New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-15
"PARSIFAL" IN LEE-AvE., BROOKLYN.
COrsc Payton Presents Wagner's Production
as an English Play.

At his Lee Avenue Theatre, In Brooklyn. yester-
day afternoon. Corse Payton made his locally
heralded dramatic production OF "Parsifal' in
English. and the theatre Aled quite full at
both performances in honor OF tho occasion. though
"Parsifar' prices prevailed. Orchestra seats for
the matinee usually sold for % cents commanded
20. and there corresponding soar in prices
Tor the evening. There were no Spectators how
ever.
Mr.. Paytcn himself did not appear IN the cast
The title part taken by kirk Brown Mrs
Paytoa was prevented by illness from appearing
as Kundry. too. part played by Miss Grace Fox.
But even without its favoTitos on the stage. Lee
ave has made SUFFICIENT call the box Office 20 MI
the house for two weeks 70 come. though one week
as a rule IS the length OF any engagement at this
theatre
Whatever the curious had expected-and there
were many who went over from Manhattan yesteT-
day out OF curiosty-Mr. Payton probably disap-
pointed then He did not try 10 reconstruct Par
STAR Into a play; he had the perhaps greater
aues,'ty to put one Of ths numerous English
trausIatlons q Wagner ub-etto unchanged on the
stage arS Furthermore. Increasing his orchestra 10
twenty men, re caused the Grail and flower music
20 be SUNG and used Iberal slices OF the score FOR
incidental musls well OF course. the text was
cut considerably. but even al that Il was probably
tho longest play leave ever sat through
But the audience did sit through f.. end geve /;
its undivided and respectful attention M tay-
toms scenery was fearful and wonderful 20 &c
sf,rs vet everything that done a. the Opera
House he attempted TO DO and ths tolerant a'ii-
ence through the garish pastebosrd srd creahins
mechanism, could at least catch an uninistaka7.o
cllumer - Wagrsr's scenic intent His company
had had only five rehearsais 60 further allowance
must be made The orchestra. however. made tp
OF Germans reaearsed chcerfuiy ali day sunday
glad OF an opportunity 20 play such music. and
its zeal ia performance was certainly commencaole
Mr.. Payton somehow obtained three or four OF MS
flower girls 50 he says, from Mr.. Conrieds chorus.
ana they dressed as attendants OF the Grail sang
the boy choir music (from the siaGcD In me
temple scenes and led the other flower girls IN
singing tho song OF the flower Eaidons around
ParsifaL The singing q the Grail knights was
an alright TO the ear. but the singing or these
girls was sufficiently well emitted to give Lee-aVe.
a tangible X feetins, illusion OF OPERA and II Ger
tail.ly arousoi considerable enthusiasm.
or "ParsifaT' play or Of the acting thereol
Il surely cannot b6 necessary TO SPEAK. 'PaF7'-li
was not written as play. and only the advertising
value TO other managers OF the discussions MI
pre-cntcd. Mr.. PaytOu himself said ycSitIdd..
know as a play IT'S a gold brick but then. you &C.
I'm sold out fO- two weeksI The actors dld 'hets
best 10 give Il as much as possible lke INC - .5L
knock knped. assumed the firm umbed secHrllt OF
Innocence and repealed Kundry with me ueleI
Tho audience became n Ilue WedIisI az
Ilurdrv's refusal to remain rcDeuec ana ueI re
I'eatei' retil-ns to her task and old GurncnaI'z
was hardly n favOrite- But on lLt, MI.lt-, 'i' .
,re-tators appeared to enjoy the performance OF
me plav as well the music. -. g.
Mr. PAXTON says that when this enEa5e iet.s -
over however ana the curiosity o. ms pd ttp
satisfied, he viii turn his scenery !hlo S'ii'''''9
more useful FOR everyday purposes