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Chinese Theatre* in *au Francisco.—There are two Chinese theatre* in San Ftaocl*co. These are on opposite sides of Jackson street, just below Dupont street. The most popular is the oldest, the “Chinese Koyai,” on the north side of the street. The entrance to this is through a long passage, about live feet w ide, lined with the tables of fruit and cake venders. Theaudilorium has a partpiette that scats about 600, and a gallery for about 2-50; a smaller gallery fo about SO Chinese women,and two private boxes void of ail comfort in the way of dubious, curtains or i Irani mesa, but elevated and roomy enough for six persons, near the stage and offering the only chance for securing reserved seats. The price of admission varies with time of entrance. Early In the evening, “barbarians” are charged “four bit*, or rtfty cents, but Celestials find open doom to ihc front or best seats, for two bits or twentv ttve I hi cents. After ten o’clock, the ’ Moliran man,” or Atnerieau man, lt;au secure a seat for two hits, and any one going at *r this hour can see al be desires In-foie the end is announced. t lt;The best parts of the play are seldom 1 •'lt; reached before 11 o’clock, and the play ,N,’ often lasts until 2 or 3 o’clock. Then- m si a law at present prohibiting them to p* ly i»lt; louger than ISoYlok. There an n.’. stage curtains, no shifting scene*, no iV denotation* of Any kind; simply a plat- •• form, at the rcai of whieh the orchestra 1,1 sits, and on e ther side of the mus clatts, T‘r’ is a door for ingres* or exit. The decep. tion is perfectly a| parent when ooc falls in war or passion, and is not can red oil j,‘ the stage, nor bidden Ik him! the drop. ft. but rises and trots away, lienee tin r« is a decided feeling that Ine wuote thing is ’toothin’’ for long enjoyment. The acting is as rude aa all the surrounding*, yet it is often true to Chinese life. During the play of a comedy the whole an- \ \ diencc ha» been convulsed with laughter over aud over again, almost without c s ration, suddenly bn aking out in lo id e\ /t i claiual ion*; but usually tbelr facit a*e UI | unmoved, except as they munch the pea, nuts, sugar canc etc., which are peddledII throughout the room. Often they sink I ln|o dreamy contemplation, under the, . sat’sfyirg influence of a pure Havana oI * their own make.; | The . osturms are a marvel of gaudincst,I but devoid of elegance. The play a ate1 nearly all of bialoric character; flt; bel* stun , plotting (or }K»*se«sion of g« veruiui n‘, o*»t , seiputwea seated on the throne, ipesseti */•*! gers sent out to negotiate, and miu'.-ters betwlt; eu (ho riywl factions. In near f ly every pU there are acrobatic feats if I'm » truly cietiTtaldc cnaraetcr. The ncfr* w Jiirl and double up and turn somcr* ulU, till the modern gymnast is put to shatn^1 here Is no great variety of performer , mI no “stars” on the stag*, but some plat* draw more than others. What is m.»-t striking, these are no female performer*. Men are dteased as women,talk m sing-1 sting tones a ud falsetto voices. The dr-t cention in this respect is greater thau *ny Otissr, aud forcig toys would go sway -I fully convinced that they had listened to , female performers and heard thur »t* lt;•* j tempts to slug, unless tlt; Id to the con- ( ft i .Tfce m'»|ic U simply hort“ !e LIj nh'l® tbg men m ihc au4J'ncc ?nd U»e ! uruhrtlia sit with lufs on, the orchestra |, may have their eogtsoff, working awav | like blacksmiths. The loud cvmbaJ*. (a.i tri*ug'c» guitars. Addles, gong* and ► wind instruments keep up an inccssantjdin , « r scarcely less than Infernal.The Chinese fuaerals are conduote 1 with great pomp. Tbs corpse is aome times plsced on the shie walk, with a roast hog. and many othar rooked article*. Hired mouraershave sheds about them,and two or three priests arejm-isu r» of c* remony. ami an orchestra of thpir hideous music keeps up for hou'g such unearthly sound* as would frigbtcu aw*y all evil sptr'ts.San fraotuco, Od, 24C'xai W. VoxTiaosuins.ii
Newspaper Details
Dunkirk Lake Shore Observer
Dunkirk, New York, US
Fri, Nov 06, 1885
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Princeton U.
NJ, USA 01 Jun 2025
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