The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1874-08-21
THE CHINESE DRAMA.
Grand Opening OF Il Theatre in San
FraHcisco--A Glimpse at John
Behind the FoOtlixhts.

lSan Francisco Chronicle. june 30.
The Sing Ting Yuen Theatre, built
by company of that name, was
thrown open TO the public on Saturday
night for the first time. About $500 per-
sons were present during the perform
ance, which lasted from half-pnst in
the evening until half-pnst = Sunday
morning. Many Americans, among
whom We're Il few ladies, took advant-
age of the occasion to witness Il Chin
csc play, but none except the Celestial
| visitants stayed until the last scene of
| the prolonged drama was finished. the
costumes were gorgeous beyond des-
cription, and all made especially for use
on the opening night. The stage pre-
sentcd the usual characteristics. There
were the customary perpendicular leg
ends upon tho scene behind, that clos
ed the view, which every one will pres
ume to be wise laws from Confucius un-
til he is told the contrary on very good
authority. The property man kept his
traps on one corner of the stage in sight
of the audience, brought forward arti-
ctcs of dress or furniture when they
were wanted, and restored them to
their nook when thoy were no longer
| needed. When not busy he made tea,
and drank it before everybody-the
play all the While progressing and even
summoned some of his companions from
the audience to imbihc the refreshing
beverage with him in Il convivial way.
Every thing w:,s in the freest and casi-
| est style. The audience smoked and ci-
garttes, and the musician who played
the eNhilarttinG ycc-hin and ciashcd
the dcafening cymbals, inhaled 1nean-
while the delicious fumes of opium
The orchestra was composed, beside
the yce-hin of the tien-Sok the SAM ten
the tong-kOo, and one Or two other
pieces of meloaious strain, whose
names are not known to the average
American. Therep0rter sat in topn1ost
gallery, between a Chinaman who was
nursing his big toe i'll the intervals of
his dramatic rupture and dirty Celcs-
tial who understood enough Mclean to
! explain the general drift and tenor Of
the play.
deviation toward immortality, with
royal wars enough to satisfy tho most
bloody-mindel spectator, and now and
then Il domestic episode in which the
! scandalons element was not lacking.
n husband and wife, for instance, ap-
pearu upon the scene, the former uc-
companicd by two cows represented by
small Chinamcn with beasts heads.
The wife has lofty aspirations and docs
not like her licge lord because of his ue-
votion to agricultural pursuits. Enter
the heavy villain in the guise of an i'll
valid, as Il destroyer OF the felicity of
the hearth-stonc He gets access to the
discontcnted wife, and clopcs with her.
Enter husband with two cows-which
he instructs to live in harmony. and
feed on the green grass, otherwise mat
ting. He falls asleep, and they fight it
out on that line. I+ntcr n vile robbcr
in miserable dress. lie gathers the two
COWS by the horns and is making off
with them, when their owner awatScs
and rcscucs his property. Exit hus-
band. Enter guy scducer with recrc,nt
wife Emaciatcd thief beats the gay
scduccr, and secures the untuitht,ll bag
gage to himself. Rc-cntcr deserted
husband, RECEIVERS his wife, and puts
her to death with uuhcarl-of tortures.
After having expired i'm agony, the
iaithless wife deliberately gets up and
coo!ly walks off the stage. Another
general war, and so on al tibiittnn
The theatre is Il large and convenient
building, erected for the purpose, and
is said to have cost $4,000. The seat
ing is ample, and the means for en-
| trance and exit quite sufficient for the
| wants Of the place. Bcing new and
| clean, it will undoubtedly be visited
| by many strangers.
CHECK OF ONLY 100000.