Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from The Way of Yu-Soo: A Play in the Chinese Style
When the play is about to begin Property M an appears between curtains bearing Chinese gong, which he strikes three times slowly at center of stage, in front of curtains, three times L. And three times R. He stands R. As Chorus appears between curtains, stands at center and addresses audience.
Chorus: Exalted friends, I humbly crave your par don for forcing myself upon your august attention. I bow to Heaven, Earth and Man. (bonus to right, left and center, saying as he does so) I bow, I bow, I bow.
It is my honorable pleasure to tell you the theme of our poor play, which deals not with Emperors, Lords, or otherwise exalted personages, but with honorable and ordinary individuals such as I who weary your sublime ears. Ours is a story of filial duty and great love. Yoursympathies will be honorably commanded by our hero, and your eyes will fill with tears as you behold his sor rows and perplexities. You will be moved to sublime anger by our heroine, although you will be certain to admire her. I humbly ask you to remember, before your condemnation is complete, that even in our Celestial King dom a maiden must dissemble, covering exalted emotions with bitter, scornful words.
You will not find your august minds in sympathy with our two mothers; but our customs are not as yours. With us mothers still have authority, and, especially when they are happily widows, are the heads of their families.
Let your exalted emotions move you as they will as the tale unfolds. If you are honorably seized with mirth, forget not that sombre sorrow may swiftly overtake you. When your precious tears fall copiously to the ground, take comfort in the thought that the Way of Yu-soo is the way to happiness and sublime contentment.
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