SLAPSTICK COMEDY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 5, 7 January 1929, Page 8

SLAPSTICK COMEDY.

HITS CHINESE THEATRE.

SPOILING HAND OF MODERNITY.

Modernity is invading and spoiling the most ancient form of drama—the etage of China that for countless centuries had remained as it was in the beginning. Slapstick comedy, a la Chaplinese, shows the influence of the movies on the play, and, horror of horrors! Chinese opera is now being broadcast. Go down into Chinatown any night of the week and attend the Chinese playhouse, and you will be convinced. There was a time, not so long ago, when yon could locate the theatre without any other sense than that of hearing. "Follow your ears" was the direction given in those times, but alas! those gladsome days have departed, for microphones have been installed, and the music of the orchestra that formerly was the location mark of the place now blares forth from half a dozen loudspeakers, with results distressing to tl» ears of an Occidental.

The theatre having been located, tie trend of modern times is painfully evident at the box office, for the seate that formerly sold for 23 cents now co?t three times that amount.

But it is the stage itself that, represents the greatest change, for there are drop curtains strung pbnve the board* amid a network of mpcs and pulley*. The orchestra has been greatly enlarged, and while it still occupies a portion of the stage, the members of the hand evidence the influence of syncopated jazz—not that there has ever been nnicli of a difference between the mu<ic of the modern jazz orchestra and the string and wind instruments of the Orient. But it comes as a distinct shock to see the solemn-visaged piper of the Chinese band suddenly jump to his fpet and do a half clog dance in front of his fellows.

And in the play—tlic ancient themes are maintained—and the dresse?, costing up to r>ooo dollar eachare still worn, hut now chara.tor- have been introduced: buffoons who-r art ha' been spoiled by vati-hin™ the film favourites of fun. and coniic polii-civen. a la Hollywood, wearing holnief*. They appear out of place amid the splendour of princes ami mandarins with their richly-decorated headdres-c« a:v\ nay jrarments.

Xo, the Occidental inflm-n lni'iovofl the Chinese sta-(\