The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-04
WOMAN ON CHINESE STAGE.
Avn MORE THAN THAT MRS. WONG
PLATS the PART or A MAN.


NJ Precedent-Hard to Interview.
The Chinese Theater In Doyers street
sprang an empire shaking innovation last
night They introduced to the Chinese
stage a woman in a mans part. That
sounds innocent enough 10 an American,
hut around the yellow triangle II made
more talk yesterday than an Eggers raid.
Tan or The Dancing Doll or the lingerie
scene In The Turtle was never in Il with
this for pure, thrilling shock.
Wah MaiNg, or Mrs Wong az she Is known
In private life, Ia the woman who has done
this scandaous thing. She IL hardened 10
This thrilling conduct. for she is the first
woman who ever appeared on the Chinese
stage al all Up to that time, all female
parts had been taken by men, trained from
childhood 10 initiate women. That's the
general customyet on the Chinese stage. Just
now and then a real woman Ia introduced
10 produce a kind Of a sensation, like the
appearance Of Capt. Putnam Bradlee
Strong in vaudeville
i happened this way. Both the Chinese
theater in New York and the Wong family
in San Francisco were up against It. MB.
Wong nee Wah Mai Ng, went on the stage
With the Jackson street company In San
Francisco about ten years ago, when she
was only 10. Five years ago, Mr.. Wong
met and married her. It took nerve above
ordinary matrimonial courage for Wong
10 adopt this measure, since she was Of the
actor caste and he wasn't. And all his
friends said that sonnet hing dreadful was
going to happen.
The gods saved II up for him until last
summer. when he got enterprising and
took Chinese village to the worlds fair
81. Louis didn't fall for chop suey and
chinese music. and when the bills were
balanced he was out $4,000. He has been
trying TO settle ever since, but last month
he came near the end Of his string.
The idea Of springing the new thriller
struck Mrs. Wong at once, but she hesitated
about doing such a thing at home. So
Ehe wrote to the New York Chinese Theater,
Offering to play the man part for half the
receipts, and enclosing clippings which
proved that she was San Francisoo's fav-
orite Chinese comedienns.
Just then, the New York theater was
having its troubles. Gambling closed down
tight-Chinatown full Of Eggers men
not fan-tan chip clicking. A fan-tanless
Chinatown Is like a drinkless TendeTloin.
So the laundrymen from Jersey and The
Bronx stayed at home, and the house
dwlndled 10 paper.
Mrs. wong's offer came like a gift from
the gods. An acceptance was wired 10
her, and last night she opened as the
Prince IN sHo Heung Tung Nj, which be- |
ing translated means The Fragrant Peach !
Blossom
It worked bevond the fondest dream Of |
the management. Even at half past s, |
when Il still costs so cents TO get in, the |
house was filing up, and when. at o o'clock, |
the price was reduced as usual TO IS cents |
the door keeper was swept of his feet by |
the price was dropped to Is cents, still as
usual, but no one got in for that price.
At $40 sharp Mrs. Wong, In long yellow
robe and a six foot headdreSs Of pleas
ant feathers, made her star entrance. An
awet. scandslized murmur ran over the
audience. Then those in the front began to
stand on benches TO view the scene better
and those behind followed suit. Tbs door
keeper and three cops had to rush In and
pull EN- down 10 prevent q not
MIS-. Wong held tight n her nerve. She
may have paled little, but as she wore q
mask OF white paint no one noticed It.
Before the audience came Mrs. Wong
was interviewed. The play began, acoord-
ing 10 schedule, at O'Clock. There's never
anyone in the house when a play begins at
the Chinese Theater but the actors squat
and gesticulate at bare benches Just the
same, until about $50, when the first reck-
less 5O-oenter is ushered TO a front seat.
During the wait for an audience Mrs, Wong |
sat on the edge Of the stage, about a yard
from the soloist's feet, and daintily smoked !
a cigarette She Is little Cantonese woman ]
with affected ways, a childish smile and I
front teeth helped out by much gold. She
looked tired as she had a license TO be, for :
the bill will change every night Of her two |
weeks engagement so she has fourteen 4
star, parts TO learn In her hours Of leisure.
'He wants to interview you said the
combined press agent and dooTkeeper
of the Chinese Theater, from whom pro- I
iced the facts in the true and veracious
history of Mrs. Wong, as related above.
-Intleyue' Wha TO intlevue. No sab
'Papahl You sabe papah7 Put um in I
papah!' said the press agent, dropping :
Into veTnAcular.
'oh, pepahI' said Nine. Wong, break
ng out a vivacious smile "Noospapah .
Tell um tluth, tell 'um lie alice saneel
well, wees said The Sun reporter,
remembering that she might have Judged
he newspaper from what she had seen )
printed about the theaters. :
How much costf' asked Nine. Wong, :
win ging one silk trousered leg over the !
other.
The press agent explained that Il wouldn't .
'ost cent. It was Just little free tribute
Alice light you ask 'um. tell 'um,'
aid Nine Wong.
How did you happen TO 60 on the stage2'
isked The Sun reporter. When in doubt 4
What 10 ask theatrical persons always play
bat They're accustomed TO answering Il.
oh, get Job. Need money, Want work. Z.
aid Nine Wong, with an emphasis which :
oeed that subject. {
How do you manage TO remember 90 I
many paTtsls
oh, ad-lead, ale time. Blme-by T
alk-talk. Bime-by lemembah. I
'Er-do you like TO play man partsi'
Play man paht, play woman, play 7
'llnce. play faily, play supe. Ale saues,'
aid Nine. Wong
The interview didn't seem TO be getting on b
cry well. Grasping at straws, THE Sun Q
epOrter remembered something he had
eard 10 the effect that it's a high comph-
nent to ask a Chinese womans age.
How old are your he asked. O
"Say!' responded Nine. Wong you II
lefty blame flesh! Goo-nightl' b
Peconic Bank TO Resume. y
G. NJ | a