The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-06-16

SsOOkibSSs
One of the most novel and interest
| ing entertainments ever given in Ho-
nolulu was that presented by the stu
| dent of Mills Institute in the school
hall last night. The main feature of
the evening was THE Sorrows of Han, "
classical Chinese drama. This was
given in the Chinese style, with Chi
nese costumes, Chinese stage settings,
Chinese forms of acting-in fact every
thing about it was truly Chinese ex-
cept that it was given in the English
language. 1t is thought that this IS
the first time that a true Chinese
drama in the Chinese style has been
given in English. Certainly it gave
a great opportunity for an insight in
to the true meaning of an Oriental
play The musical part of the play
was omitted last night, with the ex-
ception of one short instrumental Sc
lection, for the reason that it has moth
ing to do with the plot and it is almost
impossible to translate it into English
without it's losing its significance.
Otherwise the play was a literal Eng
lish translation of the original drama.
Preceding the play were two other
numbers, one an actual representation
of a Chinese school. given in costume.
All the students studied out loud and
recited with their backs to the teach
er. 1t was an excellent representation
and was loudly applauded. Next Cap
tain Arthur Akina of the Mills cadets
read a scholarly paper on ''The Chi
nese Drama" telling especially the
history of the one to be given.
Then came the main event of the
evening. There was no scenery what
ever. only a few chairs and a table
covered with a brilliant silk scarf re-
lieving the baroness of the stage. In
the Chinese drama a chair may repre-
sent mountain, a palace or a we'll.
L
geous, but true copies of the cour.
costumes of the era which the play
represents. The story is that Of Yu-
ente, a Chinese emperor of the Han
tiful maiden but is forced to yield her
to the Khan of the Tartars to save his
domfnions from invasion. The girl,
loyal to her country, goes but after
reaching the. Tartar lord throws her
self into the river before his eyes.
Chin Kan took the part of the En-
peror and played it with much appre-
citation. Tai Sun was the naughty
Khan of the Tartars and both looked
and acted the part. All Choy gave an
excellent Interpretation Of the charac-
ter of the crafty and worthless min
lister, Maouyenshow, the villain of the
play. Ching Yet as the President OF
the Imperial Council, Foo Yau, officer
in waiting. and Ahmiu Achiu, Envoy Of
the KHAN had minor parts but did
them excellently. Mr. Ting Kwai who
took the difficult part of the heroine
was perfect both in makeup and act
ing. and his thrilling plunge into the
imaginary river brought down the
house. The two female attendants and
the male attendants and soldiers added
much to the play. A feature was the
drilling of the soldiers after the Chi
nese fashion, and the sword duels,
duels with spears and boxing matches
all done in the ancient Chinese style.
These were faultlessly performed and
brought loud applause.
The school hall was appropriately
decorated with green's and the flags OF
America, Hawaii and China. Great
credit is due to the students and their
trainers for a most enjoyable evening.
Following was the cast:
A CHINESE SCHOOL.
Teacher ...... Mr.. Young Poi Quai
Scholars-Masters Quai Ming. Quai
Lum, All Wal Hoon Wo, All
Hang. All Fong. Yau Choy
Young Cho, Foo Kau, Wong
Pui.
Essay-"The Chinese Drama" ..........
Mr.. Arthur Akina.