The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-05
In a Chinese Theatar.

Little Fairy's brother used, at this
time, TO make frequent trips to Shanhai
on business errands, and on one of these
short but, to n young giil, very exciting
voyages he took Little Fairy to cook his
rice and make his bed and sing for him.
Arrived In the foreign or treaty port of
Shanghai, he consulted the playbills OF
the thesters, and took her to ons at which
1t happened that serious ana pro- or play
was TO be performed; for there are many
Chinese stage to which only outcast
women are taken by the men. The play
which Little Fairy went to see was his
torical piece celebrating the heroic nd-
ventures Of an Amazon WARRIOR during
the dynasty OF the Mings. Being little
footed, she went to the theater in a Sedan
chair, and was very much surprised to see
that the broad deep hall of entrance to
the playhouse-the hall itself being big
enough to hold three large dwellings in
q row--was all but chosed with other
chairs, abandoned by their bearers and
packed close together after their passen-
gers had gone into the playhouse. The
grimed barn OF place, having one large
open floor and gallery around three
sides or the walls. Both pit and gallery
were set with chairs ana tables, at which
men were smoking, drinking tea and eat
ing roasted melon seeds. From the sale
of tea and tobacco the proprietors made
their expense and profits, for nothing was
charged for admission. As soon as the
brother and sister sat down a coolie
brought two great coarse china cups with
q pinch OF tea in the bottom and a saucer
on top OF each. He presently came again
with q great kettle OF shining white
metal, and pouring hot water In each
that the aroma might not pass away, for
both In eating and drinking the Chinese
highly value the aroma OF what they put
In their mouths. Ali through the even
ing this and other coolies kept hlling the
myriad teacups with hot water, without
ever replenishing them with tea leaves.
And now and then they brought trays OF
scalding hot napkins. so that each per-
son could wipe his face and HANDS with
these refreshing towels.
There were few gaslights in the body
of the theater, but the stage was ablazo
with the light OF many jets hung over
head in chandelier, Instead OF under
foot, as in our theaters. The stage was
large platform projected far out into the
pit. II had no scenery at side or back,
but against the wall at the far end sat
the musicians, forever playing, and not
without admirable method, sincc the
different characters In the drama were al
ways bera, ded and accompanied by music
reserved for each, and, moreover, the sc-
tion of the play was very often interpret
ed by the music. 10 listen once 10 such a
band was TO hear only din and confusion;
to hear II many times was TO lnd II more
and more pleasing. =.
The part OF the heroic Amazon and OF
each woman in the piece was played by a
man, but with such excellent art that
Little Fairy could scarce believe ber own
knowledge that no wonsn may perform
In the theaters. BY means OF blocks OF
wood under their heels they mimicked
the swaying gait OF aristocrstic ladies;
play was In the mandarin language, W hich
Little Fairy could not understand. but It