New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-02
TO PRODUCE THE CHINESE DRAMA.

EDITOR WONG CHIN FOO THINKING OF ADAPTING
CHINESE PLAYS TO THE AMERICAN STAGE.
Wong Chin Foo the Chinese editor, seated
in his Chahamst sanctum, nbbed fragrant watermelon
seed and between the writing Of editorial paragraphs
evolved vast projects for the greater civilization OF his
American fellow-citizens.
"There are only two races in the world' said Wong
Chin Foo" tho Chinese and the English; they are the
people of the future My whole fife Is devoted TO
them. care not for money! work for the future.
was a Chnansn but cannot return to China have
cut of my hair and am become an American cilzen'
Now" exclaimed he, starting to his feet, have nm
idea that will help each people to understand the oher
will ablsh the Chinese theatre In the united Sa'os
for the of the Chinese drama, the Oldest In
the world going back to the first stages OF reooraed
history"
what will you give the public" asked the reporter
tragedy or comedy T.
"That the question:, sal the editor with puzzled
look everything is directly reversed In English from
what It is in Chinese. II produce a choice chinese
comedy before an American audience they VIII not so
much as SMILE They will take everything In dead earn
es, But put one Of the old Chinese tragedies on
the stage then the people will laugh fit to burst of all
their buttons That is what confses and makes the
start 80 difficult"
"wi you secure your company in New-YorkF
oh no. indeed. There arc Chinese actors in New
York; can get most OF them in San Francisco, how
bit some Will nave W pIihS o'"i h""' S"''
The costumes will have he elaborate silk and satin OF
brilliant colors ornnnented with gold and they are ex-
tremely cxpensiye; the scenery and settings;
while the best actors charge very high for their services
and they will not unless. certain friends are
brought with them. waEt 10 organize company OF
seventy five people with good Chinese orchestra fuiy
supplied with instruments. will have them give per-
fermances In Aew-York Boston and Philadelphia ana
then make tour through the States. have talked
with number of theatrical about my plan nd they
consider It feasible and likely to pay well II is carried
out in the right way. shall try to see what can DO
about it during the next few weeks"
Wong Chin Foo explained his plans further and more
explioltly with unbounded enthusiasm. The theatrical
profession though not In good reputc in the Chinese En-
pre Is well patronzed he says by the royal family and
the puic and many of the attain wide repna
tion AT a Chinese theatre there are usually hhli
dozen plays given In evening. one following anotnc
without an interval the curtain not falling unt the Gnu
n the performance Mr. FOos purpose Is IN adapt sew
eral oil the bcstknoWD Chinese plays Tor presentation
In the proposed theatre In the domestic plays nlia
piety IA always favoriie theme and the melodrama OF
China possesses abundant material for reproduction In
one OF the PLAYS the hero Il butler ana the nnae Is
reached when the butler IN frozen TO death. But tue
great dramatiSt Of the Chinee-their Shakespeare-s
Gang Ming who lived about the time or christ anu
wrote series historic dramas descriptive OF the Iog
Dynasty and its vicssituics TINS series Is knowh mr
Zoo SAYS as Fantung, the Royal slave" The story
begins with Celestial prince VINO mas bccn uethroneu
and who sells himself into slavery to escape DEATH after
many adventure. he regains his Kingdom. Inc series
end with Empress MoU-Chi- lieu, NhO rucd ''Lha
forty wears In a state OF great RIGHTEOUSNESS Mr. Zoo
has lately been engaged In the translation OF
these dramas for wc-known theatrical manager VINO
desires TO use them on the American Stage.