London Critics Praise "La cly Precious Stream" and -Its Excellent Acting By London, Dec. 1.
Mr, Stirling Fessenden leaves London to-day to spend a fortnight in France before sailing by the s. Con'o. Rosso for China. He has been here Gora spirit. After much that 1s more pretentious and ese akiltul {tis a. great relief. "And how pleasant an author's Speech! A man with a emile ito Afr. Hiolune's could' searcely make a) bed both of the lighter side of London and its graver moments. Many People were eager to hear him on China, and he has had conferences with the House of Commons' Chins Committee, the Foreign Office, the London Committees of the China Association and British Residents' Association, and the Royal Institute of International Affairs. He says the he feels more at home in London than anywhere except in Shanghai, and will come back to us but "when there Is less fog"—ot which he has certainly had a plentiful sample.
The production at the Little Thea: tre of "Lady Precious Stream," in Mr. $. I. Hstung's charming transla-ton has been received with unstinted enthusiasm by all the London critics. Strict Chinese conventions were followed, no scenery except a back cloth representing a very simple sky. fand just a few branches of pine tree jutting out at one side, in the manner 30 familiar in Chinese paintings; the property men are always in full view and each actor of actress, on enfering, begins by explaining himself the audience. But the story is fresh (in spite of being 1,000 years old) the characterization so clear cut and the acting and gestures which supply the lack of scenery, were so good, that the whole effect was indescribably delightful.
"Exquisite Refreshment"
Here are some extracts from leading critiques, Morning Post:"—
If you look far off for a charming play, It may be a thousand miles awa but if you look quite close you wil find "it at the "Lite Theatre, "as Yesterday's, eudlence did, thie traditional Chinese drama...
"An exqulsie Fetreshment in tts mplo story-telling, "Lady Perelous Stream" ts ideally' acted," and. pros used" just inthe right spirit should make a perfect holiday-play for children, and will equally delight their grown up escorts with its medley fun, tenderness, and beauty.
"Dally Telegraph:"—
Tals simple tale Is told with beautiful directness possible only theatre where make-believe 1 before realism.
Miss Maisie Darrell as the heroine and Mr. Roger Livesey as hero were admirable; and Miss Louise Hampton as Madam Wang, Precious Steam's mother, must surely have lived in China: she was more really Chinese than anyone, But all were exceedingly good.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.