Eastern Ways In New York Theatreland

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 946, 12 April 1930, Page 24

Eastern Ways In New York Theatreland

Clever Chinese is Given Warm Welcome Early last month Mr. Tokujiro . .Tsutsui of Kyoto and his company of Japanese players began an engagement on Broadway not more than a few blocks away from Mr. Mei Lan-Fang and his Chinese players. Thus New Yorkers are being educated most thoroughly not only in authentic Oirental drama, but in the basic differences existing between the two schools. Also, they are being forced, in a way, to take sides. Which represents

the better art. if any? And which offers the better entertainment? SOCIA LCHOICE Society, as such, has apparently do-

cided to favour Mr. Mei of China! (.pictured on this i page). At least.! Mr. Mei. having the advantage of the l strongest social backing, is drawing more prominent people in crowds. Rut he also had the advantage of a fortnight’s start.

and it is possible Mr. Tsutsui will later catch up with him. Mr. Mei's name, incidentally, is pronounced as spelled as “May.” Mr. Tsutsui’s sounds a little like “Su-Suey.” A SHARP DIVISION Cirtics favour the Chinese. His performances are so delicate, so charming, so completely in the old. old Chinese tradition this costumes ■ are so brilliant, and his grace, as a mincing lady of the distna dynasties, is so compelling that he has made many friends. Naturally there is frequently a sharp division of opinion. The mass of the public is not so interested in Chinese stage art. One night recently I dropped into conversation with an attache of the theatre, in which Mr. Mei was then playing (he has since moved to the National, where there are more seats.)” writes a New York critic. •It beats me,” this chap admitted. “We’ve been sold out for practically every performance. Swell people, too. And after each act they come out in the lobbv and rave, ‘I think him charming, really!’ ‘O’ I think he’s sweet!’ T think he’s adorable!’ ‘lsn't he lovely?' “And you?” I queried. “I thin kthey're nuts,” said he. And he may be right. Gregan McMahon’s permanent return to the field of literary play production has been received with much enthusiasm since his announcement of the reorganisation of the Gregan McMahon Players on a new basis, says a Melbourne paper. Already some 700 subscribers have responded to his appeal. Seats for the coming six performances of "The Circle” and “Jacob’s ladder” are now being rapidly booked up. At the conclusion of the coming season Mr. McMahon will pro- ; ceed to put into rehearsal Sean | O’Casey’s play, “The Plough and the Stars.” and G. K. Chesterton’s “Magic,” a most attractive and wellcontrasted programme, for the second season of the year.