The San Francisco call., 1897-06-27
EXCLUSIVELY FOR WOMEN
A Novel Theater Now Being Constructed in
Paris.

The first and the only woman's theater
o. which the world has ever known is be-
ing constructed in Paris. The place or
site is adjoining he ladies' club known as
the Cercle Piealle, near Montmarfre In
France it will be the Theatre Feministe,"
which means theater for women, by
women, and in the interests of women
only. There is only one weak spot
is the fact that the manager is
are the soul Of the enterprise, say he
will not count, as, like the rest of his sex,
be will merely be their slave.
Au serieux. though, 1t is to be genu-
inc place for women. The White Theater
where only plays of absolute purity were
to be tolerated, was the first entrance of
women into the managerial capacity of
the theater. This victory gave such con-
fidence to the women that they were de-
tcrmIned to star their own ideas exclus-
iyely, and the result is the Theatre Fem
iniste. The establishment is not 10 be
limited. No pent-Up France viii contine
It's powers, and the ladies of eV-ry coun-
Try VIII be at liberty TO air their griev-
ances, assert their privileges and defend
their interests through the medium of the
drama or the opera.
For long time the question of manage
ment was discussed pro and cen by the
mem bers Of the club which had the or
ganization OF the theater project in hand.
Opinion was divided, not as TO the ability
of woman TO take enLire charge OF every
detail, but as to whether it would not be
wise to have some man to do the drudgery
and let honor and glory be the lot OF the
women. Finally il was decided that if a
man could be found who would face the
prospect he should be engaged OH he spot.
AS the Frenchman is fond of excitement
and loves 10 brave adventure the neces-
sary male was easily discover, d, and has
already become the Adam in this other
wise Adamless Eden.
1t is provided in The agreement that he
shall receive instructions from the execu.
live committee of the board OF directors,
which is com posed of five women. Thus
far he has accomplished the unparalleled
feat of pleasing all five. and is very popu-
lar. The circulars or advance announce
ments OF the theater and its purposes 30
not bear the name of the manager, but
state that the theater is under the sole
. control OF Tue UOdl u VI OA4CSbC1si COAl-
nosed entirely of women. They further
state that only plays treating OF woman S
rights will be presented, unless some spe-
cially good play by woman receives the
Endorsement of the committee.
Another committee OF the directors
bears the title of committee on plays. Its
duty is to pass on all plays which are pre-
sented to it, slit the wheat from the chan,
and then submit its selections to the full
board OF directors for approval. Each
,lav is 10 be read through to the board,
and then, to insure acceptance, the
authoress, or possibly the author, must
Incorporate all suggestions OF the board
Tbe unkind men who have heard OF this
-,roi.ct saw that he who runs and reads
nav attend one performance, but that he
" bo reads will run after seeing second
announcement thereof.
Aside from the manager the only con-
diIions under which men can hope to OBJ
tain a little scrap of the success which
this theater, according TO its projectors.
ia sure to attain, is to write plays or mu-