RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-1984 https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/5h73wh572 Trustee British Episcopal Church 1852-1853,199 TALBOT, G.W. 1864-1865 In 1874 he was a partner in Olyphant & Co., Hong Kong. Member of the NCBRAS 1864.201 200 221 Active in amateur dramatics and in March 1864 he participated in performances of the Shanghai Volunteer Theatrical. TATE, Joseph Priestley 1861-1862 Authorized to sign for Jas. Bowman & Co. April 23, 1858,203 later partner in Blain, Tate & Co.204 Member Committee Shanghai Literary and Scientific Society 1858,205 member NCBRAS till 1873,206 member Recreation Fund Committee 1866.207 Member Committee I. THORBURN, William 1855-1856 Lived in Shanghai from 1847;208 partner in Hargreaves & Co. till May 17, 1856,209 in Blenkin, Rawson & Co. from August 4, 1856,210 later (1863, 1864) partner in Jarvie, Thorburn & Co.211 Member Committee IV. Possibly Thorburn Road was named after him. THORNE, John 1858-1859 Came to China as agent of Wells Fargo & Co.;212 later he acted as a broker. From its foundation in October 1867 till December 1871 he was editor of "The Shanghai News-Letter for California and the Atlantic States".213 Member Committee Society for the Relief of Distressed Foreigners of All Nationalities, 1865;214 member Committee NCBRAS 1865.215 TURNER, Henry 1862-1863 Manager Agra and United Service Bank 1862.216 ================================================================================ RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-1989 https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/8336pm92h 159 still more because of the unsettled conditions in China during the 1850s and 1860s. Internal dissent manifested itself through the Taiping rebellion, in which Shanghai was threatened. The native city was occupied by insurgents during 1853-1855 and in order to prevent Imperial troops from threatening the neutrality of the Settlement, the recently formed Shanghai Volunteer Corps (which later, in the 1860s, gave some amateur dramatic performances) fought the Battle of Muddy Flat on April 4, 1854, a skirmish about which some Shanghailanders still spoke with unreserved pride fifty years later, but for which a performance of the dramatic corps had to be postponed for more than a month. ― In the early sixties, tension heightened again; in August 1860, the Taipings threatened the Settlement; 1861 was relatively calm, but in January and August 1862, the town was once more the target of the rebels. Foreign, mainly British, troops, however, had been brought down to Shanghai from North China, where they had been fighting another war, and with the aid of the Shanghai Volunteer Corps, as well as mercenaries, all attacks could be staved off. Early in 1864, the Taiping insurrection was definitely quelled, All this was not without its consequences, of which only those pertaining to theatrical life need detain us here. It was not to be wondered that, as long as the Settlement was under the threat of attack, its foreign population had other matters to attend to than mere amusement, so in these years (1861-1862), there is an almost total eclipse of entertainment. Yet, no sooner had tensions eased somewhat than "nightlife" again appeared in full swing. The thousands of soldiers and marines had swelled the originally small population; as a result, this led, on the one hand, to amateur dramatics by the garrison forces; on the other, to an increased audience for travelling companies, which gave, for the first time in Shanghai's history, rather lengthy seasons. As was mentioned above, the resident foreign population was fairly small, and this should not be forgotten during any discussion of cultural life in the Settlement. In 1846, the total number of foreigners was given as 120; five years later, the British census showed 256, of whom 38 were females; in December 1859, there were 495 male and 74 female westerners, whereas the census of March 1865, which incorporated the results of events in recent years, showed a total of about 2100 resident foreigners, increased by 1850 military (a number which had no doubt been still higher in 1863 and 1864) --- 160 women again formed a tiny ================================================================================ RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-1989 https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/8336pm92h 163 concert. Everything was conducted in a quiet gentlemenly manner so that we imagined ourselves in a drawing room more than in a theatre. There was no attempt at grandeur of display (...) which characterises too much the quasi musical taste of the day where the composition of the author is sacrificed frequently to the execution of the performer and the audience is led to think more of the latter than of the former**. "The "Shanghai Commercial Record" reported in a similar laudatory way about the Annual Volunteer Concert on February 15, 1865: “We fancy few home concerts could show anything better; amateur concerts we are sure rarely could".20 However, about professional musicians, and those formed the majority of performers, the critic sometimes made no bones about his disapproval: speaking of a recital given by a Professor Shonbrun on the piano in March 1859, he was "sorry to say we have no great opinion of his powers; the skill and artistic feeling which would be highly respectable in an Amateur reflect no especial credit on a professional player'"; at the same time **the Amateurs who assisted Mr. Shonbrun did their share well and merit great praise". Thus the line was drawn, at least by this particular reviewer. III. The Companies A. Theatrical **21 Writing about the theatrical companies that performed in Shanghai during the period 1850-1865, a distinction must be made between those that were got up from among the local residents, those that were initiated by the military garrison, and those that were of a professional, travelling nature. The Local Companies On November 15, 1866, it was proposed at a meeting of the Dramatic Corps of the Infantry and Rangers of the Shanghai Volunteers Corps that “a Dramatic Society be formed",22 and hardly a month later the Shanghai Amateur Dramatic Corps was established on December 7.23 Its objects were stated to be "the encouragement and maintenance of an amateur theatre in Shanghai; the maintenance of a theatrical library and the management of funds for theatrical purposes". There were to be no honorary members but only those who were willing to be active ================================================================================ RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-1989 https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/8336pm92h 165 unanimous voice of the Community in wishing that the Corps would again favour us with their highly agreeable representations”.30 ― A new venture in local companies was started in 1864 when, after the troubles of the Taiping rebellion, the Shanghai Volunteer Corps which had taken part in the defence of the Settlement apparently had enough superfluous energy to direct their efforts into more peaceful ventures. On March 30, 1864, Kenney's Raising the Wind, Jerrold's Cool as a Cucumber and Coyne's Duck Hunting were the three pieces given. Several more performances followed in 1864 (April 25, May 26) and 1865 (March 21, May 8, December 14). Not to be outdone by their colleagues, the Mounted Rangers, part of the S.V.C. and formed in 1862, decided to put on theatricals too. May 24, 1865 saw their first moves on the stage with Planché's The Knights of the Round Table and Mayhew's The Wandering Minstrel.3 31 Later performances were given on November 11 and 20, 1865, and January 12 and March 28, 1866. It was these two groups that in 1866 resolved on the foundation of the Amateur Dramatic Corps. Another local company saw the light in June 1864: The Amateur Burlesque Company Ltd. Whether they were not satisfied with the existing conditions of the theatre in Shanghai or whether the demand for Thespian evenings was so great cannot be ascertained; in any case it was announced that **although the theatrical season has closed, the approach of the hot weather warning us against crowded assemblies, a number of gentlemen have formed themselves into a burlesque company**. But the heat was no deterrent and on June 28, 1864 Lacy's The Silent Woman and H.J. Byron's Ill Treated Il Trovatore came off with considerable success, so much so that "many of the audience were disposed to believe that they were witnessing a display of professional talent". The society proved not to be a one-day affair, for it gave a number of other representations in 1864 and 1865. The actors in it probably consisted mainly of British and Americans; of another company that was also established in 1864 it may safely be assumed that only compatriots were members, viz. the Portuguese amateur dramatic club. Although the Portuguese population of Shanghai was small (the census of 1865 showed a total of 110, including 14 women and 15 children) this was apparently no hindrance to the staging of plays ================================================================================ RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-1989 https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/8336pm92h 219 Colins: Mrs. C.R. Faylor Love Laughs at Locksmiths Robin: Mes. C.R. Faylor Juliac: Mrs. E. Yeanians Dame Durden: Mr. E. Yeamans. Paddy Druden: C.R. Faylor Only an advertisement for this performance was published in the Herald of May 7. The stage often has its own laws as to the gender of the participants. In amateur theatricals, men dressed up as women à l'outrance, whereas in a professional company like the present one male characters were personified by ladies and vice versa! 14.5.1864 (Sat) Performance by the amateurs of the Royal Artillery. No titles of plays recorded. Th: N.N. (H) R: NCH 21.5.1864 17.5.1864 (Tue) Repeat of 14.5.1864. 26.5.1864 (Thur) J.M. MORTON: “Whitebait at Greenwich" (1835) T: Farce (1 act) C. MATHEWS: "Little Toddlekins” (1852) T: Comic drama (1 act) J.M. MORTON: “Poor Pillicoddy” (1848) T: Farce (1 act) C: Amateurs of the Shanghai Volunteer Corps F: Epilogue spoken by R.C. Antrobus, commander of the S.V.C. Th: N.N. (H) N: Final performance of the season R: For the occasion Edward LAWRENCE, who was a "practitioner at Law and Notary Public” according to the “Shanghai Almanac for 1862”, had written an epilogue which was read by the commander of the S.V.C., Robert Crawford ANTROBUS (member of the Municipal Council 1864-1865). And, as if to give more weight to its reception, the Herald added that “many of the ladies joined in the applause” (NCH 28.5.1864). 28.5.1864 (Sat) **An Evening at Home**: "Songs interspersed with anecdotes and conversation of the most lively description”. C: Mr. J.R. Black Th: Olympic Theatre (H) 31.5.1864 (Tue) As on 28.5.1864. 3.6.1864 (Fri) As on 28.5.1864. 13.6.1864 (Mon) "An Evening at Home - Great Jacobite Night" by Messrs. J.R. Black and Marquis Chisholm. Performance of the play The Advantages of Bonnie Prince Charlie or the Rising of 1745 (No piece with this title appears in HED), as well as ballads and songs (including 'Vi ravviso from Bellini's "La Sonnambula", act 1). Th: Olympic Theater (H) ================================================================================ RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-1989 https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/8336pm92h 225 "Lady Audley's Secret", for which HED lists the following authors: C.H. HAZLEWOOD (1863), G. ROBERTS (1863) and W.E. SUTER (1863). C: Shanghai Amateur Burlesque Company Th: N.N. (I) R: For the first time we have at our disposal another source than the "North China Herald" for reviews of the Shanghai theatre, viz. the "Shanghai Commercial Record". In general, though, the reports were in the same vein as those in the Herald had been, but sometimes more information was given and different accents set. Hardly so for tonight's pieces: they "reflected great credit on the talent of the performers and their endeavour to provide for the amusement of their fellow exiles has we are sure been highly appreciated" (SCR 7.1.1865). The Herald only published an announcement (NCH 24.12.1864). 11.1.1865 (Wedn) D. BOUCICAULT: "The Octaroon" (1859) T: Drama (4 acts) C: Thorne (travelling) Company Th: Lyceum Theatre (1) R: Sometimes the availability of two sources does not make it easier to make a judgement about the truth of things. What to think e.g., of the following reports on the Thorne Company: The Herald was short in its weekly summary of 14.1.1865: "The Thorne Company have given a successful representation of the Octoroon at the Lyceum Theatre and announce a second performance for this evening" (i.e., Saturday). In contrast, the Shanghai Commercial Record reported in its issue of January 25: "We have had another theatrical troupe here, calling themselves the Thorne Troupe. But whether it is that Shanghai has had too much of this class of entertainment lately, or that the pressure of the times is so great that people do not care to attend the Theatre, we cannot say. Both these causes combined probably to render the patronage bestowed on the Thorne Troupe extremely small. Indeed, when they opened on Wednesday evening last [this should read January 11 - JH] it was literally to an empty house for we hear there was actually no one present to view the performance. The company, as well they might be, were so disgusted that they left next day for San Francisco where we sincerely trust they will be more successful" Cf. however, Survey, note $2. 14.1.1865 (Sat)? As above? 4.2.-10.2.1865 Concert by Mr. Desvachez and Signor Enrico Grossi. Th: Town Hall of the French Concession R: The violinist DESVACHEZ returned to Shanghai, this time accompanied by the bass singer Enrico GROSSI who had earlier, in December 1863, performed with the Faylor Company in Macao (see BGM 14.12.1863). The concert had called for favourable comment at the hands of our music critic” — indicating that a more detailed review had appeared in the North China Daily News (NCH 11.2.1865). 15.2.1865 (Wedn) Annual Volunteer Concert by the Volunteer Band and the "Shanghai Amateur Quartet Club**. Th: Shanghai Club R: The Commercial Record of 22.2.1865 gave the following impression of this concert: "The Volunteer Band was assisted by the Shanghai Amateur Quartette Club and several gentleman amateurs. The large room in the Club House was lent for the occasion and we were glad to see it well filled. The gay uniforms of the Shanghai Mounted Rangers, mingled with the more sober dress of the Volunteers gave the room a very gay ================================================================================ RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 | RAS-1989 https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/8336pm92h 231 attitude to such interpolations, 13.2.1863). The qualities of most players have already been touched upon; others were JOHN EDOUIN, “a capital dancer"; his sister ROSE EDOUIN who, in burlesques, was "not to be overlooked; there is a style about her which commands and her gesture is sufficiently theatrical to impose upon her audience where a little less or a little more demonstration might have failed." Mr. W.B. GILL whose acting was not "thoroughly under command", nevertheless had "his place marked out for him and we hope some day to see him take up a leading position as a low comedian". On the other hand Mr. ANDREWS was a useful actor who is careful in his parts does not do more than he needs to do". The Company had had tolerably good houses and their departure was regretted for it was felt that Shanghailanders had seen "perhaps the best company East of the Cape". It went on to Foochow, Amoy and other southern ports. (SCR 5.5.1865). 6.5.-12.5.1865 Two concerts by Mr. and Mme Simonsen (violin and singing resp.) TH N.N. R: For the first time since August 1863 Martin SIMONSEN came to the port, with his wife who was a singer, after recitals in Hong Kong. Rather disappointingly the first two concerts “did not draw very large houses", but "they were warmly applauded by all who listened to the spirit-stirring sounds of Mr. SIMONSEN's violin and the melting tones of Mme SIMONSEN's voice", (NCH 13.5.1865). 8.5, 1865 (Mon) PELHAM HARDWICKE: (= C. MATHEWS) "A Bachelor of Arts" (1853) T: Comic drama (2 acts) J.M. MORTON: "The Two Bonny Castles" (1851) T: Farce (1 act) C: Amateurs of the Shanghai Volunteer Corps Th: Lyceum Theatre (1) R: According to both the Herald and the Record the pieces went off successfully (NCH 13.5.1865; SCR 22.5.1865). 17.5.1865 (Wedn) Concert by Mr. and Mme Simonsen Th: Lyceum Theatre (1) R: In order to draw more people the admission charge at the Lyceum Theatre had been reduced to $3 with the result that a "full audience was present” (NCH 20.5.1865). No programmes of these concerts were published. 20.5.1865 (Sat) Concert by Mr. and Mme Simonsen, with the Band of the 67th Regiment. Programme: "Kathleen Mavourneen" (song), **No not I** (song), C.A. de BERIOT: “Air varié”, N. PAGANINI: "Carnival of Venice", C.M. von WEBER: "Aufforderung zum Tanz”, 'Monastery Bells", "Valse de concert" (song). Th: Lyceum Theatre (1) R: This was the last concert given by the SIMONSENS in Shanghai. According to the Shanghai Commercial Record it was a great success. Mme SIMONSEN sung the song "Kathleen Mavourneen" which "literally “brought down the house" (this must have been an exaggeration), after which she gave with great effect a very charming little skittish song “No not I'". Her husband repeated some of the pieces he had performed seven years earlier (October 1858); Paganini's "Carnival of Venice" (with which the critic was "not so much pleased") and the variations by De Bériot. In addition "he introduced one or two movements [into the Carnival of Venice? – JH] which we have ================================================================================