July 1957 School Magazine

Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Magc:zine

july, 1957

July, 1957

Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Magazine

SOLUTION

A VISIT TO THE CHINESE CLASSICAL THEATRE The lights grow dim, and we, the audience, watch curi- ously as the rich red curtains part slowly to disclose to our appreciative eyes all the splendour of the "Chinese Classical Theatre." First we are to see the "Lotus Dance," an exquisite, delicate interpretation of flowers on a lily pond. The lotus flower symbolises youth and beauty. The appearance of ruffled water is obtained by the almost imperceptible motion of the flowers as they sway rhythmically. The eight lotus flowers are joined by a ninth, their queen, and they all dance with joy and protect each other from the sun. Next comes the "Tea Picker's Dance," derived from an o ld Fukien folk dance. A group of young g irls· are picking tea . As twilight descends they a re about to turn homeward when a gaudy butterfly, flitting provocatively, catches their eye. They give it merry chase. This is essentially a story to show the coming of spring. "Where Three Roads Meet," an old Chinese story, por- trayed with brilliant satire and wit the d ifficulties of a duel in complete darkness. The Chines·e rarely use stage properties so the illu2ion of darkness Js created by the skill of the actors. Excellent acrobatics also play a major part in this comedy. One of the most curious features of the Chinese Theatre is the orchestra, composed of a ll manner of queer s·ounding, sometimes raucous wind and reed instruments. It plays just off stage and at intense moments its loudness becomes unbear- able. The Chinese Theatre has s·omething of an old world air a nd charm about it, and the whole performance has an inde- scribable polish, as it should, for the actors must train for many years before entering it. It is many hundreds of years o ld and its very age lends it romance. Seemingly ageless, it still affords as· admirable an entertainment now as it did in previous centuries .

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DESPAIR

-JANET THOMSON, IV D.

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