Mexico weekly ledger., 1908-08-13
Rostand,s Barnyard Play


Paris, Aug. 6.--The sensation OF the
coming theatrical season will be the
production OF q new play in verse oy
M. Edmond Rostsnd with the title,
"Chantlcleer:"
Eight years have passed since Nine.
Bernhardt produced with world wide
success his Napoleonic play, "L'Alg
Ionn and rumors OF the new play have
been whispered ever since. But poets
are VIGOROUSLY caprlcious, and M.
Rostand, who has mo 'seyerer critic
than himself, was Jealous Of his repu-
tation as the greatest dramatist OF bis
generation.
Now all difficulties have been over
come aud NM Jean Coquelin and
Hertz, the managers of::the Porte st.
Marten theater, who are the proud
possessors OF the worlds rights In the
play, have received the completed
manuscript. For this they have PAID
the unprecedented price Of $4,000 on
account OF authors royalties.
NO HUMAN CHARACTERS.
1t is not only In the matter OF its
price, however, that this play is
unique. Its title, "Chanticleer,'
gives an index to Its character but
would hardly convey the fact that not
a single human being figures In the
cast This is composed entirely OF
birds and animals, the ordinary deni-
zens Of a farmyard, in which the
scene OF the play Is laid.
The common tarmyard cock is the
hero OF this poetic drama, and a fine
hero, too, since NJ. Coquelin aine Is to
interpret him In Paris. The golden
pheasant is the heroine, and when II
is added that its gorgeous plumage
will conceal the personality OF Nine.
Slmone lie Bargy; that M. Jean Co
Quelin is to growl poetry as the old
watchdog, and that many actors
scarcely less renowned on the boule'
wards are TO assume DISCUSSES no less
fantastic, 1t is apparent that all the
ingredients OF a pretty plot have beer
selected.
PROBLEMS FOR ACTORS
Into the details Of the story 1t would
be unfair to enter lat present, but II
may at least be limited that the plol
hinges on the jealousles OF this AMI
NAL kingdom. In spite Of che limita'
tlons with which he has herd sur
rounded himself, NJ. Rostand has
woven around his fantastic scheme !
web Of poetry, Of drama, and Of phil
osophy which all who have been pri
vileged to hear 1t unhesitatingly de
clare to be a unique piece Of dramatic
llterature-exquisitely written ant
ordered with an amazing sense o.
dramatic effect.
The mental hurdles which the ORA
matist has set up Iare easy work, how
ever, compared with the physical i'm
pediments which be has set In the patti
Of the actors. Not merely have they Il
i~mpersonate birds-they must be a
such. Only the actors face and yoict
will be left to him, but Ia spite Of ap.
parent difficulties every n concerned
looks forward TO a triumph at thu
Porte st. Martin In the autumn.
IN ENGLAND AND AMERICA
AS for the English and American
productions, a trife Of $4,000 on &C
count Of royalties is required Of thu
manager who would essay it. THAI
fact has not prevented keen competi-
tion among the likeliest land the IN.
likelist) actors and managers: and ar.
engagements are practically concluded
by which productions will be made
almost simultaneously with the Pari
sian premiere in London and New
York with two of the best known
English speaking actors 10 the princI
pal part. The English version Of the
play will be made in verse by Mr.. Louis
Parker, whose translation Of ~
AiRlon" takes rank with the master.
pieces Of translation.