New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-11-03
VOLCANO ON STAGE.
Shozcn in NeU Play on Mont Pelfe
Disaster IN Paris.
Paris. October "a.

Theatre Antoine now under the management Of
NJ. Gemier, is the latest and most typical de-
velopment OF the efforts of NJ Andre de Lorde.
who is credited with sounding new and hob
goblin note in French dramatic literature. NJ.
Andre de Lorde Is young and genial librarian
of the Bibiotheque de rArsenal, whose mirth-
full. sympathetic countenanoe bears no trace of
the narrowing situations and uncanny charac-
tiers Of his tragedies OF Alright. Shudder and
Shock A few years ago people went TO the
theatre to laugh or to cry, but the popularity
of NJ Andre de LOrde's dramas seems to JUSTIFY
his theory that nowadays men and women
owing to the nervous tension of up-to-date life
go to the playhouse to be petrifed with fright.
to faint away through fear. M Andre de
Lordes writings seem largely inspired by Ed
gar Allan Poe and by Bauldelaire. His adapta-
ton of Poe's System of Doctor Goudron." his
f,rewsome curtain raisers, "Au Telephone" LA
Derniere Torture" La Mutt Rouge" and the
submarine torpedo boat tragedy entitled EN-
Plongee" by NM. Lauman and Oliver, are
among the most striking examples of the real
istic, hobgoblin species Of plays created by NJ
Andre de Lorde
THE Land Of Terror" written by this skilful
manipulation of theatrical nerve-shakes in col
alteration with NJ Eugene Morel, is a catas-
trophe in three acts. It is a cnemetographic
description of the eruption of Mont Peee and
the destruction of Martinique. The principal
actor is the volcano. The first act shows the
Governor of Martinique seated on the veranda
of his cottage delighted to welcome his mar
ried daughter, just returned from Paris with
two grandchildren whom he had not seen be-
fore Young folks chat. play the latest Pa
risan waltzes, and firt. In the horizon across
the bay is seen the bright little village OF Saint
Pierre: Mont Pelee looms in the background,
emitting real smoke and occasional volcanic
sparks. The volcano fairly hypnotizes the
public, and the effect is heightened by faint
aCrid fumes waited adroitly from the stage to
the auditorium. A scientist returns from the
volcano. announces that the eruptions in
creasng and predicts danger. But the NUM-
cipal elections. which 10 take place the next
day. absorb every ones attention. The fort
nightly arrival Of the French mail steamer
brings the executioner who has come to gull
lotine half-breed assassin. named Sprido.
who is imprisoned in dungeon. The execution
is fixed for the following morning.
The volcano smokes and smokes The show
ers of lava become moro frequent. A clap
of thunder is heard. The sky darkens. The
crater. now red Is the source of rivers of
fire. The smoke becomes jet black. the vapors
sulphurous. and rain falls in big,
heavy splashes The piano ceases. The young
officers and the sprighuy young women step
about nervously. The telephone brings news
Of the destruction OF the village OF Saint
Pierre. a few moments later the electric wires
cease to work The Governor heroicaly sets
forth 10 succor the victims. leaving his family
I'm fancied security Shortly after his departure
the volcano bursts forth with violence
more terrific. Dark. poisonous vapors sweep
down from Mont Pelee There is an avalanche
OF sparks. sizzling mud lava and red hot
stones. Blasts of green and crimson gases per-
meate the villa. The members OF the Governors
family stretch forth their arms in anguish. be-
come Hvid. gasp in agony they breathe the
poisonous gases. and fall rigid. when death
ensues from asphyXiation The illusion seems
complete The effect is terrific
The second act shows the underground prison
beneath the Governors house. The prisoners
unaware Of the catastrophe caused by the vol
canic eruption, clamor for food and light think
ing they have been forgotten by the keepers.
BY their united efforts they succeed in pulling
down the door Of the dungeon, already shaken by
fallen ruins. They start back I'm horror as they
ARE confronted with the asphyxiated corpse
of the guardian. which remains upright. sup
ported by the prison wall. The toxic atmos-
phere penetrates the prison. and another real
isic death scene ensues.
The third act is tho return of the Governor
from the volcano. where he and his followers
unwttingly escaped death because they were
d''N' 'ilc 4'N'l VI tIlt POISONOUS 'lputS OF gas
The volcano smokes away as usual and the
violent cruptions have ceased The surrounding
ruin and desolation admirably presented.
Landing parties of bluejackets hasten TO and
fro at the command of bugle calls. as they
shoot down those who pilage and rob prel-
ate who accompanies a rescuing party work
ing with pick and shovel. salutes the Governor
Governor Of what? of forty thousand
corpses"' queries the brave functonary. driven
about him.
The Governor discovers the blackeoed site
of his former villa. In the desperate hope THAI
his daughter may stin he alive beneath the
ruins. he places his head to the ground and
shouts, Jeanne. jeanne" \ faint groan is
heard. The rcscuing party dig out a human
body, frightfully maneled. but still alive can
this be the beautiful Parlsienne? No it proves
to be the half-caste assassin Spirido. whose
death by the guillotine had been arranged 70
take place on the very morning Of the eruption.
Sprido-the facts set forth in the official
reports Of tho catastrophe-was saved by being
confined in the cell reserved for prisoners con-
demned to death. which is situated so far be-
low the street level that it remained free from
the poisoned atmosphere. This wretched Spirido
was the only human being in that part of the
town who escaped death.
Nearly all the theatregoers of Paris will go to
see this play at least once. The scenery IS in
tensely realistic. The play is admirably acted NJ
GGm!er is remarkable in the part of the Gov
ernor. But where is the play? Is the Partisan
public following the example of the Romans
of the decadence. who turned away from the
plays OF Terence 10 the horrors of the circus.
with its dying gndators? Shakespeare at
times makes the public shudder but-for in
stance, III the storm scene of King Lear" the
tempest of nature corresponds with another