The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-08-20
ANUsEMENTs.
Powers New Chinese Play.


CAST.
Ley sing slave sirl..---; May 10y B9eAlsg
CAe Pow. a nurse --.--s..--. h1tL3e Ess4lE30AG
Chan Lee, vile Of Chan Wang; 49,, =,
~s-.-.-.--- s.-----s-s-.-- Ger tfssas Lfst@~
DR.. Pow Len. a physician. :. Hugo TolAnd
Man Low Nek. merchant q the Sasn
Yap Tong .---..--.---. Charles By s-s,. AZ
Hop HOP Kes. pipe bowl nender......-...
..-.....-.- ....----..---.-. J. n kse.sILlllo
Cann Woe ..-.-....-----.--... Harry So 49,,
hws he -; -, 80 w = ~ r1
Duck Lea in spite OF the Geary law
....-+- ....-..--+-...-... George Ellierion
Sum CHOW. an employs OF Man Low
Jewish Peddier ........... Howard wan
Chan Toy. the First Born az Chsa
Wang ........ ...-..-.....-.. .Baby Nenie
Way Get. guide ......Jo$sph silSers-one
Mr. George osbourne, Miss Mi wells.
Arthur wilson.
Mr.. Francis Powers added distinct novel
ties 70 the literature and possibilities q tne
stage when he wrote the two-scene Chi
nese drama, THE First Bern which has
earned deserved popularity IN San Fran
cisco. where Il vas first produced, and
which has attracted such favorable con-
ment that X Is now or its way East fer a
metropolitan engagement 1t Is strange
that those IN search OF theatrical ideas
have not before settled upon plot that
should show the lives and express the
thoughts OF that strange race OF which,
after all. SO little Is known. Perhaps, Il IS
due 10 the fact that the Chinaman Is such
an insignificant part OF the population OF
most cities that the venture would not be
a prosperous one from the ordinarily as
sun1ed managerial standpoint. but IN Mr.
Powers play there are those elements Of
humanity that make the whole world kin
even 10 the assumption OF a universal feel
a II.
10 attach 10 the newer civilization and
in this fact lies the success that has thus
far stamped neritoFioUs work.
The greatest blundar that Mr.. Powers
made was the introduction OF any per-
sonality other than that which fitted into
the surroundings OF the Chinese quarter
OF San Francisco, and the sooner the char
acteF OF the peddler is eliminated ths bet
ter il viii be for The First Born" The
peddler Is unnatural. inharmonious and
utterly united TO participate IN the dig
nifty which * is possible TO believe Il an
accompaniment 70 the communication OF
the members Of the colony. The tourists
are natural enough in the scene where they
appear.
The central Idea in Mr.. Powers story
Is that Of a welI-to-dO ChinaE&n whose
wife has left him and their child She
steals the boy. and in later attempt at
recovery by the father the boy is killed.
There is love. jealousy. hatred and re-
venge blended in the lives OF the many
well-played characters, and a reniarkabsy
clear insight Is given TO the feuds and
vendettas by which the world knows the
Chinaman best.
Miss May Buckley, as the slave girl,
gave a beautiful Interpretation OF q part
fun OF delicate shading, and Mr.. George
Osbourne was effective as Chan Wang.
Mr.. Hugo roland and Charles Bryant as
Dr. Pow Len and Man Low Yek. gave
adequate Interpretation 10 their parts, and
Mr.. ]. H Benrimo. as the pipe mender,
| was one OF the most important people IN
the cast The settings were good and the
musical accompaniment was fud OF me
atmosphere OF the Chinese quarter. Lost
/ for a Day" 3 three-act comedy, preceded
/ the more interesting part OF the bill The
| engagement Of The First Born" viii con-
| cIuds tomorrow night.