IONA PUPILS PRESENT "LADY PRECIOUS STREAM"

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 71, 16 December 1937, Page 11

IONA PUPILS PRESENT "LADY PRECIOUS STREAM"

A most jdelightful presentation of the old Chinese play, "Lady Precions Itream," by S. I. Hsiung, was given last eve.ning by the pupils of Iona College, Havelock North, and the audince which filled the scliool assembly hall, spent a most enjoyable evening. The cast was as foilows: — Reader, d. U. Cromptou ; property men, J . iunt and B. Linklater j Wang Yun, he Prime Minister, J. Grayj Madam iiVang, his wife, C. Maneyj Silver itream, his daughter, M. Scottj Jolden Stream, his daughter, B. Cox; Isieh Ping Kuei, the gardener, M. rait; Su, the Dragon General, H. iodgson; Wei, the Tiger General, B. fhomson j Chinese attendants, G. Ivittle, 15. Steele; Chinese maids, P. Etobertson, N. Clapham, B. Lloyd, J. Brown; suiters, M. Mackay, M. McLeay, V. Phillips, F. Jonesj soldiers (Act II, Scene I), M. Mackay, V. Bhiilips -s driver (Act H, Scene H.), F. Jones ; warden of 1st and 2nd pass (Act III., Scene I.), E. Steele ; Warden Mu, H. Hodgson; A.D.C. Ma Ta, M. Mackay; A.D.C. Kian Hai, V. Phillips; "Western attendants, F. Jones and G. Little; Western princess, lt. Oross; wild goose, V. Phillips; execu(iioner ((Act IV., Scene II.), E. Steele; Minister of Foreiga Affairs, M. McLeay, In the choicG of ("Lady Precious Stream," a play completely different . from any previous performance was given, and the results were most successful. "Lady Precious Stream" is describsd as an old Chinese play done into English according to its traditional style. In this traditional stylc lay tlio raain difference bet.ween this play and the plays usually performed. Before the curtain rose a Chinese atmosphere was achieved by means of Jhineso music, records for this and the music used throughout the play xxaving been lent hy Mr.'Feng Wang, the Uhinese Consul. ' A reader then came forward and described to his audience that in a Chinese play the stage was not arranged in any way, but that tlio property men were always present to bring forward chairs as they wero aeeded, and also all other necessary properties. The reader then spoke briefly about the main members of tho cast, and (thon withdrew, appearing again before each act to speak briefly. Ihe story of the play was very simple and centred round the life or frecious jstream, tlie youngest daugiifcer of Wang Yun, the l'ruue Minibter. Ihe play opened with a conference at~ tended by the Prime Minister, his wiie, and all members of the family to discuss the suitors for tlie hand of tho youngest daughter, Precious Stream, who aeeided to choose her own husbaua and married Hsieh Ping A.uei, tho gardener. Jbor eighteen years slie lived in poverty in a cave, and omy leturned to the home of her family when her busband had becomo Hing oi the Western regions. Fach meinbc.r of the cast played her part spiendidly, gnd eveu the most muior characters added to tlie pleasure given hy the performance. Many very gay and cliarming Chinese costuines were worn by the performers, and the Prime Mimster's eostume, lent by Miss Nita McHardy was very much admired. A oeautifulJycarved Chinese armchair was lent by Mr. H. Banks, and Mr. H. W. C. Baird lent a lovely embroidered panei, table and chopsticks. The performance continued withoufc a hitch, and was thoroughly enjoyed, and the audience admired the courage of the performers in tackling something completely different. Among the audience were : — Mr. &nd Mrs. J. B. Campbed, Mr. and Mrs. C. Douglas and Miss A. Douglas, Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Baker, Mr. and Mrs. 11. D. Brown, Mrs. Guy Rochfort and Miss Alix Rochfort, Mrs. Rosemary Fannin, Mrs. W. A. Whitlock. Mrs. A. D. S.

Wliyte, Mrs. W- Bridgman and Miss £ W. Bridgman, Mr. 15. C. Clarkson, , Misses G. and M. Couper, Miss N. , Bell, Mrs. A. F * Glenny, Mrs. J. Hen- ^ nah and Miss Marie Hennah, Mrs. M. L. MacLennan, Miss L. Hunter, Miss Patti Morrin, Miss Jean. Small, Miss ] Beth Smith, Mr. and Mrs. T. Holmes, Mrs. Chapman-Taylor, Miss Fountain- , Barber, Mrs. C. Hamber, Miss Margaret Maclean, Mr. and Mrs. H. W. C. Baird1 and the Misses A. aud L. Baird, Miss Helen Coleman, Miss Vera Hammond (Marton). Mrs. A. G. Stead, Miss Connie Symes, Mrs. L. McLeod, Mrs. J. Holt, Miss Helen Waugh, Mr. Neil Appleby, Alrs. A. R. Greenwood, Dr. and Mrs. K: E. Crompton, tho Misses Nancy and Catherine and Mr. Leigh Crompton, Mrs. McLennan'and Miss Fairlie McLeunan, Miss Wachsmann, Mrs F-orbes McHardy, Miss Nita McHardy, Miss Mary Mossman, Mrand Mrs. M. Fenton, Miss E. Grantham, Mr G. Hardenberg, Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. R. Bridge, Mrs. W. van Ascli, and Miss Mary van Asch, Mr. and Mrs. I). van Asch, Miss Rosemary Miller, Mr. and L. J. Harvey, Mrs. C. R. Bayly, Mrs. G. Faulkner, Mrs. A. D. Morris