The San Francisco call., 1905-02-19
GILBERT WOULD
NOT LIKE THIS
japanese Dances and Songs
Not at ALI Remindful of
the Three Little Maids
REAL SORT OF "MIKADO"
Little Brown Actresses and
Actors in Entertainment
for Benefit of Red Cross
REAL SORT OF "MIKADO"
BY SALLY SHARP.

Not being on speaking terms with
the japanese tongue nor japanese
stagecraft, the programme at the AL
hambra last night for the benefit Of
the japanese Red Cross Society rather
stumped me and there evidently were
others. But that the dances and the
dramatic work, all pantomirne were
interesting is agreed, if you had the
patience to sit it out, an achievement
attained by about sixth of the house.
The programme opened with
weird dance, Matzukaze," by Miss
Saku Ogawa, portraying a pretty
peasant girl wandering in search of
her lover, Prince Yukihira.
The music accompanying this and
some of the other dances was wrought
from the same type drum as is used
by the Chinese and the Indians-irl
fact, all the music heard last night is
identical in many phases with the
music of the Chinese and the Indian.
And In this suggestion, as we'll as in
theme of the drama presented Gin
part) lay the true interest of the per-
formance, for it suggested many
things to him who is interested in the
development of man.
But, ye gods, there comes a time
when even that interest lags, when for
twenty minutes a dramatic dance is
kept awhirl, to the monotone of drums
and the twang of fiddles-..kotos'' they
call them. To be sure, the dance tells
story, but it's an awful long story
for US nervous, hurried Americans.
And, by the way, a Japanese at my
right, AmericaniZed, to be sure, de-
clared the numbers too slow for him,
now that he has learned to know the
American plays and turns
The Jiu-jitsu was one of the most ap-
precfated numbers offered, because we
understood it. And it was extremely
clever. One musical number was en-
tertaining-the duet with koto and
luye. bringing out the rhythm so well
known in the types of music mentioned
above. But in my widest moments l
could not profess to: enjoy it.
The following isSIthe programh1e in
full with a few interpretations and a
few clever little talks by the stage
manager: sl
Dance, Matzukaze,' % representing a
peasant girl wandering in search of her
lover, Prince Yukihira, Miss Saku-
Ogawa, old style fencing. Gekken. by
four boys: duet. koto and ftiye
Gfute): dance, .'Te-odiro," Miss Fukue
Sunauaka; sword dance, accompanied
by reading of an ancient ode; dance,
-odori- Urashima, illustrating an
old legend, Mrs. H. Yoshimoto: Jiu
JltSu, pnySlcdl culture; old dance
''Taira Tomomori," the last of the
Taira Dynasty and his vow of re-
yenge; .Bushi-no- Koi.'' an act of an
old drama in which is told the sacri-
flee of Samurari's love for his coun-
try. by members of the Sho-fu-dan
Theatrical. Company.
Evidently the house was something
of a disappointment in numbers, which
means less cash for the splendid Red
Cross cause. Hence was there an auc-
ton sale of two large japanese prints,
bringing $50.
The house was really as interesting
as the PLAYERS, in its dramatic cos
mopolitanism-here a pretty society
maid there a Japanese houseservant,
all side by side, and sandwiched to-
gether in the boxes.
Altogether. it was a night long to be
remembered.
1t is the first Japanese company to
come from the Little Island to present
dramas in the native tongue-and may
I never again see one until 1 know my
japanese. AndI there are others who
seemed to havelthe same feeling