g
Miss Leigh's friends--with his mechanical parrot cry, "Missis can't
see!"

CHAPTER XVII

AT THE PLAY

Theatrical performances are the chief entertainment in Burma; the
Burmese as a nation delight in plays--operatic, tragic, opera bouffe
and ballets, such as the "Han Pwe," when a number of young girls, all
dressed as royalties, posture and dance with extreme grace; and as
their training is perfect, the entertainment evokes unqualified
applause. So interested and absorbed do the audience become in long
drawn-out dramatic performances, with interludes of dancing and
singing, that they will bring their bedding, and not merely remain all
night but several nights--according as the play may hold them! As a
rule, the background is a palace, and the plot concerns the love story
of a prince and princess, which is interrupted by all manner of
vicissitudes--some grotesque, others of genuine pathos; to these the
accompaniment of soft, wailing Burmese music is admirably adapted.

Po Sine, the greatest actor in Burma--an Eastern "star"--had recently
returned to Rangoon from a prolonged tour, and his admirers, who
numbered thousands, were all agog to see and welcome him.

The principal theatre was established in a large space at the back of
the Great Pagoda, trustfully open to the soft blue night, otherwise
strictly encompassed with matting; for in these changed and
money-making days, there was an official box-office at the entrance and
no admittance without cash payment! The stage was only raised a foot
or two from the ground, and a long row of little lamps threw a becoming
red light upon the scene. Here many rows of chairs were arranged for
the use of Europeans, whilst the Easterns sat upon the ground on mats
and folded themselves up in easy native fashion.

On the first night of Po Sine's reappearance, the arena was packed to
the utmost limit of the matting. In the front were assembled many
European residents, who were treated to bunches of flowers, paper fans,
cheroots and lemonade; also, in a reserved space and on gorgeous rugs,
reclined a number of splendidly attired and bejewelled Burmese
ladies--princesses of the Royal house, a sprightly and animated group;
their flashing diamond combs and long diamond chains made a feature
amid the audience.

Mrs. Gregory had brought a small party, which included Mena Pomeroy,
Robin Close--one of the assistants--and Douglas Shafto, who had never
yet seen the famous Po Si