|
In 1938-39 Chang (by this time he had dropped the Li Ho) toured Australia and New Zealand. This printed program shows what his show was like then:
In a Bewildering and Astounding Magical Spectacle and Revue. A TRIP TO HADES Chang, the mysterious and enigmatic personality from the Orient will present a complete two-and-a-half-hour performance, transplanting the audience to the enchanted regions of mystery. "A Trip to Hades" is a fantastic vision in two acts with special scenery and music by Ernesto Lecuona and other noted composers. This spectacle is conceived and staged by CHANG; dance arrangements by Joanna Claire; special scenery by Silvo Bermejo, Buenos Aires; Eclipse Studio, New York; and Wing Hong, Canton, China. Programme
First Part
The High Priest: Chang
In the forbidden Palace of Pekin, the Great Emperor Ming had forbidden his daughter San Li Tay to ever see or marry the charming Prince Yuang. The Great High Priest Chang is instructed to watch over the Princess and keep all persons of the outside world from seeing her.
One day the brave Prince Yuang, disobeying orders, penetrated the forbidden Palace and in the garden found his Princess. At the strains of distant music the Princess heard hera Prince Charming's song of love and in that happy moment, they met and sang and danced to the sweet melodies of romance. In the midst of their joy they were discovered by the High Priest Chang, and seeing their disobedience to the Emperor's wishes, he has the Prince imprisoned and punishes the Princess in a Ceremony of Sacrifice.
The grief-stricken Prince escapes his prison, comes back to the Palace only to find taht the Princess has vanishes and her companions are pleading to the High Priest. Chang, realising how much the Princess is loved by all, repents and uses his great magical powers to make the Princess appear again from out of nowhere into the two Sacred Coffers. He presents her to the Prince Yuang an they live happily for one hundred years on the throne of the Sons of Heaven. Intermission |
Second Part
As can be seen, Chang's show was in the "review" style with ballet numbers separating magic sections. There was also singing and Chang's illusion sketch, The Enchanted Princess. Chang had first produced his magic show as a review in Mexico City in 1935, when he dropped the Li Ho from his stage name and became Chang. A review of Chang's appearance in Australia can be found in the book Magical Nights at the Theatre by Charles Waller. Chang's finale was the blackout Spook Show stunt of the dancing luminous skeletons which he had in his show as far back as the mid 1920's. According to his own words, this feature made his show a big success. This was a signature piece in Chang shows throughout the years. In a later phase in his career it was moved to the end of the first part. See the details of his 1948 show in Barcelona, Spain.
|