"Mr. Shusaku Shiomi, Chancellor of the Japanese Consulate here, who was abducted by thirty armed Chinese soldiers in French territory near the French Indo-China border on "December 29, will be turned over to the French Colonial authorities shortly, it was learned here today.
The French Consul stationed in dLiüchow negotiated for the release the Japanese official. Despite the e ions of the French Consul, ened td be passing by the of the kidnapping when it d, Mr. Shiomi was taken into e territory where he was in the custody of Chinese Lack of authentic detail and errors of dress have spoilt many productions during recent years, and although the Russian Light Opera Company's opening performance of "The Divorced Wife" at the Lyceum Theatre on Thursday, was as enjoyable from an amusement point of view as former efforts, a little more care might have been taken over the costumes worn by the principals, especially in the last act. Here was depicted, in excellent scenery, a market place in a little town in Holland The time of the year was summer, or at least so it appeared, ior the trees were heavily laden with green leaves and the stage lighting suggested bright sunlight. When the principals entered, however, the effect was ludicrous for such was the ill-assortment of costumes that banality was introduced for the first time, and the act was spoilt. Here were the principal female members of the cast clad in sleeveless summer dresses, two of the older male members wearing overcoats—one with a muffler—and two young men one of whom wore the correct European summer dress—light grey suit and straw hat—and the other who did not white tropical suit with sun helmet. In Holland of all places! It is to be hoped that these discrepancies will be remedied during the next performance. While the rest of the scenes were almost perfect much of the singing was marred by the accompaniment of the orchestra which brought forth no little comment in the lobbies during intervals.
Mr. G. Koudinoff, who played the principal role, added further laurels to his already well-established reputation in Shanghai and his fine voice earned for him the plaudits of the first-night audience, including one encore in the second act. Miss Z. Zorich deserved all praise for her portrayal of the leading feminine role—a portrayal that was light and breezy throughout—while Miss Z. Bitner as Gouda Van-der-Loo. President of the League of Free Love, certainly interpreted her part in an authentic style. Her songs, too, were as delightfully executed as in previous performances. Always a popular favourite, Mr. V. Valin played the part of Cornelius Skrop, conductor of Wagon-Lits, in his usual inimitable style. There is little doubt that he heads the city's list of comedians. Others, whose portrayals were worthy of mention were Mr. S. Tomsky and Mr. L. Rosen. Two delightful ballet scenes directed by Mr. B. Seroff, "Tango Magnolia" and "Dutch Dance," were well-executed by the ballet-master and Miss O. Manjeley with the ballet ensemble. On the whole the production was entertaining, but not perfect—rs.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.