CHINESE THEATRICALS.

Evening Star, Issue 3435, 24 February 1874, Page 3

CHINESE THEATRICALS.

The Chinese National Drama, of a strictly legitimate character, has long been established in Australia, although it has to wander about under a large circus tent. There is no painted scene, but chairs, tables, imitation bedsteads, and other articles of furniture are brought on as required. The members of the orchestra are ranged along the back of the stage, and keep up an almost incessant din with gongs and tomtoms. The characters of the drama wear very gorgeous spangled dresses, the warriors looking like monster dragon flies, with long feathers sticking out of their head gear, and sometimes their faces painted blue or red. Terrible fights go on with wooden swords or spears j the combatants screeching or leaping. All the characters make their entrances and exits through slits in an arras, or tapestry, at the back. The fighting men, after dropping down killed en regie , get up and walk out, no curtain being used. Two dramas can be performed in an evening, between half-past seven and midnight, and scarcely for an instant do the tomtoms cease for all that time. The actors recite in a wholly unnatural tone, much like Mr Punch. Violent passion is expressed by rolling the eyes and blowing with distended cheeks, everything being done with much dignity. The actors are < ftl’l men, but some make up for ladies in bewitching style, having magnificent black tresses, which they toss about wildly in displaying the anguish with which Chinese dramas abound. The audiences do not applaud a bit, and look on with gravity, smoking their pipes. There is not much comedy introduced. It is usually bestowed upon the old woman, and the actor who takes this role can rise much hilarity among the European visitors, although the Chinamen hardly relax into a smile at the most grotesque efforts.