New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-13
Il CURIOUS THEATRE.
WHERE ADVANCED DRAMA IS HEARD
BY THE MOST PICTURESQUE
AUDIENCE IN PARIS
From The Pail Mall Gazette.

lCEuVre
ing to the features of this institution which
more especially concern US here a word must
be SAID as to its nature. Since the disappear
arce OF the famous Theatre I.ibre the Theatre
de fOcuvre is the most important OF what the
Parisans term the theatre cote of the .rregu-
iaI thea'res-that Is, whose performances
intermittent and not open to the general public
by payment at the doors. but % subscribers and
-oeadneads The counterpart OF these theatres
In London is the Independent Theatre. Ii must
not be supposed from what follows that the
lheatre de Ip.uvre is more or less fantastic
institution without claim TO be taken seriously.
on the contrary. it has played important
part in recent French dramatic history An ac-
count or the pieces il has produced and Of the
authors 1t has brought into notice would be
most interesting and instructive. but Is beyond
our purpose. which $ to deal with certain side
characteristics Of the performances II. Lusne-
roe mas now been giving for several years
At the Theatre de rCEuvre it some ex-
tent matter of indifference whether the piece
be good bad. whether il interests or bores
you Indeed. IL is some Of the worst plays that
nave procured the spectators the most amuse-
ment. The reason is that whatever is passing
the stage there is always an Immense
amount of entertainment to he got out Of the
audience. In no other theatre in existence is
gatherings formed 10y " I.ugre-Poe's subscrib-
80 li'u Sues,S ~ the SuoScrioerS there Is III,
tie 10 he SAID they are people Of means and
IN many respects are much as other theatre
from what tn French call snobisme they are
curious about many things in connection with
the dramatic art that are beyond ,hc IN ~
the average Phl,.StEe who rcVsis Palais
Royal farce They have been educated UP to
ibsen To the extent. at any rate. Of sitting out
his plays. and they are alive to the portentous
Lcoessity of rcScnerat!ng the drama Still IL
LETT t. themss ives the appearance they would
present would merely be that Of an ordinary
wen-dressed crowd. and they would keep within
bounds Their demonstrations of satisfaction or
1t is the guests of II. Lugne-PoG that make
an audience at the Theatre dc rCEuvre OF
the most picturesque and hveliest gatherings
imaginable Admission il accorded in the most
generous manner. II seats are not forthcom-
the applicant make cut even shadowy
claim to b. interested in advanced" drama. In
consequence the young writer's and nedgIing
artists Of Paris are present 10y the And
they are good To look at and good To listen t..
Genius in France, when very young would con-
slIer ltseH waiting IN set-resnect II II did not
cultivate distinctive 'get-up." The results Of
this striving after outward individuality are
fearful and wonderful The hair. the hat and
the t!e are the matters that receive most atten-
ankles arr in high favor with the privileged few
who can afford them. corduroy trousers OF the
,TS'op Or (" uSS1sh are sreaty anecl-d oy
, personal---very. often NJ Jean Grave in person
in flaming red jersey. The Anarchists too
anarchism is the fashionable opinion Ct the mo-
mcnt-haVe recently adopted n model OF
h2t' but it is made Of moderately hard felt and
its color is black The siouch "briEand' hat
mas ceased To be esteemed Its place has been
taken ~ another soft felt as nearly round
a possible. and not unlike a BARRIERS bowl COM
pleted 10y turned-up rim. This description OF
calotte - worn without the usual adornment OF
Il ribbon. and 10 be a success il should he old
and weatherworn as possible. and dented in
artlStlcaly haphaZard fashion. Top-hats are
admissible il they are in antediIuvian shape.
and are considered particularly satisfactory
hen they are ahnormaly high in the crown
and are finished OF by very broad fat brim.
But the greater glory of these Intellectual young
men is their hair. Words fail TO do Justice
the manifold arrangement Of their locks Length,
Of course. is a primary consideration. but " lille
some of the hirsute sport carefully tended curls
Others so dsheVelled ard yet others seem 10
have taken refuge in 4 wig. The ACCESSIBILITY Of
having beard - responsible for strange sights
IN the shape Of curious developments OF fluff
and thin struggling SrowtEs chins scarcely
old enough for the razor.
These quaint. persons rejoice IN exceedingly
STURDY convictions. They tremendously in
earnest. At the slightest IgeteXt afforded by
what is said On tte stage they break out into n
storm of applause or howls Il Indignation as the
case nay Toe. IS their opinions are almost as
varied as the cut Cf their garments. applause
and cat-callinC are always going the same
ti!s:C. The different schools group themselves
so To give greater force u their deMonstra-
Uo0s. Ey 4 SOFT Of unwritten convention the
Anarchists have acquired right to the gallery
liz the orchestra-thcre Is no bInd-eoregather
q rule the lends Of the author lii one cor
ncr are to be found nothing hut "Symbolist"
poets. in another The "Naturis,s" stand elbow to
elbow. These antagonist groups have only one
istine. IL the more bourgooise section of the
audience shows the least disposition to find a
scene a trne too aUiacious really too incom-
prehe nsible-and such scenes crop up at the
Theatre de ICEuVle-alI Bohemia is in fer
r0ent and sc:ceCkcS Of execratiCn bring the Of
f@rGctS 10 their senses at least reduce them
to silence. The one unpardonaDle crime Is to
laugh at what you listen to. EvSrythinH must
be taken seriously.