1926-12-20 — Page 7

MUSICAL JOTTINGS.

"The Pirates of Penzanco"---Two Kinds of Criticism...

D

[BY "ALLEGRO."]

The Pirates of Penzance" has run through its six performances and has made good. An enormous amount of work was put into it and it was rewarded by three pack- ed houses, one nearly full, and two at least two thirds full-much heavier bookings than are usually experienced either by amateur or professional shows in this Colony, A production of that kind can be judged a success if it is financial- ly profitable and the public is pleased with it, and bath these conditions have been fulfilled be- yond all expectations. The com- ments overheard have been quite enthusiastic and so long as it" was on the whole an enjoyable show, it really does not matter much whether it was produced better by the amateurs of Yunnanfu Just year or by the Philharmonic at

Timbuctoo in 1910,

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH,

`BOYCOTT FEELING.

(Continued From Pago 1.).

of foreign' goods up to the end of September were practically nil. The takings of the C. M. Customs, here for the third quarter of 1926 amounted to Tls, 8,073, as against Tla. 24,860 for same period 1925, a decrease of Tis. 16,787.

CRIMINAL SESSIONS

TRIAL.

FIVE MEN CHARGED WITH PIRACY.

The Saikung piracy case came before the Chief Justlec, Sir Henry Gollan, and a jury at the Criminal Sessions this morning," when five men were charged with the plracy of the launch Safkung, and the murder of an Indian guard. Mr. A. Dyer Ball ta-for the Crown, and Mr. II. S. Lo, instructed by Mr. Gordon Lensk, is defending.

was

ANTI-BRITISH FEELING. The merchants, so far as I have been able to find out, and I have discussed the matter with many of them, declare that they will not try handle. British gouds. That is, however, natural since the boycott Mr. Dyor Ball explained that; is declared to be still on against the Inunch

Saikung travelled auch merchandise. Should the boy-between Shaukiwan and Saikung, cott be really lifted, there is not which was to the east of the Now much doubt but that they would Territories. The launch buy British or any other goods. fitted with grills in accordance However, it cannot be denied that with the Anti-Piracy Regulations, the anti-British feeling throughout but it was not certain whether the southern districts is very pro- these were closed at the time. zounced. The Wanhsien affair has The launch left Salkung for Shau- had a lot to do with that. Of Kiwan, and her course would be course, the British side of the incid- through Port Shelter, Fuliman, ent is not told, the Chinese ver and Lyemun Pass. The owner of sion only being given, and, as is the launch was on board, and he natural, the story is greatly exag-ordered the launch to go to an gerated. Though the British may island eastwards to pick up a have had gond reasons for acting as cargo of dried nah. A police they did under the circumstances, in the eyes of many Chinese there was no excuse for the act, and the incident is being utilised for pro- paganda purposes even in far in- land villages where I have travelled.

launch saw the launch go off her. course, and, as this constituted a breach of the regulations, the police launch set a course to inter- cept the launchi when it arrived home.

INDIAN QUARD SHOT.

After having obtained the cargo of fish, the launch set out for Hongkong, but a few minutes after leaving the island, three men, armed with rifles, ran up the steps leading to the bridge. . At the time, the coxswain was on the

Of course it would be ridiculous to maintain that the production was above criticism; many things which might have been improved upon would readily occur to one who was out to find fault with the performance. There was one in- strumentalist in the orchestra, for

INLAND PROPAGANDA instance, whom I would cheerfully

In my travels Inland in Southern have banged over the head with Kwangtung, I have taken much his Instrument had I not feared pains to ascertain just what is the that "the consequences would be attitude of the people of these more most 'dianstrous" to myself.” My remote places toward Britain. To hand was stayed also, however, day, as never before, the Shanghai on account of my knowledge of and Canton 'incidents are being dis- the difficulty of finding anyone cussed inland. It would seem that who is keen enough on music to the people of the more remote dis- bridge with three Indian gcards, keep up his instrumentál playing tricts are only now beginning to whose rifles were stacked in a out here; and when you discover realise what it is all about. The corner of the wheel house. An- an enthusiastic little band who Publicity Department of the Na-other guard was inside the wheel give of their best hour after hour, tionalist Army has done and house. The armed men attacked week after week, in an endeavour is still doing much work in this to provide the orchestral music respect. Unions have been organis- essential to the success of the play, ed everywhere and the members of it would be a very mean thing to each Union are instructed on these bash in the cranium of anyone subjects, and many others, by mem- because he was somewhat belowbers of the Political Department of professional standard..

*

There were

the Kuomintang. I have noted that in many cases Britishers are There are two kinds of criticism not hated as individuals, but where. that can be levelled against any

ever one goes one heurs the cry show, amateur or professional "Down with Imperiallam" and helpful, constructive criticism and

"Down with England." the destructive, and at times. The above is not pleasant to read, abusive, variety..

but I have talen much pains to well-wishers who actually put forwrite as near as possible what ap- ward their humble suggestions to pears to be general feeling of the the producer, for him to act upon people I have met. I do not think if he saw fit. We need not bother one would find the same feeling now with what the suggestions everywhere, for all are not worked were, but they were made and upon by agitators to the extent that likewise received in the right they are in Southern Kwangtung. spirit without being ventilated in the press.

That is the one type of criticism.

On the other hand, if you feel unduly liverish, you may dip pen in ink and rattle off some such comment as this:

"Mr. Blobnose, who took the part of So-and-So, bellowed in his accustomed manner to the discom- fort of the occupants of the stalls. He had been eating onions, as was the case when I heard him at the Helena May Institute on Indepen- dence Day, and I suggest that un- less he discovers a new diet by to-morrow night the producer should let his understudy take the part. His wart, too, is becoming more noticeable than ever, which is quite out of keeping with his part."

That would be rather fruity to start off with, 'wouldn't it? Then you might go on:

the guards, and the fourth guard came from the wheel house with" a ride, of which he used the butt end. No. 3 prisoner tried to wrest the rifle from the Indian, and the Indian fell. As he atempted to rise, No. 3 was seen to draw his revolver and fire at him.

More "Shots were then. fired, and two of the guards either jumped or were thrown overboard,

but they were rescued. The guard who was shot died in Kowloon Hospital from a fatal wound in the abdomen, and evidence would be called to the effect that the shot was fired at close quarters.

ROBBERS FLEE.

were

A man pointed a revolver at the owner, who identified the man as No. 1, and told him to be quiet or Outside the Yaumati typhoon he would be shot. Shortly after- shelter yesterday, a collision oc-wards, eried of "Police!" curred between cargo-boat No. heard, and the men ordered the DTV and the steam-launch Miton. coxswain to go alongside a fishing The junk was damaged to the ex-boat, which they boarded, tent of $200. No lives were lost, from which they landed and went' away, over the hills, when it was seen they were currying an attache case and three rifles.

and

They threatened the compradore and took $620, and also robbed, other passenger's. One woma identified No. 5. na

is really nu admission that you have been such a long time out of touch with all that is best in Music and Art, Having proved that you are an old-stager, it does not matter if you make any slight It was not until the coxswain faux-pas, such as referring to the blew four blasts that the police playing of the orchestra as "or-realised that there was anything

when they chestration," while a little faulty wrong, and grammar here and there will be aboard the robbers had gone. forgiven.

**THE ARRESTS.

came

You can now start in to ridicule Continuing, Mr. Dyer Ball salī the show. If it is called, say, five men left three revolvers at a The Last of Mrs. Cheyney" it shop near Lung Sha Wan, and 45 wouldn't be a bad idea to argue they did not return for them, they that what was really produced was were handed over to the police. "Miss Gladsome Optik, who gave The Last" of (here mention the Another man changed $40, 11 a feeble impersonation of the name of the leading lady)," as Hongkong currency for twenty- Loose Woman, looks decidedly she is obviously so paase that you cent Canton pieces, and it was better on the stage than dif it. are convinced it is the last time significent that when arested No. Whether this is due to the artifi- one will; ever see her behind the I had that amount of money on- ein light or not, I cannot say, footlights. Having expressed him. Other men went to a tailor's but her stage wig certainly looks your feelings about all the prin- shop to buy new clothes, but when less moth-eaten than her real one. cipal artists, always leave space they returned the following day Her teeth got rather, in the way for a little commendation; it will for the clothes they were arrestod. of her low "bottom Csay was win you much esteem. For in- One of them ran naked into the case when she tried to sing at stance, if all the singers or actors wash house, but he was caught, the Gospel Hall in 1924, but on ❘ are really hopeless and the scenery and a leather wallet "containing this occasion they did not actually is just as bad, look round for $7.80 was found which Was be- fall out."

Another something else which wasn't too lieved belonged to him. awful.

man ran downstairs and was found in a cockloft, while another was arested in a hut. The firs!. prisoner was found asleep in a public lavatory, and money found in his girdle

That, too, would be a nice dig at somebody!

*

"Being anxious to give credit where credit is due, and indeed "Of course, if you are going in to magnify any laudablo. aspects for wholesale condemnation, it is of the production, I feel impelled just as well, to impress your rea- to say that were it not for a ders with your unique, qualifica- tendency to lisp and raise his tiona as a critic to begin with, em- eyebrows unduly, Mr. Thingamy's phasizing that you have been on acting was quito n praise-worthy gaged in organising and criticis effoft. The way he hitched up Ing concerts, or switching on foot- his trousers in Act IV, scene 8, lights, or making "noises off" since cnused the only real laugh during you were a little boy of five." the whole evening. I must also This will at once give you a cor compliment Mrs. Whatsername tain standing, and if you say that upon her beautiful blue gartera in the whole course of your career which gave the one touch of colour

The ease is proceeding.

QUEEN'S THEATRE.

↑

Wis

קוי

MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1926.

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