1936-12-22 — Page 24

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1936.

WILK STOUT

MACKESON'S

MILK STOUT

$3.40

Per Dozen Nips.

$39.00

Duty Paid

Per Case of 144 Nips. Duty Paid

A. S. WATSON & CO., LTD.

EST. 1841

RECORDS FOr your chRISTMAS PARTY

BD 333

Football Pool Game & Totalisator Game B3124 Medley of Christmas Melodies (Organ) Arthur Meale. B3977 The First Nowell and Logond.... Royal Choral Society. 82979 Try your fortune-Ladies & Try your fortune-Gentlemen. C1589 While Shepherds Watched: It came upon;

Hark the Herald: O'come all yo faithful: Mossage of Xmas: Christians Awake.

C2074 Drinking Songs

C2151 Songs of Good Cheer

Jack Hylton's Orchestra. .Light Opera Male Chorus.

C2297 Song Momorics of the Past (Organ) ..Sydney Custard.

C2300

Christmas Momorica

C2478

Still Night, Holy Night Agnus Dei

€2485

C2490

Westminster Choir.

Christmas Ovarture (Coleridge-Taylor)

Lane Wilson Memories

Essic Ackland. .Essic Ackland.

Symphony Orchestra. .Symphony Orchestra.

Dream of Christmas (Ketelbey) Ackland

Robertson & Chorus, .Terence Cascy.

New Mayfair Orchestra.

C2703 Fifty Years of Song (Organ) C2716 Ballad Memories (With Vocal Refrain)

C2805

Patar Dawson's Christmas Party..Peter Dawson & Party. DA 768 Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht

O du frohlicho

DA1288 Nazareth and The Rosary DA1289 Jesus Christ is risen to-day.

Christ, the Lord is risen to-day

DB1798 Star of Bethlehem

Holy City

..Offers.

HOME DELIVERY

of the

now

1937

Vauxhalls

If you are going home on leave, this will interest you.

You can arrango now to step 'ashore at home and drive away in a now Vauxhall.

We assist you in this connection

E

Give 'em the

BIRD

VERY now and then

,those who are interest- · ed in the theatre ask

without any trouble or complica; what is wrong with it. tion to yourself. delivered

+

to you at home and subsequently in Hongkong.

Catalogue & Full Particulars from

They receive many answers. One will say that management is ruining it, another that the entertain- ment tax has killed it, a third that the rents of the buildings are crippling it. Somebody will speak of the dearth of amateurs, somebody else of Phone 27778/9, the dearth of good acting.

Hongkong Hotel Garage

Stubbs Rd.

ANNOUNCEMENT.

The Reception arranged for 5 p.m. to-day at 203 The Peak, following upon the marriage of Mr. Alistair Drummond to Miss Leanore Urmston has been postponed until

Wednesday, December 23rd 1 12.30 p.m. In Lane Crawford's Reception Room, (Exchange Building, First Floor).

'to-morrow,

DEATII.

BARLOW-B. D. G. Barlow, of the Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation at Dairen. Acel- dentally killed while out shooting on 20th December.

The

Offers Thongkong Telegraph.

Richard Crooks.

Richard. Crooks.

Richard Crooks.

Richard Crooks. Richard Crooks.

A Party without music is a dull affair,

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1836.

WORLD TRADE OUTLOOK

There is evidence on all hands

S. MOUTRIE & CO., LTD. that Britain is definitely emerg-

York Building

You really must visit our Perfumery Dept. for

your

Chater Road'

ing from the long years of trade depression. It is also shown,

PERSONAL GIFTS

WE HAVE

ELIZABETH ARDEN GIFT SETS, YARDLEY GIFT SETS & LAVENDER, POTTER & MOORE LAVENDER GIFTS, '4711' EAU DE COLOGNE, LAVENDER, TROIKA AND TOSCA, BATH CRYSTALS, BATH CUBES, DUSTING POW- DERS AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST ALL THE FAMOUS PERFUMES THAT MILADY DESIRES.

PERFUMERY DEPT.

LANE, CRAWFORD, LTD.

› STORE OPEN FROM 8.30 a.m. TO 6 p.m. XMAS EVE TO 7. p.m.

so marked as

But nobody ever diagnoses the disease correctly. The theatre has gone to pleces because audiences have no more vitality than blocks of wood.

They are afraid to make an uproar when a play displeases them. Dis- approval is left to a few people with independent minds, who feebly cry "boo" in one or two of the newspapers

when tive criticism is too late to any

have effect.

o'n

rare

ace

Playgoers

are too

polite, says

THIS WRITER

B

IGGEST amateur theatrical season for several years is under way in Hongkong.

Philharmonic have just completed. “Maid of the Mountains" scason, may produce again in the Spring. European Y.M.C.A. Pantomime starts to-day, and A.D.C. is casting about for a new play.

the rapacious faces in the booking office or hear the sales-talk in the upper offices of the building, he would be less inclined to lend the silence of acquiescenco to a fifth- rate piece of work.

It

And mark this. If the audience once began to wake out of its for- por

critics and assert itself, the would have to change their tune. would be no good condoning rubbish after what the French call

auditorium. There would be healthler standard of criticism, and producers would realise that they were no longer dealing with sheep.

KYLESEYA PALANKAN SEBAB MonacoTaman Sri MORA AYTANTaue a brouhahn and a tohubohu in the

was hauled

across

#1

It is the first step that counts.

There is, and a very simple one. bottles, copper coins, fruit and waist Let the audience merely have the coats. It was not thus in Barcelona, the courage to express its anger as loud- where a little black wasp of a gipsy occu- ly us it now expresses its pleasure, woman

the who write these winged words and there will soon rome a change, orchestra-pit and thrown out by the have more than once started a minor It is the dreadful veneer of lower main exit. It was not thuis in brawl by ironical laughter or loud middle-class pollteness that has done Bordeaux ten years ago, when the protest. After a prim silence other the mischief.

audience preferred its own conge to

volees have supported mine. Many, those on the stage, and sang them given a lead, have been glad to use SHALL be told lu a great thundering chorus.

A very merry time a critle would their critical faculties instead of (by fools, it i

have had

altting he stuffed chimpanzees. on those occasions, with true, but I shall be told it) that his dirty talk of courtesy, fair play, heads the idea

you could once get into people's that, having poid a violent expression of boredom toleration, and all the rest of it. I their money, they are

to entllied

I

or disapproval should not be allowed will warrant the poor little beast object to inferior entertainment, the to interfere with the pleasure of would have scuttled off like a rat. theatre would become healthier, those who like the play. To which leaving his stiff shirt behind him. because they would have to take

reply that a violent expression of approval is always allowed to inter- fere with the displeasure of those What of my who detest the play,

notice of a dangerously alert nud!- THE average Eng- ence which will no longer be content lishman, when he to give tacit consent to the fashion- feelings when that ripple of idiotic pays through the nose for a scat able hysteria of a score of people who could, with advantage to all clapping greets vile rhetoric or senti- at a play, has an idea that honest men, be replaced by mechani mental balderdash? It was not thus he is in some way the guest of the cal figures.

in the old days when they had to management; that he is in a large ring down the curtain to protect the private house, and has been honoured wretched performers from dying by an Invitation. Could he but see

J. B. M.

AMATEUR ACTING

You

Similar to

neither yourself nor the character you are trying to act. Every part, no

Words in Season matter how small, must be studied

to the Beginner

By GERARD FAY

Final Article

until the last possible fragment of theatrical meaning has been extracted. from it.

over

The relations between the actor and spectators is the most fascinat- Ing aspect of neting. To feel a power

the audience, an ability to draw its laughter, its tears or Its applause, Is the fullest reward to

actor for his labours. In order to under- stand the reactions of numbers of people, it is essential to understand the reactions of individuals, and the actor must try to be broad-minded and sympathetic to all types of men and sympath

by statistics issued by the Inter-slons when an audience has forgotten! national Labour Office, that the what the crities impudently call good manners, and has expressed its; current year has almost every-disgust with a play, there has ap- YOU can make your hair grey in peared the next day in print some several ways. For men, hair where witnessed improved in- passing reference to the lack of greying at the temples can be sug

decorum of "those in the cheaper gested by use of No. 20, white paint dustrial production as compared seats." Cheaper scals! Ha! Pray, which should be carefully faded out with 1935, but this has not been what did the critics or the dyed and at the edges to give a natural effect. plastered women pay for their sents? For women, or for men who are to in the case of Not a sou.

bo

or aluminium al! over, white grey powder well applied gives

a very Britain. Unemployment is being

THE docile public has natural effect. Don't try to wash The

of powder nut of your hair; use brush, slowly reduced in most countries,

Some people use a dry shampoo but not to the same extent as times that the actors and actresses for greying purposes, and it has the the recovery in industrial output.

dramatic art, both in writing and Greater Internal Industrial pro-

acting.

Surveying the field of comedy from duction is, of course, one thing,

the seventeenth century to the pre- sent day, it is early to see justifica- and world trade another.

tion for this bellef. The definite re-to his audience is that of making him- The first courtesy an actor owes Britain is vitally concerned inable "refinement" of the audience Crease rubbed in all over is the action to comedy gives the actor a self audible, and (with the co-opera- foreign trade, and it is therefore to unload rubbish. For the critics, only way to remove grease paint, strong sense of power

over his who not only pay nothing, but On no account should you attempt

visible Lo the largest which makes his work regrettable that world commerce actually earn money, can be trusted to wash it off, though a wash in hot watchers, and induces a feeling of tion of the producer) making himself

self-confidence to write

of people. An actor cannot expect 20 many broad acres of water after removal, is usefu). as a whole has not yet shown a

vague comment that even their

Some amateurs seem to have dif. much easier. In comedy, 100, speed any sympathy from an audience if

is essential, though the pace can be general tendency to recover. As faint disapproval can be quoted as ficulty in catching the essential dis- a little slower than in farce. In farce, it cannot hear him and see him. At

praise; and the frantic applause of tinction between the various types of

you can generally allow the audience der too much to the audience. The the same time, no actor should pan- it had dropped about one-third, the amateur's friends, 13 enslly acting.

Obviously a very different to laugh just as long as it wants to actor owes both to himself and the technique is required for farce than but in comedy, where the plot is author an ideal of artistic integrity. It has a long climb if ever it is twisted Into a triumph."

Is there a remedy, you cry, ter

that

used for tragedy but one often

often of more importance, to regain its former position. this state of affairs?

sees actors playing both with very audience should be kept well under in order to draw the attention of the the and he must never let the play suffer Hitle contrast. Without question, the policy of

are not to blame for a bad play; advantages of being good for the hair But if the poor actors and and brushing out easily, actresses were met with a storm the alumiinium powder mentioned above is a gold powder which is very of abuse some shows would take useful for giving a glitter to duil hair pains not to produce drivel.

in young parts. Be careful to keep To-day, they rely on the aboming all powder off your clothes,,

It is widespread, and very mis-control so that the sequence of the audience.

play will not be spoilt.

Two points which must be re-

be

possible number

to

national self-sufficiency now en-shall be tackled, and it is widely farce is the easiest

taken bellef among amateurs that There is big temptation to get Money's Worth form of drama. the very last possible laugh out of forced by so many countries is hoped that she will soon be able Without any doubt, it is the most an audience, but it is one that should

difficult. Years of practice and sea-be resisted. A subtle

No play really exists until it has one of the biggest factors in pre- to conclude an agreement with sons of teamwork are required to comedy will never get across if you although the aim of amateur acting point in been presented to an audience, and venting international trade ex- the United States, to the mutual give the necessary polish and slick- don't "point" it. Pause, slowing up, is self-amusement, the amusement of

ness to a company specialising in and, alteration of volume can pansion. The consequence is benefit of both countries. Such force.

all the audience must be considered as be used (together if necessary) to the first duty of all connected with that we cannot hope for any a move would not only be wel-The Speed of Farce

draw attention to a good point. In a play. In most cases, the audience both farce and comedy all the actors puts up the money to enable actors marked growth until there is a come from the viewpoint of the

must be extremely careful of laugh to engage in their favourite pastime, generally-adopted revision of signatories, but it might well membered by amateurs in playing in at the funny lines, for this entire and the least the actor can do is

ly dispels the Musion.

see that the audience geta its money's- economic policy. Something is, serve. as an example to others farce aro particularly noticeable in

the work of experts. The first.

worth. is. As in Everyday Life

any emissions in however, being done by the con- and thus eventually lead to a speed. Nearly every cue must

I am aware of

many. this series, many points dismissed in clusion of trade agreements as worldwide breaking down of the must be spoken as fast as the sense play in which the main appeal lies pages written about them, but I as taken up without pause, and lines A drama might be defined as, a few lines that should have had occasion arises, in which connec- barriers which obstruct the will allow. This is no excuse for in a conflict of human ambitions or sure my readers that this is not a gabbling the words, for with practice, tion the British plan of entering interchange of goods and dis- you can speak at a great speed and plays fall into this category straight eruit of carelessness on my part, or

vot

on underestimation of my sublect's. appear to be using your

ustial

The situations are generally not importance. It is merely an inevita as many countries as possible is and international commerce.

far removed from everyday life, and ble result of trying to compress a undoubtedly proving beneficlal, policy of national self-sufficiency at the characters, not with them. Al- stand, and, therefore, more easily re-

majority of forces tho audience laughs people whom the actor can under-space. The great need of the times cannot produce the desired ro- though the actor may

I hope, at any rate, that what I consider his present. Sincerity and restraint have written has been of assistance need which is dally becoming sults; by its very nature it has impression that he is merely acting character to be portrayed are im- that they will not hesitate to ask for part a huge joke, he must give the along with a careful study of the to some amateur actors, and I trust more evident is the removal of the opposito effect.

A. Saner This rule applies to a great number creation of a part in a straight play doubtful points. It is my ambition

normal and natural manner. portant lines of approach to the more information on any obscura those hampering restrictions economic conceptions are needed, of funny parts, and is the secret of Never make the mistake of saying to play, some small part in the pro- which stop the normal flow of and, when they are followed up

many comedians.

"this character is really myself trans-sent great amateur, theatre movement, Comedy comes second to farce in ferred to the stage," and trying to and I am truly anxious to give any commerce. Britain is particu- by action, the outcome must be difficulty, but far above it in artistic play the part through the medium assistance possible to those who do

content. Many people hold that of your own personality. You will me the compliment of thinking-me i larly anxious that this question of general benefit.

comedy represents the apex of merely achieve something which is capable of it.

into new trade relationships with astrously react bath on nationalhe second point is that in the the characters are mostly ordinary.huge range of matter into a small

A

or