Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-15
THE LONDON STAGE.

LONDON, april 8, l9O0.
Haddon Chambers, who wrote 1.-The Tyr
amy of Tears" and "A Modern Magda-
len" has been in the south of France
for the last few months, where he
has been working on the play COM
missioned from him by Nat Goodwin. This
is now almost finished. 1t is comedy, and
probably will be called "Chope's Swagger
Friend" which strikes one as particularly
good title. The story deals with the out
come of passing friendship made on a
dull sea voyage, and Chambers believes that
he has fitted Mr.. Goodwin with a part in
which he will score hugely. This part
probably will be played in London by Ar
thur Bourchier, who produced the last play
of Chambers which was seen here-"The
Golden Silence" This piece had a lot of
good points, but 1t was not success. Since
then Chambers has been represented in the
United States by two plays. his adaptation
Of Bernstein's lie Detour," which he called
The Younger Mrs. Parting" in which
Annie Russell appeared, and "A Modern
Magdalen." played by Amelia Bingham.
His new comedy for Nat Goodwin. how
ever, Is not the only piece that Chambers
has had under way during his stay In the
Riviera. Like many another more or less
serious" dramattst he has succumbed to
the Establishments of musical comedy, and
has been trying his hand at a work Of this
kind, which he prefers however, to de-
scribe as "a comedy with music" Cham
bers says that 1t contains an especially
has not yet been placed on either side of
the water. The music Is being written by
Bernard Rolf, a newcomer. Chambers play
The Tyranny Of Tears is still being acted
in Germany and French version Is about
to be made.
Perhaps the most interesting theatrical
news this week is that Flaubert's great
novel. Madame Bovary," is. about to be
adapted for the stage by Busnach, the
French playwright, who made the famous
dramatic version OF Zola's ''L'Assommoir."
At the first blush one does not exactly see
the making of successful play in Flau-
chiefly literary, but NJ. Busnach evidently
thinks differently. In an interview the
other day he said: cit Is long time since
DR.. Groult, who married Mile. Comman-
me to make play Of the novel. 1t was
thought that might be as successful with
Bovary' as with L'Assomnnoir.' / agreed
but was deferred by one obstacle. I could
not find the right actress for the heroine
Re1ane is not Bovary. Still less is Madame
Bernhard. but the other day I went to
the Gymnase and saw Madame LIE Bargy
for the first time. found her delightful.
feet Bovary.' / proposed the part to her
and she accepted" M. Busnach is now
working at his adaptation. 1t is greatly
to be hoped that it will be successful. and
that an actress may be found to play the
part in the United States.
When some comparisons were made In
these letters last week between Jean Richie
pins '.Du Barri,' at the London Savoy,
and David Belasco's play on the same sub
ject. 1t was assumed that ID. Richepin must
have been fairly well satisfied with the
Savoy version of the work-0n the ground
that after attending the rehearsals he oc-
cupied box at the first night performance.
This assumption proves to have been cor
rect NJ Richepin. who has returned to
Paris having sent Mrs. Brown Potter .
letter expressing his appreciation OG the