The performance of the burlesque on the recent A. D. C. representation of Les Cloches de Corneville," which has been the talk of the town for'a considerable time, was given for the first tine on Thursday night the audience being confined to the sterner sex as smoking was permitted. The book of the burlesque has been written by *Tungchia," which is a guarantee for its being smart and witty, with a spice of that not ill-natured cynicism for which the writer is celebrated. The piece has been produced by the combined efforts of well-known members of the A.D.C. and Shanghai Smoking Concert Club and_is denominated in full The Coolies of Looneyrille, or the Muddled Settlement," and, as this title indicates, the scenes are' laid in Shanghai. It is stated on the programme that the music of the piece is chiefly by Planquette, and that the entire performance is given " by. great good luck." The representation on thursday was very well attended, but must be considered more or less of 4 pri-yate performance, and indeed, to all intents and purposes, was.a dress rehearsal, for the critical performance will take place on Monday next, the 28th, when ladies will be present, and as nearly all the seats have been booked there is a certainty of a bumper house.
'A smoking concert entertainment is not altogether favourable for a dramatic representation, as the performers know that they are playing to their friends, and are not therefure so careful about attention to 7 details as is the ease when play 1 before the general public, but for all this the piece ran remarkably well and was very funny as a whole. The selection of the Queen's birthday for the opening performance gave a welcome opportunity for a display of loyalty from Britishers, and esteem and veneration from citizens and subjects of other nationalities, and therefore the orchestra, under the direction of Mr. Wedemeyer, opened proceedings with the British national anthem, in which all present joined. Indeed, the exuberance of loyalty amongst some of the British audience caused this ovation to be anticipated, for before the orchestra were in their places the the Bill of the Play" off "God save the Queen," in which the was upset by an ardent cricketer leading rest heartily joined. This, however, did not diminish the enthusiasm with which the National Anthem was repeated shortly afterwards. It unfortunately happened that something went wrong with the gus, soi that it was not possible for some little time to. vse the sunlight or the footlights, and it was necessary to rig up a screen with the electric light in front of the stage, so that the actors could be seen, and this caused considerable delay in raising the curtain, but when after the orchestra had played Planquette's overture the stage was displayed, it was found that the scene was laid on the familiar Bund, and that the action of the piece was carried on by a strange mixture of the genuine character of Les Cloches" and an odd assortment of local officials, visitors and residents. The plot of the first. scene was very diverting, and it served to introduce several actors to the Lyceum stage who had never before been seen there, amongst many with whom the theatre-going public are familiar, but as the piece is to be played on Monday before the general public not advisable to go into details of the plot or business, as it would otherwise spoil the enjoyment of those who intend being present on that occasion. It will therefore be sufficient to say that the second scene ras, also view of abortion of the Bund, and that the third scene of the first act was laid at the Mixed Court, where was demonstrated the urgent necessity for some reformation of that establishment. The second act is inid at the Shanghai Club, and the married ladies of this place will be pleased to know that on Monday they will be let into certain secrets about that establishment for which they have pined in vain for years, and if the exhibition of the silent heroes" of the Club bar does not astonish them nothing will. The dialogue is smart and bristles with local allusions, and the business of the piece is very amusing, though it must be confessed that there were stage waits at times that should not have occurred, and that the prompter was too much in demand. But there is time to put this right before Monday, and as the pruning knife is being used freely, there can be mo doubt that Monday's performance will run briskly and perfectly, and will afford immense enjoyment to the audience. It is worth while going if only to see the admirable caricatures of well-known residents, which are portrayed without any offence whatever to the originals. The principals of the burlesque are well cast, and carry out the absurdities of the piece wit" spirit, while the chorus is effective, and the female part of it is provi As the programme informs: j_ effort has been made te reconcile the voices of the performers: with the expectations of a fastidious audience," and though the result is in some instances startling, what more" could be desired We vise learn that the Stage Manager is Mr. Vestibule, assisted by Mr. G.L. U. Potts and "kind suggestions from every member of the Company." ssu thiy alone ought tw ensure Success.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.