While the stage manager makes yood in such a way, it is interesting examine how far the Chinese [stage has gone in the way of degenteration. Let us hear the confession fof Mr. Ouyang Vu-chien, famous playwright, stage artiste, and_forerunner of' the new dramatic movement in contemporary China. Speaking of the Shanghai stage to-day, remarks that "its chief emphasis laid on the spectacular transform motion "of scenes. As to dialogue shes and action, it aims at being quick, direct, and' humorous, giving no consideration to refinement and approrlateness....At first 1 was not used to it but gradually I had learned to be wise, entering and leaving accord~ Jing to the orchestral direction, and it "was quite easy, There was more dialogue than singing. And even as regards the dialogue, if there was time we might make it longer, other-Jwise we might cut it {depending on the length of Ume 7e-amired for fixing up the scenery, oF forthe: make-up of the players, of the ensuing scene "when the voice 'Shorten' " was Jemitied from the back stage waa 'Prolong' we had to draw out [Sitlogve to a, greater length. 1x case the "crawing' was Insucient, we could signal to the and Sing afew nes which had to be Somposed off-handedly "by ourselves the moment"
1'may incidentally mention that in his rime, Mr. Ouyang rivalled Mel Ean'fang in both artistic attainments Sed popularity. In. his naive and plain spoken memoir, "Since 1 Went a the Stage," he lays bare the con temporary 'Chinese stage before' Us, with all ite weaknesses, dsintegraion, and " unfines for' the easing fenerallon, "He certainly" knows what he is, talking" about.
Wren a form of art his outlived 46 time and vitality, It is Bound 40 to the dogs. So the Chinese stage a the twilight of its tickering age 15 doomed to go to the crocodiles. has departed from real life as a fish fiom ater, and ie clinging tothe fcrocailes ial for' dripping drop! of life from the river. The moment the: reptile crawly ts way. into the Pear Garden, i means that the old, dwindling, invalid gardener must re: sig ble Position toa nev, fi, strong. fud vital successor. This all tore! anyone should think that I have wronged. the 'Chinese stage, et him home the, est local dearest Sholcest Peiping' company in. all China and manage them for 2 year. He need not worry sbout the initial month, since there. are enough men in Shanghai who are willing to pay. s3 for aeat merely to have Jock [irate re ce aso inces Charmi ound the
manage to forge the' second month by staging. the greatest "wen tations" for which his Princes are renown. "Then, the third. month comes and the real. problem begins fo" exert itself Money to Greedy "Ushers"
The playgoers, having gazed so long at the Princes Charming, gra dually find them not much more fascinating than" their. own wives They have let 2 good for of their money pass into the hands of the greedy theatre "ushers" and cannot, afford to spend more, lest they will [have nothing left over for the rent] collectors, They begin to revive their domestic pastimes or spend their evenings St cheaper resorts which are more comprehensible and meaningful to them, or at the equally cheap crocodile performances to [have a look at the Prince Grotesque.
Consequently, before the fourth month lapses, the manager will probably have to overdraw his bank accounts. If he still insists on going. through the mill, pretty soon we will find him negotiating with, some 'Banker for a mortgage on his residence or his wife's jewellery. When the year winds up for good. he will be celebrating his New Year, in all probability, in' Ward Rood (Gacl—a' complete bankrupt!
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.