1937-12-09 — Page 6

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPHI, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1987.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1937.

DIFFICULT DECISIONS

Whether China fights or sur-į reuders, her future is not exactly bright. She is faced ..Jay Wilbur's Orch. with unpleasant, choices of con-

9109-In a little French Casino....Primo Scala Accordian Band.

Will you remember ("Maytimo").

9110-The Morry-Go-Round broke down

Where are you?

9112-Molodics of the Month. No. 6

9128-Moon at Sea-Fox Trot

Let us ba sweethearts over again.

9132-When the Harvest Moon is Shining

In an Old Cathedral Town.

........Len Green. Billy Cotton's Orch.

Joe Peterson,

duct. For the moment the deci- sion rests with Marshal Chiang Kai-shek, but the responsibility may change hands, if rumours from the North mean anything.

war.

Primo Scala Accordian Band. Whether Marshal Chiang goes or stays, may make no difference to the issue of peace or There are still men of spirit in the Central Government, but it is certain that the retirement of the Generalissimo would make the prospect of successful peace negotiations considerably brighter. It is very likely that any terms which Japan muy offer will include the demand for the Marshal's resignation, and compliance in this one thing would possibly gain China a better bargain in surrender.

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Unpleasant-as-it-is, surrender is the only word applicable. Poace will be on Japan's terms. They are bound to be severe. Will China accept them?

2

Garage-Hand by Day.. STAR by

NIGHT

By John Bourne

D

actress.

Playwright, producer, adjudicator, and editor of "The Amateur Theatre.”

URING the day, John Smith is a miner; in the evening he is an actor. John Smith's daughter is a school teacher; but also sho là an

John Smith has a brother who eats a miner but is now unemployed-that is, during the day.

At night he, too, "walks the boards.” Even John Smith's wife is a costumior.

And picture is no exaggeration. In all parts of England au soris and conditions of people, sometimes whole familles, ure turning to the stage. The amateur scason has begun.

The amateur actor of 1037 is entirely different from the happy-go-lucky player of 1000.

Then, the amateurs, enjoling their friends and fond relatives into buying tickets for their shows, were. mainly copyists of the professional atage, having fun at other people's expense, and doing it largely as a social or Society function.

Now, large numbers of them are genuine students of drama striy- ing to keep flesh and blood acting alive in places where there are no theatres and whore, but for their cfforts, plays would never be seen.

By reason of hard work at drama schools and the introduction of the producer, amateur acting haa greatly improved. It is much more of a communal effort in which people of all classes gather to- Bother to experiment with original plays or to produce established successes.

SHAW

and Priestley are high in the list of favourite dramatists, and among the works of other authors that will be widely. acted during the coming season are Spring Tide, Pride and Prejudice, Call It A Day. Distinguished Gathering, The Unguarded Hour, Love From A Stranger, and Night Must Fall,

The latest play to be released is Love On The Dolo. Ronald Gow dramatised it from the novel by Walter Greenwood, who was on tho" dolo when he wrote it, and, in Mr. Gow's own words, shiv- ered in a Salford attle during the hard winter of 1932,"

Amateur-actors-abound.

theatres or cinemas to littlo village groups performing in old army huts of schoolrooms,

Children, too, now act in large numbers occasionally as part of There their school curriculum. has lately arisen a "Theatre of Youth," with Dame Sybil Thorn- dike na president.

The movement is certainly in- tense especially QEDONA the smaller groups. These, anxious to be independent, are struggling to possess their own headquarters.

Already some atrange buildings have been transformed into "little theatres "a barn. a laundry, an old garage, a disused railway station, a cellar, a chápel, a cow- shed.

In them stages have been built, with great economy, and every- thing from the scenery to the scats-has been made or “picked up cheap."

ON

the other hand. amateurs with rather more re- sources have set up comfortable

No-and-fully-equipped-theatres-of-

census has ever been taken of them, but at the lowest estimate there exist no fewer than 20,000 dramatic societies,

They

range from the big operatic societies performing for a week at 3 Lime in full-sized

their own, notably at Dundee, Altrincham and Bouthport.

The Southport Little Theatre. opened recently, has cast nearly £15,000, and seats 400,

Unemployed groups are numer

One such toured the dis-

oug.

treased Greas in Wales and the North, using an

old lorry (given them by a bene- factor) as a stage and sleeping

out.

Others meet regularly in the Unemployed Workers' Centres. frequently to act improvised plays or works of their own writing.

The National Council of Social Service has several drama ndvisers whose time is chiefly taken up with visiting unemployed centres and acting as producers. A workless

group recently built their own stage from old railway sleepers and used blankets from their own beds as a curtain

background.

On the Left, the Unity Theatre Club has inaugurated a theatre movement, frankly propagandist. which already has close contact with 150 similar groups in various parts of the country.

The International Pax Players' Association, with a Scottish of- shoot, is designed to develop the peace-play-and-has-already- organised a peace - propaganda festival.

All-women societies have grown rapidly during the last few years, sometimes coming into open com- petition at the drāma festivals and gʻining awards, Playwrichts have,

Auld Donal', The Cabby

advent of the motor cat, a certain come such a popular character that

to Jet

A typical situa- (ion for 白霜 amateur actor aller work ta his parage ho becomes Cap- toin Arthur Donegall in "Florodora."*

It

indeed. found profitable to Lurn their attention to the all-women play, both one-act and full-length.

Sometimes there are, incongruitles, especially when women' attempt male characterisa- tion. Not long ago ад all-women society seriously debated whether It should attempt Journey's End! The fact remains, however, that all-women have played Antony and Cleopatra, Hamict, Julius Caesar, Henry the. Fourth and Romeo and Juliet. While most Women's Institutos profer to keep their casts entirely to their members, some do not dis dain the help of men.

casts

Dramatic festivals, are growing in popularity. That organised on a national scale by the British Drama League is the biggest, with about 700 entries per annum.

One-act playa only are per- formed in this festival, and by a

of elimination process

Avo "teams" from fivo different parts

of Great Britain are chosen to play in a Anal, generally held at the Old Vic.

-Ar

Tthe final early this year a company entirely composed of miners came from Scotland and was placed second for its por formance of Jon Corrio's Hewers of Coal

There is a move this season to. transfer this Final to Glasgow during the time of the Empire Exhibition.

of

The three chief organisations advising all this activity are the British Drama Lenguo, the Scottish Community Drama Association and the National Operatic and Dramatic Association. The movos. !! ment also has its own magazino. "The Amateur Theatre and Play-

wrights' Journal

The situation forbids predic- tions. If the war is to continue it is probable that Japan will make a formal declaration of

Independent festivals, usually hostilities, declare the Central on her side, there will be no

held for a week at a time, ore Government outlawed and pro- possibility of the invaded areas

locally organised in certain cen- ceed to set up a puppet regime returning to Chinese adminis-

tres, sometimes with the support the Corporation. Both one-act at Nanking just as has been tration. They may be lost to

and full-length plays are per- done in Manchukuo and, on a China in any event, of course, smaller scale, in Shanghai. The but there is a chance that much surely days before the journeys. but the old cabby had be- formed.

Among the towns and cities next development would prob- of the land now occupied coula top-hatted worthy known as Auld travellers were willing to forgo com- regularly running such events are ably be the occupation of sea- be regained under

Buxton, a peace Donal' acted as charioteer for many fort for the sake of having his en-

Blackpool. Dancaster, travellers.

livening company.

Scarborough, Morecambe, Harro- ports, Canton included. This treaty. Then there is the ques- would entail

He occupied the best stance near tion of China's economic posi- the stallon, by fair struggle,

So fond of his horse was the old gate, Hudderheid, Skipton and enormous expenditure of mention. How long can the country and plied a very successful trade, would rather get drenched to the skin

or foul, cabby that in stormy weather he Welwyn Garden City.

Wales is strong in drams weeks. and money, and a scattering of buy arms to resist if Japan chiedy because of his "gift o' the gab" himself than fet Tam Tirl suffer. In one case the local cinema was Japan's resources over a

Would and his determination never her seaports?

bought out for six days so that vast hoids

potential customer elude him

Often he would take off his old top-stage plays could take the place front. It is inevitable that the Russia finance her campaign?

His white side-whiskers contrasted coat to put on the horse's back; and a of films. const cities would be doomed. Are foreign powers prepared to strikingly with his fiery face and he rival cabby was once heard to remark The Japanese Navy is in a posi- extend unlimited credit when wore a tight-fitting tail-coat, almost to him, “It's a wunner yo dinna leave tion to shell them almost at will the prospect of repayment is green with age, Auld Donal' himself that beast of yours at hame an draw and could thus subdue resist- very uncertain? It seems that was weighed down with years and the cab yersel'."

"sair trouchled wi the rheumaties,” ance. With the

Auld Donal' made short shrift of his coast-line the answer must be negative in

but he never lost his zeal for hla patrolled the pressure which every case. What will China trade, and

and vowed that ho

would rivals. The more up-to-date their Japan could apply would be gain by continuing the war? rather die in his cab than in his bed. Carriages and the fresher their horses.

the greater his corn the

As he walled His ramshackle equipage bore enormous and lier hand would Self-respect and the admiration, be greatly strengthened when or perhaps pity, of other nations same evidence of having seen better for a fare, he would voice his dis- rey Rust loud enough for the whole street days, and Tam Tiri, his old grey it came to negotiating peace. are difficult things to value. She horse, seemed to be suffering from to hear. But even the complete severance may, it is true, win more than the same disease as its master. Yet of China's communications by moral support from some other vallantly hobbled along, and wan

On the subject of tips the old |

nobody can foretell. But there is sea would not mean the defeat power or group of powers if she always certain to reach its destination

some time or another. of that country. The back door continues to fight, but it must Between the fares Auld Donal cabby held some strange opinions, no doubt that amateur acting tom mixing" is essential to success. would still be open and aid, even be said that that hope is a small would sit on the box, idly Dourishing He would take none for himself, and, day is a great class lovelier, since It is also a valuable corrective to If it takes the form of nothing one,

Alone she cannot hope to the whip that he would never dream indeed, waxed very indignant at the

the routine life so many people Ltd. more Hubstantial than munt defeat Japan in the field. Her of using on. Tam Titl, and smoking idea. But he was always careful to an antiquated cutty pipe, But his add, "Gin ye like to throw in a snx- tions and aircraft, would be one chance of victory is thut keen eyes were ever en the look-out pence for Tam Tirl. 11 no see it lead in factories, mines, shops and Apart from the fun of it and the available from Russia. So the Japan will exhaust herself and for customers, and once he had spied gaun past him. But, mind yo, it's offices.

no', for masel' 1' gl'e him an atxtra situation is not hopeless from call a halt to her campaign, a likely fore, he would crack his helpin' o corn the nicht for a treat: "service it rendors in keeping drama Noo, then, Tam Tiri, nod your held | alive, it has its paychological use the point of view of the Chinese eventually withdrawing from whip to attract attention.

to the gentleman."

in making maids into mistresses, who wish to continuo the Chincão noll.

clerks into kings and miners into struggle.

It is theso possibilities which

Who berested in the long run it "Cab, sir, cab?" was his cry. "Hero

directors—if only for a night. Marshal Chiang and his col-ye aret Tam Tirl an' me are ready was dimcult to tell, but Auld Donal But argument for peace la

to tak ye anywhere ye want-frae] was reckoned by the other cabbies: moment, it can be guessed. The like. Juist step inbye an' say the dilapidated appearance. He never much fear of contradiction that decision they will reach within word. There's no a mair shaire-fitted retired to enjoy his wealth, however, in a matter of months Japan the next few days will affect beast on the roads than Tam Tirl, but was often heard in remark thei will have gone far enough in China's whole destiny, and pos. See at him cockin' his lugs! Step "As land as Tam Tirl con tak the

Inbye, air, or he'll be rare affrontit. bor campaign against China tosibly the entire future of Asia That's rich! In wi' yel Haud tehti raad ge'll find me on the box. commence to consolidate herself At the moment it seems that Non we're aff!"

Fortunately for the old cabby's of travelling for the privilege of a in conquered territory. As long China must be prepared to lose The bumpiness of the roads in those pride, his day was done before the bumpy Journey in bis old cab and the as there is a Chinese army ro Marshal Chiang, or Marahal days, combined with the sad state of motor car arrived to oust him from pleasure of hearing again the pawky

the springs In Auld Donal's quipage, his place. But there were many who remarks he addressed to Tam Titl sisting her and the advantago is Chiang may loso China.

accounted Ior many hazardqus į Would have given up the swifter mods

Lavinia Derwent,

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WHERE it is all leading

·To-day's Thought" HEAVEN ne'er helps the man

who will not act.

-SOPHOCLES.