The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-03
IN A MANILA PLAY HOUSE
A GLIMPSE OF THE DRAMA IN THBo
PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Pine theatre; and though the others present en-
joyed II in different way.l warrant none Of them
| enjoyed II more heartily than did
II Ia conducted in a largo nipA building that
stands beside our road into the city Cervantes
| street Passing In NJ the gate, an Enclosure was
found where were booths at which disposed fog
sale were bottles Of pop and Of 80 called Lemonade
Gig aretes sweets Of various knds-or, az they arc
called in Spanish dulces that word including all
| forms Of sweets candies, desserts and the like
The performance was announced at 4:3o. but
was carly, a half hour was spent in looking
about engaging in good natured chat and chat
with all the waiting men, women and children.
But should say all children, for such they arc,
no matter what their age. One old follow wore red
brooches, and believe firmly he belongs TO Gen.
Pho del Pillars famous Twelfth regiment that We
were chasing last week, yet he childahly
happy that bore him no grudge for shooting AZ
me. There were bellies and beaux and the boaux
presented the bellies with necklaces of tubcroses
and rose geranium leaves skillfully strung on
thread and making pretty band: but when they
were all assembled inside, the odor of the flowers
was too much like funeral to be cheerful Tho
womon's clothes were Immaculate, starched stiH
and looking fresh and neat possible; their
mock handkerchief their pride. and are Dor
dered with lace, said in many to be very
valuable. One girl whom ] noticed seemed got
up specially for the occasion and was quite con-
scious She had on long black stockings and
was the only one saw who bore that distinction
all the others scufing around in their woo1cn-
soed slippers suspended by the band across their
bare toes This particular girl showed by her
manner she knew she was pretty and she was
in spite Of having induged in the Spanish custom
Of putting powder her face, but she was not shy
and II i had been able to speak Tagalo AM suro
could have fed her on dulces at the lunch counter
all afternoon. might even have made IL with
Spanish but didn't
The band a regular Filipino band played in
an open nipa building outside the theatre, and
everybody walked about and chatted in the most
good natured way possible. They were as happy
rs children and laughed and talked 10 me. a1i
some things understood and some didn't but il
made no difference. The band on my appearances
played Marching Through Georgia" and Rally
Round the Flag. Boys" and all smiled and looked
at me- and 1t was so good natured forgot TO no
embarrassed by so much attention. A little inter-
rupton occurred while the Rally Round the Flag
was going on, for there some game cocks
picketed nearby, and one pulled his picket in and
Immediately there was fight which adjourned
the band and caused everybody to rush. excited.
TO the spot But the owner shortly appeared and
stopped the fun, so went back and rallied
round the flag some more and ate dulccs and
drank pop and chatted until the Changing OF tho
bell inside warned us OF the approaching pr
Torrance.
The play bill at the door announced The Mar
tyr Husband" in which "El pastor Leopoldo" and
La pastora Leogarda" performed; last week IL
was THE Crime OF Love-" and possibly this was
the sequel
My ticket had cost so cents (Mexican) and en-
titled me to an orchestra seat, but got preferable
position In a small box situated at the rear of the
middle aisle, raised about six inches above tho
aisle and surrounded by railing draped with
blue cotton stuff There were three seats in tho
box, and some pretty girls in group near mo
were having a lively time ggging attracting
my attention so thnt saw had something to do
with II, but could not tell what until one OF them
evidently on a wager. came over and sat in my
box. She was eating a roasted ear Of corn and
seemed to feel very silly after she had come and
allowed her to depart after we had said a few
things to each other which neither understood
and all the time the rest Of her party kept UP their
ggge and chatter.
An old gray haired usher stood near the door
and directed people, while another-a fat good
natured old fellow in slippers and whose cotton
trousers Mapped around his ankles met them in
front OF my box and escorted them down the aisle
Tho band now came in from outside and. taking
the usual place played waltzes while the seats
filled and everybody chatted and smoked till
finally bell on the stage set up dreadful clany-
ing and the curtain rose
The dialogue was in Spanish and il began by
each OF nve people. who were seated in very stiff
row reciting in most stilted manner both OF
voice and gesture. an Introductory story concerto
ing the be'rothal OF Don Somebody or Other 10
bona Something Else without their having any,
thing to say about 1t themselves. In course Of
time the girl appeared and told her story in n high
squeaky voice. She was got up in a sort Of Diana
style OF dress made OF green satin covered with git
embroidery and spangles. and with low neck and
short sleeves, while her aigrette was huge and
wondered why she was wearing that rig in the wild
woods where she appeared
her nance appearing OPPORTUNITY with his
ia'nef ana a lew other business men, the young
couple were betrothed. and walking toward
each other. she stood very stifly and placed her
left hand about over his liver and he put his lcft
hand behind her waist and his right-oh we'll
nave no business discussing woman S anatomy.
know only that they were both as stiff as possible
ana DIANA did not look or act happy over her be-
roihal Each scene ended with a sort Of grand
march, and the half dozen people on the stage stood
hnu marked ume I'LL they caug IT, and then piano
ed In twos down TO the 'front.' and hating for twour
'nroe steps, laced outward and marched 10 tho
corners and thus around until they disappeared al
Inc back Every exit was made in this manner
10 ma'er II there was but one person concerned.
~ur'aihs were raised and dropped for the different
'oehes' ana tho stage setting quite like our
own only very simple; indeed it VAS not typical rs
flhpino theatre, but was quite Spanish In cos
umeh' dialogue and plot And, true to report
NE heroine had several admirers on the string.
der nance to use slang expression was notinit
md when the real article appeared on the scene
ma announced himself you could tell at once by
MS general getup that he had the confidence
which must carry him TO success
lie talked long time about IT, all 10 himself.
Ano unused and rayed, vowed and prayed shouted
md hissed and when Diana appeared -Ihave for
'oten her name, but that is what she looked like
10 Immediately began to chase her around the
lage dropping on his knee about every third step,
however, she knew her business and was by turns
laughty and coy. disdainful and reluctant until
mother suitor appeared on the scene and tried 10
'e' up row with the favorte and he almost sue
coded; indeed they drew their swords or knives or
omething else Of that sort and that fetched her