New-York tribune., 1906-12-31
PARIS FIRST NIGHTS.
Li0ely Scenes in Theatres When
Nezc Plays Are Produced.

portance- In the past fortnight no less than
twelve new plays reviews have been pro-
duced at the Paris theatres. These occasions
have flavor of their own. and 1t was the good
fortune of the present writer to have piloted a
young married couple from New York amid this
maze OF dramatic bewilderment. which they
found so different from anything Of the kind at
home that their impressions seem likely to in
terest theatregoing people in New York. for
these Partisan premieres full OF surprises
and destinations for foreigners who witness
them for the first time. The interest is by no
means centred on the stage. Leading men and
women in politics. literature. art, fashion or
bohemtanism will be found collected in tho
theatre and sitting a self-constituted Areo-
pagus TO pronounce judgment not only upon the
new play. but also upon the latest triunphs OF
millinery and dressmaking. The present Prime
Minister. NJ. Clelnenceau. seldom misses :. pre-
miere, and between the acts important political
conversations are often held the neutral
ground Of the playhouse.
The premiere is. moreover. a field night for
smart Partisan women. Almost any perform
ance at Paris theatre is a pretty sight, so
fish and in such simplicity of taste the
toilets; ALL however, are IN visiting dress. ex-
cert at the C2era, Opera Comique. Theatre
Francais, Treatre Sarah Bernhardt and the new
Theatre Rejare. the latest and most Luxurious
exT %tai+ton or PariSliLn tlSte ana comfort ana
yShero the women in 80 orchestra stalls wear
evenin.- gowns. often decolletee and without
hats. In the boxes and l3lcony one frequently
| sees srnartly dressed women in irw neck dinner
dresses weari~g beautiful hats. l'he efesct is
| graceful and artistic. On the first nights. how
| ever. IN ey cry part of the house. from roof to
| floor, are exc 4isitely dressed women, sparkling
| In jet y and rare gems In the orchestra stalls
heads are bare adorneI with sprays of pearls.
.faras Of d,-i:ncnds clusters OF rubes or en-
! eralds. " he balconies and boxes gowns fresh
! from the ateliers IN the Rue de la ak are
crowned With wonderful hats, and multi-colorec
feathers nod and wave with the emotions Of
! their wearerS Instead Of tiaras, the women IN
| the balconie marvellous necklaces ropes
| Of pearls and flashing pendants
Directly you enter the house you see that
| something unusual = on foot Leaving their
! rich furs with the arp faced old women
| veritable harpies. tho scourges of the Paris
| theatre-who. under the pretext Of taking care
| OF your wraps carry a kind OF licensed men
| dicancy at the cloak room-women stroll round
| the corridors with their attendant cavaliers,
meeting friends at every step. None dream OF
taking possession Of their seats until the electric
stage bell rings through the house
When the curtain goes up the seats arc filed
with a silent attentive and critical audienoe
who are seldom led away by admiration for
| particular artist to applaud weak play But
| If the author makes hit it Is acknowledged In
| stantly and spontaneously. Then the curtain
falls but rises again to enable the leading actor
| or actress to announce the name Of the author Of
| the play.
| This first interval IS busy All rise from
| their places Groups form, greetings and intro
| ductions are exchanged, the sprinkling of Cabi-
net Ministers gravitate together. men in tucked
| lehi rt stalls boxes.
! and a procession then forms to the foyer Every
| theatre has Its foyer. or hall for promenadtng.
| AT tho Opera House Il is large and spacious; at
| the Opera Comique 1t IS dainty and gay. The
latest Paris theatre, opened by Nine. Rejane on
tbe fifteenth of this month. has perhaps the pref
tiest and most spacious of all. WITH IN addition.
| G. gallery for orchestra
! In few minutes the foyer is crowded and a
lively buzz OF conversation is going on. This is
the trna to the latest creations OF the dress
makers This. indeed. is Vanity Fair. at its
prettiest- its most attractive and it's best.
Beauty holds court, compliments are exchanged,
appointments made. The play is forgotten; the
function has changed into conversations.
In these brilliant assemblies element Is
| conspicuous ny its absence. II is that of the
Partisan girl. Society debutantes go little to
plays, except to classical nlatinees at the Fran
Gals. Still less would their parents dream of
taking them TO prenl1ereS, Indeed, few plays
performed the Paris stage at all suited
| for the mind of the marriageable young girl.
Therefore. a premiere although the house is
filed with youth and beauty. 1t is with youth
and beauty ripened by philosophical reflection or
experience.
In the second interval number OF persons
remain in their seats. especially In the boxes and
| this is the time for paying calls. By this time
all have found their friends and can go and chat
in comparative privacy with them. Very good
critics these people BY the end of the SEQ
ond aot judgments are formed. and either sue
cess is assured failure predicted
In the third interval there is demand for
| refreshments. Boxes of chocolates are opened
and the festive supper party at some fashion
able restaurant which is to close the evening
is arranged. Back in their places the brilliant
company closely watch the last act. applaud, IL
they think the situation deserves it. and when
the curtain falls for the last time. and the stars
| of the cast have made their last bows the
house empties If my magic. the lovely frocks
and pretty wearers melt into the night and the
premiere is over.
1t may be noted that the strange reports cir
| culated abroad. according to which an enter
prtsing Armenian had set up voting apparatus
| leaving might. with little trouble cast votes as
or bad. purely imaginative. No such ap-
| paratus has been seen at any of the leading
theatres In Paris. and inquiries among theatri-
| cal managers indicate that such an invention
would not be likely to become popular in Paris.
hurry to consider it worth while to express their
onnions Of he n1ay can readily n