3-021-359 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Sketches in Japan: the theatre at Osaka, 1868. Japanese theatres '...are very large, and are built on the same plan as ours, with pit, boxes, and gallery; the musicians sit in a corner of the stage, and there is a matted way that runs through the pit on to the stage, along which the actors now and then disport themselves...The acting lasts all day and nearly half the night, whilst people eat, drink, and smoke without leaving the play...The dresses of the actors are also superb and very costly. The acting is exceedingly good, especially that of the tragedies; one sometimes sees the whole female audience weeping at the pathetic scenes. Feats of athletic strength and skill are displayed here...You see in the pit the counterpart of our women crying, 'Oranges, lemonade, sodawater, and bill of the play;' but without the soda-water, and lemonade. The audience here applaud by yells, and clap their hands when they want the next piece to begin. After every act a great scramble of children takes place; they all rush on the stage to see how it looks inside; an innocent curiosity, which the actors allow them to gratify...in fact, the whole entertainment is great fun and very amusing.' From "Illustrated London News", 1868.