The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-05-26

LAST NIGHT THE PUNG Hook ToNG--We were present
last evening at the benefit of Lkeoon manager of the
Chinese troupe and do not think it likely shall readily
forget the performance We were in fact agreeably
cupied in perusing o play BILL conceived in the highest
style Of and which promised US, among other luxu
res, "the gorgeous magnifcence OF Oriental splendor
when the curtain and the gorgeous magna snce
burst upon naked eye with cruel abruptness There
was of das throne 10 the Of the stage
rounded by steps, and covered with carpets Over the
throne hung suspended shield which may have been
that of the god Khan, and the edges of the steps
stood several chairs. On one side we distinctly
perceived the swarthy fa:e Of the leader of
the orchestra-about as fine specimen Of a wooden
phiz well be pictured. The music began. The
author Of the bill calls it unique" and we'll he may
We have hesitation in ascribDg the sounds it emitted
to the combined melody Of old bngpipe, saucepan.
couple Of chop sticks and cat severely afflicted with bron
chitis Solos performed various occasions during
the evening by the saucepan with what skill those who
familiar with the of the instrument win be best
able to judge The general e1ec-n readers
unable to realize the combinations above suggested
may be described not unlike the harmonious sounds
which issue from the door of tnsmith in small way
of business To be BRIEF however, this orchestra having
executed vigorous overture eight individuals to wit
five males and three females, attired in style of
"Orental magnAcence' made their Appearance the
stage. The long tufts of horse hair tied
clumsy their chin. On consulting the bill
found that they intended to personate Genii-a
fact which rather disappointed us, from their express
sion of should hardly have credited them to the
realms Of the blessed Some ten minutes devoted
to stroksg the said tufts strutting the STAGE aud
waggng their heads at each other These esolutions
perhaps peculiar to gen accompanied by cries from
the performers uttered in the shrill fsetto tones In
which Chinese actors generally speak and the bagppe
having obviously senced the saucepan payed appro
pirate accompaniment.
The coronation of an emperor, with immense ceremo
NAL followed next Our old friends the geni figured
warriors and prvy councillors and the whole available
force of the troupe exalted to the dignity of manda
rims. Some FIVE six represented five states, and
could help wondering that ambassadors of exalted
rank should enter the palace chamber with skip and
jump chucking their left leg in the air and administer
ing slight castigation with switch. The monarch
eject followed by four madens curousy ACQUIRED
In 'front.' at the height of the episastu whereabouts,
an imitation Of horses head shoulders protruded
from their Clothes and behind, at corresponding eIe
walton, his hind quarters We at under
that the ladies horseback and though
animals lacked trifing sppurtenauces, such for
instance legs submitted to the pleasing delusion
with good grace. Strings and pns however; are out
fragile in the midst at brilliant curveting the hind
quarters of gallant gray gave way and fell to the
ground In the like case, the veracious Baron Munchau
pursued his route fearlessy and only discovered the
accident that had beiaep his when he found his
thirst unquenchable The fair Chinese remained in
similar state Of happy ignorance Of her ishap. The
forequartes OF her parey continued TO curvet with
feeling indifference. while the worser half Of the animal
being ruthessly trodden under foot The accident
at length discovered, the reDeious tail and hind legs
cooy picked up and resoldered to the adys back
and the performance continued with great ecst. few
ELL '' '''' ~ ''' VIC WI 'A''
In part Ill, the "Heaveny Lady," or in other words,
plain painted Chinese girl appeare, with doll about
the Size Of stout lead pencil which she presents her
husband the lmperial Scholar" The size Of the gift
does appear to lessen value in the mothers
unlike the fra fair, who pleaded in mg alton Of her
fault, that was such wee baby, the heavenly lady
exhausts herself in caresses Nor does the papa lack
jerks him into horizontal postion-a piece Of barbaty
which The natural rigidity of the infants frame can
minutes plaintve sounds, which ingenious friend of
supposes to have been song. heard to issue
from the female performers-the saucepan has
asserted its rights, and the curtain again falls.
OF the final performance 1t would be hopeless to az
tempt description. The bill calls 1t military
cises and is just likely to have been something Of
the kind any thing else we think Of The aim Of
the actors reemed to be to rush the stage from the
left twill round rapidly raise leg in the air. strike
their switches together and disappear the right TO
resppear and repeat the performance after few
moments breathing time We gazed in mute wonder, ask
and # So whether masacs, rational men and
The only thing that not absurdy childish and rdicu
ous, was the gymnasiic performance of young lady
who threw somersaults, kicked men under the chin,
jumped over table, and fell TO the ground in such
manner to excite lively apprehensons in mind
relative TO the integrity Of her coccygis During the
whole Of this folly the saucepan kept up
din having obviously beaten the bagpipe from the field
and even reduced the invalid cat to moody silence.
On the whole the Chinese troupe will not be regretted
know that though the stage is very backward among
the ceesta and recent travellers DENY that permanent
the,ues exist in the country Chinese actors excel in
pantomime and not necessarily such objects of
sheer pity the performers witnessed last evening
Say, Williams and the authors Of the Repository speak
lightly Of Chinese drama, and its interpreters Com
pairing their statements with the performance Of
1ikeoon's troupe compelled to believe that the
latter would hold the same rank in China travelling
circus holds In New York.
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