The Saint Paul globe., 1903-11-08
CENSOR FORBIDS
PLAY KING ENJOYED
Edward VII. Saw ''The Other
Danger" in Paris, but 1t Is
Enjoined In London.

LONDON, Nov. There is one
highly interesting little point in con-
nection with the stage censor's refusal
to allow Duse to give 1.-The Other Dan
ger" in London that seems to have been
generally overlooked here-though it
is possible that writer's have thought
1t safer to let it pass without com
ment. 1t was exactly this piece by
Maurice Donnay which King Edward.
the censors own boss, expressed spe-
cial desire to see when on his recent
visit to Paris and which his majesty
did see, and with apparent enjoyment,
at a special performance at the Thea.
tre Comedie Francais.
Perhaps Mr.. Bedford forgot that lit
tie circumstance, otherwise he prob-
ably would have pocketed his scruples
and allowed Signora Duse TO produce
the French piece without comment, for
it clearly is rather contradictory
state of things if British playgoers gen
orally are not to be allowed to see a
play which their sovereign goes out OF
his way to patronize while on his tray-.
els. Possibly the matter may pass en-.
tirely unnoticed, but otherwise the CEN
sor Is likely to be caused some embar-
rassment and his position will not be
made any more agreeable by the fact
that the public hasn't yet forgotten
him for his action at the beginning Of
Duses season in refusing her per-
mission to give la Citta Morta" be-
fore English audiences.
1t must be said in Justice to Mr..
Redford, however, that the theme, of
The Other Danger is not one OF the
most wholesome. The story concerns
the inevitable woman, lover, and hus-
band dear to the heart Of the French
playwright. To the ladys mind, the
husband embodies the first danger.
But she has daughter, too, who is
just coming to Womanhood, and she
Is 'the other danger"-the mother see.
ing in her likely rival for the affec-
tions of her paramour. These maternal
fears are realized, too, the lover elect
ing to cast himself at the daughters
feet, but, If one remembers correctly
the girl sends Don Juan to the right
about and so all parties are we'll quit
Of him.
Would Reform the Theater.
Now that William Archer, as dra-
matte critic, has been joined by Mr.. Pi-
nero, as playwright, in his mission Of
be instructive to see if any sweeping
changes will come to pass in the time
honored customs appertaining thereto.
Certainly, it would be sight for the
gods-no reference to the gallery being
intended-to behold an English audi
ence sitting down to enjoy a. play in
ordinary dress, as Mr.. Archer wants it
to do, and, what is more. sitting down
at o'clock. as Mr.. Pinero would like,
instead of at SIS or $3.50.
The point made by the author of
"Quex" and Lefty" at the Mansion
house the other night was. Of course,
that in London at present dinner plays
hob, so to speak, with the drama. Peo-
pie. would not hurry away from the
joys Of the table and in consequence
they got to the play late and were able
to form only an imperfect Idea of what
it was all about. Moreover, the grow
ing lateness of the dinner hour resulted
in corresponding lateness in the hour
at which the curtain could fall on the
last act of the piece.
So Mr.. lPinero suggested that thea
tergoers should take only what he
called a high tea" before the play,
which then could commence at and
be over by 10, but should make up for
this by having square meaI' after
the theater. Theater managers say
they are willing to do their part, but
as the before theater dinner at a res
taurant is now half the fun of going to
the theater, that is, from society's point
Of view, it is doubtful if it will be sur
rendered in favor Of a tea-hoWever
high"
Comedy for Olga Nethersole.
The definite announcement that Mrs.
Craigie has written new play which
1ro NV irT1
a rumor which has been going about
for some time. 1t seemed rather doubt
full, for gossip declared that the play
was a comedy, which, it needs not to be
said, is by no means the sort of thing
most in Miss Nethersole's line. Now,
however, we have the authors own
assurance that "The Flute Of Pan" as
she calls her work, is a sure enough
comedy, in four acts-the scene being
laid out Of England-and Miss Neither
sole announces that she will give the
piece an early production at Birming-
ham, bringing it to London later on.
A play which Americans are likely
to see is '"The Adversary" the latest
piece of Alfred CapuS, author of The
Two Schools" E. S. Willard having
bought both the English and American
rights.
Seymour Hicks, who got back the
other day from MS nasty VISIT TO tne
United States, brought back with him
several Of the latest American coon
song successes which he means to in
troduce into his Christmas play at the
Vaudeville. which it has just been de-
cided to call 1.-The Cherry Tree"
The fact that over 10000 applications
have been received from people who
want to be present on the opening
night of the new Gaiety theater in the
Strand gives some idea Of the public
interest in this theatrical event.
IMposTOR USED THE