The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1874-01-29
Chinese Theatres.

! That portion of San Francisco which
is principally inhabited by the celestials,
and is known everywhere as the "Chinese
Quarter" contains two theatres, upon the
curtainless stages Of which are produced
the most thrilling of Tartarian tragedies,
the most ear piercing operas, the lightest
Of light comedies, and the most farcial Of
burlesqucs (upon historical representa-
tioD), the majority of which is obscene in
extreme, aud although the words are un-
Ineligible, the pantomime would not be
tolerated on the stages of any theatres in
the civilized quarters of the g'obe fire.
quented by the refined. The principal
theatre is owned by company known as
the Hong Ting Yuen, and here is pro-
duced what may be termed the legiti-
mate Mongolian drama The great barn
like interior is crowded from pit to dome
every night, from early twilight until the
still hours of morning, and the Caucasion
passing through jackson street at two A.
NJ. is often startled by the uuearthly
noises, having some Of the force and hor
ror OF the orchestra supposed to exist in
Pandemouium
The body of the theatre is filled with
long wooden benches, and those who seat
themselves thereon pay fifty cents for the
privilege. Private boxes line the upper
portion of the side and rear walls, which
are black with the smoke of thousands Of
cigars and the concentrated essence Of
carbon generally, which will cling to the
rafters and ceiling until the building has
ceased to exist, for the Chinese, with
their usual axity in regard to the attri
butte SO neighborly to godliness, would as
soon think Of erecting new theatre as
of cleansing the interior of the old one
The stage is very broad and deep, ex-
tending the entire width of the building,
and displaying all the phenalia of the
celestial histrionic art, from the throne of
an emperor or tycoon to the fan of the
lady of fashion who walks upon her toes
while screechipg forth her part
The machinery is very primitive, the
scenery being shifted ia full view of the
audience by the supes, who simply move
a table and place requisite number of
after the actors in late scene have dis
appeared behind calico curtain, right
centre. Having completed their adorn
ment, the characters appear by the left
centre through another calico covered
aperature and the play goes on. Aside
from the novelty of the performance the
dresses worn by the actors are well worth
seeing. They are extremely magnificent
aud worth thousands of dollars being
made of the finest and heaviest silks that
China produces, while magnificent ostrich
feathers form plumes that might grace
the helmet of the most magnificent mon
archs that ever held review. 1t is to
be expected that many of the plays pro
duced at this house nj ght excite the au
diences frequently, which excitement
would be likely to burst forth in execra
ton and wind up with dire destruction !;
and to prevent this the company have
employed an officer, who sits at the door
watching every movement of the willy
audience, ready at any moment to eject
the turbulent or quell the rising anger
of the occupants of the pit or parquette.
The second theatre is situated on the
east side of Washington place, but is
not always in operation. 1t is second
class concern, and travelling troupes,
occasionally tread these boards. The
day may come when Hong Ting Yuen
may form ''sde head" under the title
of "Amusements" in the daily press, fol
lowed by critique of such plays as
"The Flying Dragon. or The Flag of the
Tartars;" but that DAY is at present
few centuries down the dim vista of
futurity Morning Call