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This real photograph postcard was published in 1906/07 in the Rotary Photographic Series (no.3283E) by the Rotary Photographic Co Ltd of London. It shows Lilian Hewitson as Shoo-Shoo, W.H. (Billy) Rawlins as Checo, Octavia Barry, Frank Danby as Hang Kee, and Sybil Grey as Miao-Yao in a scene from See-See, the 'Chinese' comic opera by H.E. Broofield, with music by Sidney Jones and lyrics by Arian Ross, with additional music and lyrics respectively by Frank E. Tours and Percy Greenbank (adapted from Fred Gresac and Paul Ferrier's La Troisième Lune), which was first produced at the Princes of Wales's Theatre, London, on 20 June 1906.
It seems likely that this photograph is of cast members from a touring production of See-See. Although Lillian Hewitson and Sybil Grey were in the original London production at the Prince of Wales's, the others were not. Rawlins's Cheoo was played in London by W.H. Berry, succeeded by John Humphries; and Danby's Hang Kee by Huntley Wright.
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'Prince of Wales' Theatre, London, 20 June 1906.
'A simple little plot of cross purposes is that underlying the new comic opera at the Princes of Wales' Theatre. As it is a Chinese play, we expect to get all sorts of quaint philosophical dicta and flowery platitudes: the expectation is not disappoint. The league of maidens known as "The Pearls without Price," of whom the queen is See-See, are of so exclusive a mind that any member disgraces her sisterhood by marrying; love is looked upon as a snare and delusion – so much so that Mai-Yai declares that whoever falls in love falls into quicksand; and, later on, when love is triumphant and matrimony has supervened, one notices the same idea when a husband introduces his wife as "my little bit of trouble." Such wishes as "May your offspring be all sons" and "May you have a hundred children and be grandmother of three hundred" seem, however, to indicate that matrimony is not quite in the neglected state into which one begins to fear it may have lapsed earlier in the play.
'Of course it is inevitable in a Chinese play that people salute the bones of their grandmother and other revered relatives, and also address one another as "Your august Sublimity," etc.
'Mr. Huntley Wright has, unfortunately (for his character for veracity), come across what is called a tree – the Tree of Truth – although he carries it in a small flower-pot (we conclude that the tree is pot-bound, and would do more if it could in the way of development). It, however, makes up for want of exuberance in growth by a nice perception of character, and when in the hands of a supremely fertile liar betrays the fact at once by blossoming forth with little points of light! We much regret to say that it was not long in Mr. Huntley Wright's keeping before this sad result was obtained.
'Very charming songs are sung by miss Amy Augarde, "On the other side of the moon"; Miss Gabrielle Ray, with a skilfully played obbligato on a single-stringed fiddle by Miss Denise Orme (See-See); Miss Adrienne Augarde, "Butterflies"; and Mr. Huntley Wright's "Great Britain" – a topical ditty with a tuneful melody that brings down the house; while duets by Miss Denise Orme and Mr. Maurice Farkoa, a lantern-duet by Miss Gabrielle Ray and Mr. Huntley Wright, a duet and dance by Miss Adrienne Augarde and the indefatigable Mr. Huntley Wright, "If you stroll along the river's dewy side," and a specially attractive and well-written one sung by Yen and one of his father's many wives, give great satisfaction.'
(The Crown, London, Thursday, 28 June 1906, p.335b/c)
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