

T: Burlesque extravaganza (1 act)

N.N.: "The Lady of Lyons”, (No author mentioned, so it may have been original play by Lytton or the burlesque by H.J. Byron (1868)), and other pieces.

C: Lewis A.D.C.

Th: N.N. (l

R: For some actors of the Lewis troupe the strains of appearing every evening on the stage had become too much, for in the Herald it was "regretted that in thus making strenuous efforts to afford satisfaction to their audiences, two of the most promising members of the Company have become so severely indisposed as to be unable for some time to appear in public" (NCH 29.10.1864).

5.11.1864 (Sat) (See: Theatrical Advertisement, No. 10)

Amateur concert in aid of the repair fund of the "Hongque Free Episcopal Church”, the "Shanghai Vocal Quartette Club" and Mr. Marquis Chisholm, piano, Programme:

1. V. BELLINI: "La Sonnambula", duet (presumably 'Prendi l'anel ti dono' from act I) arranged for piano and harmonium by David Hermann ENGEL (1816-1877)

2. Sir Henry BISHOP: "Foresters sound the cheerful horn" (glee)

3. Marquis CHISHOLM: "Japanese Fantasia”

4. MULLER: "Maying" (sic; quartet)

5. Ballad "Arleen Aroom”

6. Philipp Friedrich SILCHER (1799-1860): "The Miller's Daughter” (quartet)

7. G. VERDI: "Rigoletto", duet ('E il sol dell' anima', act I; 'Piangi, fanciulla', act I), arranged for piano by John George CALLCOT (1821-1895)

8. Friedrich Wilhelm KÜCKEN (1810-1882): **Soldier's Love" (glee)

9. Valentin Eduard BECKER (1814-1890); "Cheer Up Companions” (choral march)

10. RADETSKA: "There's music in the air" (quartet)

11. G. DONIZETTI: "Lucrezia Borgia", arrangement for flute and piano by JAMES

12. Heinrich WERNER (1800-1833): "War Song" (glee)

13. CAXTON: "Breathe soft, ye winds"

14. William HORSLEY (and not F. Mendelssohn as stated in the advertisement): **By Celia's Arbour" (song)

15. Sir Henry BISHOP: "Sleep gentle lady" (glee)

16. William Vincent WALLACE (1813-1865): "Lurine", duet arranged for piano and
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RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-1989
https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/8336pm92h
236

P: 12.11.-18.11.1864

"No | Round the Corner" (12.3.1854). P: 23.1.1856

**Perdita the Royal Milkmaid or The Winter's Tale** (15.9.1856). P: 8.4.1865

BUCKINGHAM, Leicester Silk (1825-1867)

"Take That Girl Away (5.3.1855). P: 15.2.1860; 3.12.1864

BUCKSTONE, John Baldwin (1802-1879)

**A Dead Shot** (22.1.1827). P: 11.4.1865

"The Flowers of the Forest. A gipsy story" (11.3.1847), P 28.3.-5.4.1865 "Isabella or Woman's Life" (27.1.1834). P: 28.3-5.4.1865

"A Kiss in the Dark" (13.6.1840). P: 26.3.1857

"A Lesson for the Ladies" (5.9.1838), P: 8.4.1865 "Married Life" (20.8.1834). P: 12.11-18.11.1864 "A Rough Diamond" (8.11.1847). P: 13.4.1865

BUTLER, Richard (1794-1858)

**The Irish Tutor** (12.7.1822). P: 5.5.1853

BYRON, Henry James (1834-1884)

**Aladdin or the Wonderful Scamp** (1.4.1861), P: 2-.9.1864; 19.11.1864; 26.11.1864; 29.4.1865

"The Babes in the Wood! and the Good Little Fairy Birds!" (18.7.1859), P: 17.4.1865

**The Bride of Abydos or the Prince, the Pirate and the Pearl** (31.5.1858). P: 22.10-28.10.1864; 13.4.1865

"Cinderella or the Lover, the Lacky and the Little Glass Slippers" (26.12.1860). P: 12.11.-18.11.1864

"Fra Diavolo! or the Beauty and the Brigands" (5.4.1858). P: 15.10-21.10.1864

**The 'Green' Bushes or Missis Brown of the "Mississippi"** (26.12.1864), P: 30.9.1865

**Ill Treated Il Trovatore or the Mother, the Maiden and the Musician** (21.5.1863). P: 22.6.1864; 29.6.1864

**The Maid and the Magpie or the Fatal Spoon** (11.10.1858). P: 8.10-14.10.1864; 15.10-21.10.1864; 15.4.1865

"Princess Springtime or The Envoy who stole the King's Daughter" (26.12.1864). P: 10.11.1865; 20.11.1865

CAREY, Henry (1687?-1743)

"The Dragon of Wantley" (1737; music by John Frederick Lampe). P: 26.1.1852

"A Wonder or an Honest Yorkshireman" (1735). P: 12.11.-18.11.1864

CENTLIVRE, Susannah (1667?-1723)

"The Wonder. A Woman Keeps A Secret" (April 1714). P: 12.11.-18.11.1864

CHELTNAM, Charles Smith (1823-?)

"Aurora Floyd or the Deed in the Wood" (11.3.1863), P: 26.11.1864; 17.4.1865

"A Lucky Escape" (9.9.1861). P: 25.4.1864

COLMAN, George, the younger (1762-1836)

"The Heir at Law" (15.7.1797). P: 21.4.1851

**Love Laughs at Locksmiths** (25.7.1803). P: 9.5.1864

**The Review or The Wags of Windsor** (2.9.1800), P: 24.3.1852

COURTNEY, John (1813-1865)

**Time Tries All** (4.9.1848). P: 5.5.1860; 21.3.1865
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RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-1989
https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/8336pm92h
241

Aurora Floyd Burlesqued: W.B. Gill; 19.4.1865.

The Babes in the Wood: J.H. Byron; 17.4.1865.

A Bachelor of Arts: P. Hardwicke; 10.2.1858, 8.5.1865. Betsey Baker; J.M. Morton; 23.3.1853.

Binks the Bagman: J.S. Coyne; 8.10.1857.

The Birthday: T.J. Dibdin; 9.2.1858.

Black-eyed Susan: D.W. Jerrold; 28.3-5.4.1865.

Bombastes Furioso: W.B. Rhodes; 28.1.1851, 5.5.1858.

The Boots at the Swan: C. Selby; 14.12.1865.

Box and Cox: J.M. Morton; 15.5.1854, 18.2.1857.

The Bride of Abydos: H.J. Byron; 22.10.-28.10.1864.

Bullrick at Kroll: N.N.; 28.3.1864.

Camille: A. Dumas Jr; 27.3.1865.

A Capital Match: J.M. Morton; 23.4.1857, 3.12.1864.

Charles the Second: J.H. Payne; 16.3.1858.

Cinderella: H.J. Byron? T. Taylor?; 12.11.-18.11.1864, 28.4.1865. The Colleen Bawn: D. Boucicault; 25.4.1865.

A Conjugal Lesson: H. Danvers; 26.3.1857.

Conrad and Medora: W. Brough; 12.E.-18.E.1864.

Cool as a Cucumber: M.W.B. Jerrold; 26.3.1857, 30.3.1864, 4.4.1864. Crinoline: R.B. Brough; March 1863; 16.3.1863, 1.4.1864.

The Daughter of the Regiment: E. Fitzball? 15.4.1865.

A Dead Shot: J.B. Buckstone; 11.4.1865.

The Debut: N.N.; 1.4.1864.

Delicate Ground: C. Dance; 13.2.1864.

Diamond cut Diamond: W.H. Murray; 12.12.1850.

Done on both sides: J.M. Morton; 10.2.1858.

The Dragon of Wantley: H. Carey & J.F. Lampe; 26.1.1852.

Duck Hunting: J.S. Coyne; 30.3.1864, 4.4.1864,

The Dustman's Belle: C. Dance; 9.2.1858.

Faint Heart never won Fair Lady: J.R. Planché; 8.10.-14.10.1864, 14.12.1865.

A Fast Train! High Pressure!! Express!!!: J.M. Maddox; 8.3.1854.

A Fearful Tragedy in the Seven Dials: C. Selby; 15.2.1860.

Fitzsmythe of Fitzsmythe Hall: J.M. Morton; 26.3.1863.

The Flowers of the Forest: J.B. Buckstone; 28.3.-5.4.1865. Fra Diavolo: H.J. Byron; 15.10.-21.10.1864.

The Frantic Husband: N.N.; 26.4.1865.

The Golden Farmer: J.C. Cross? B. Webster? 8.10.1857,

A Good Night's Rest: C.G.F. Gore; 21.2.1856.

The Goose with the Golden Eggs: A. Mayhew & H. Sutherland; 13.2.1863, 17.2.1863, 26.4.1865

The Governess (Die Gouvernante): T. Körner; 28.3.1864.

Grimshaw, Bagshaw and Bradshaw: J.M. Morton: 2.6.1859.

The 'Green' Bushes: H.J Byron: 30.9.1865.

A Hard Struggle: J.W. Marston; 12.11.-18.11.1864.

The Harvest Home: A.F.F. von Kotzebue; 28.3.1864.

The Haunted Inn: R.B. Peake; 6.5.1852.

The Heir at Law: G. Colman the Younger; 21.4.1851.
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