We have not, however, ventured to introduce any of our sages to theater audiences.
The theater in China is a much simpler affair than in America.

The residents in a locality unite and erect a large stage of bamboo and matting, the bamboo poles are tied with strips of rattan, and all the material of the stage, excepting the rattan, can be used over again when it is taken down.

Most of the audience stand in front of the stage and in the open air, the theater generally being in front of the temple; and the play, which often occupies three or four days, is often performed in honor of the god's birthday.

There is no curtain, and there are no stage accessories.

The audience is thus enabled to concentrate its whole attention on the acting.