The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-16

But in the end d'Annunzio will triumph
over his enemies. Already Florence has
shown a greater appreciation of this much
discussed play than IL met with here In
Rome. where there was a vile camorra
to hiss IL down. | think, also, that its sue
cess will increase the farther away from
Rome it gets. 1t is now on its way 10
Turin. Milan, Paris, London and the United
States.
Whatever may be the fate of the play
itself, II will always be worth seeing II
but 10 hear Duse recount her dream-in
which she displays all the sweetness, grace
and refinement of her oiction-and then IN
her scenes with Paul. what caresses are
in her voice! Well may Paul compare it
TO an ode to spring. breathing on the
wOrldi'
Duse has spent $50 900 on this play, but
1 think she will soon be repaid, ~notwithS
standing her heavy travelling expenses and
her large company. And to think OF the
her superb artistic efforts were Kissed by
a camorra that did not give even a minute
OF attention 10 the playa play, let me
add. that those who have read 1T declare
TO be not unworthy Of Dante.
AS for d'Annunzio. he cares as little for
Kisses as he does for applause; he is too
much accustomed 10 both 10 care for either.
And nothing will ever induce him 10 swerve
from his aim to ~re-establish the poetic
drama on the Italian stage, instead OF the
school Of vice. of the French comedies
which other authors are now too often
A novelty at Novellrs Theater is Verga's
1.-The Wolf Chase" Here is the plot: One
stormy night Lollo knocks at the door Of
his own little cottage. His wife, Marian
gela. opens the door, half undressed and
looking very scared. Lollo, who is imme-
diately suspicious, looks into every corner
of the house, followed by his trembling
wife. Finally she picks UP a log of wood.
rs this what you want?" asks the wife.
This and something else answers Lol-
10, watching the kitchen door. and meaning
that If he finds a man in the house he will
kill him like a wolf. The storm increases
and extinguishes the lamp: Mariangela
cries, Where are you Lollo, where are
your"
He is at the door. with his gun ready to
fire. He relights the lamp. His wife tries
TO coax him to stay with her. He resists.
He is going to kill 1.-The WOLF" he says,
and runs off, locking the door behind him.
The lover, who had remained hidden until
then, comes forward-not 10 help the unfor-
tunate woman, but. TO save himself if he
can. Protect met cries the woman. II
have only you now to protect me, If | have
sinned, 1T was for YOU" But he throws her
off and tries 10 escape by the window. She
The front door opens and the lover runs
into the kitchen again. There's a man in
the kitchen cries Mariangela.
Lollo calls to two men without and says,
The wolf is in therei"
Novelli plays the lover. 1t is a savage
play, as nearly all Verga's plays are.
Bracco's Lost in Darkness" another
acts. In the first act we are in a low sing
ing hall in the slums of Naples. A poor,
blind fOndling youth is stunning at the
piano to amuse the customers. His master
ill-treats him and reduces his pay, already
too scare for his few wants. One night he
is dismissed and finds himself without a
friend in the world. A poor, lost girl, pur-
sued by the police. asks his protection, and
they go off together to earn their living,
singing and playing the piano in the
streets.
In the second act we are in the Duke Of
NalleQZa'S house. He is diving of his vices.
He is the unknown father of the poor girl
who has united her life to the blind street
pianist.
Paolina and the blind youth separate. She
can share his poverty no longer, so she re-
turns TO the streets. The blind youth dies.
Such is this unpleasant and immoral
drama. Bracco is a clever author. Why
cannot he write more pleasant things?