The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1884-10-06
the CHINESE THEATRE.

quite lull in amusement circles, so
the other night for q change the
BULLETIN reporter went to hear
grand opera at the Imperial Chinese
Theatre. Arriving at the entrance
a group of mournful Celestials were
found collected round the door,
awaiting possible pass-out checks.
Two oflicious-looking gentlemen with
clean shaved heads, and spotless
white coats, stood at the door col
lecting the two-bit paste-boards. AT
one side of the door was little
opening where stood the money
takcr. Commencing to walk in one
of the gentlemen at the door said,
Tickets, John. We remarked that
we belonged to the press. The Press,
says John, me no sabee, you no
redee topee man. Producing a copy
of that afternoons BULLETIN, John at
once said, All! me sabee now, velly
goodee paper, solly me got no
stockee. Walking in after this slight
interruption, it was found the house
had full audience. 1t had kind
of ioss-stick, opium, tobacco and
fshy smell, so much so, that we
regretted not having bottle of
Ricksecker's perfume, sold by Ben
son, Smith & Co. a row Of Celes-
tials stood in front of the stage with
their hats on, and appeared to be
resting their noses on the boards
All the auditors wore their hats, and
about one-half were smoking cigar
cites. Gaining a seat, hard one,
certainly, found us sitting next to II
Celestial who passed the soup round
| the last time we were out to dinner.
Hello, johnny, said he, velly gladee
see you. We bowed and thanked
him. On either side of the gallery
near the stage, are the private boxes
for ladies, q few being there busily
tanning themselves. In one box we
thought we spied Iona, but, later on,
| found it was Chinese school
teacher. The stage is small and has
no footlights, the illuminations pro-
cceding from three large tea-kettles
with oil and wicks suspended above
the stage, no curtain, scenery, flies,
wings, proscenium, or even proper
ties other than table, two chairs,
fans and few weapons. On either
side are two curtained doorways
used as exits and entrances. At the
back Of the stage is kind of recess,
used by the orchestra, consisting of
dismal fiddle (not a Princess), a
flageolct, tambourine beaten by light
drumsticks and dinner gong. The
Celestial who engineered the gong
leaned back, smoked cigarettes and
appeared to be the Herr Berger of
this most harmonious collection of
instruments. The play had COM
menced, that is, for the evening, as
it had been on from to | O'Clock
for the last six months, and will
probably be finished about the time
that Claus Spreckels is made King
of these Islands. Chinese drama is
given in sections as everyone knows.
The one who plays the leading female
part is the best paid, he talks in
falsetto and sings in high, yes, very
high soprano, with an effort that
must make his throat as raw as one
Of Waller's beefsteaks. What there
is to the play foreigner can not see,
certainly it becomes very wearisome.
OF all the screaming, twanging and
footing that mortal was ever in
flicted with, this display was the
most vociferous. The orchestra
never let up from the time the circus
began. For five minutes at time
there was the liveliest kind of &
tenement-house caucus, all the par.
Elephants shrieking and waving fans
and then filing out by the side en-.
frances, only to make their welcome
appearance again in half minute
and go through the business again,
We are willing to wager Peruvian
quarter that on n still night, the
noise could be heard at Mookai
Thus did the BULLETIN reporter
enjoy himself for over an hour. Ii