The Washington herald., 1909-04-18
ROSTAND'S new PLAY
Some Details of Heralded
Masterpiece Are Told.
aCHANT1CLER" NOT FINISHED
Farmyard Comedy, by Author OF
"CyranO de Bergerae,' Stin I'm Pro-
cess of OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Years
Spent on It Death of COqueIin
Brings New Actor Into Role.

From Tho chief European correspondent Of the
Lafain News Bureau.
London. April l7.-For several years re-
ports about Rostands much-taIked-of
play. "Chanticler." have been printed
from time to time From the beginning
every one knew that the characters rep
resented the various and familiar inhabl-
tants Of the farmyard and were 10 be
dressed as such. Coquelin the elder was
10 take the part OF the chief character.
the cock, and for several years before
his death, recently, ne had delighted his
intimates by reciting passages Of the play
which he thought would be the crowning
triumph Of his life.
With his hands behind his back. his
eyes closed, and not the slightest trace
OF facial expression. COquelin would de-
liver the lines with all the vocal express
sion OF which he was master. Express
sion Of eye, face, or gesture. he would ex-
plain. was impossible. for he would be
dressed as a cock. For a long time this
matter OF dress threatened 20 prevent the
production Of the play. The difficulty
was overcome by William Clarkson, COS
tuner and wigmaker. Of London.
Then IL seemed as II Edmond ROstand
would never complete the play which was
TO give him and COquelin even greater
fame than did "Cyrano de Bergerac. %
AT last il was announced that the play
was all but complete. It was 10 be put
into rehearsal at once Then Coquelin
died.
Guitry TO Take Role.
Since then the question has been who
should play CoqUelin's part. the Cock.
Every famous French actor was sug-
gested. including Sarah Bernhardt. Now
it has been decided that NJ. Gutry shall
play the role and Nine Simon take the
part Of his love. the guinea fowl.
1t is believed that the play. though It
has been in hand for several years. is
not quite finished. II WAS accepted on
the first act and the scenario.
Probably no play has ever been talked
or written Of so much before its produc-
tion as "ChanticieT.' 10 adopt Rostand's
old French spelling OF the word and
such details OF Il as Re known NAV be
interesting. Its FIVE acts are prefaced bv
prologue which IS said 20 be "a work OF
high art in itself
one OF the actors steps before the cur
tam and announces in polished verse that
this IS a play by antamis But the ami
mals are tfmid. he says; they must wait
until the men have gone away. Then.
looking through the curtain. he declares.
The men have disappeared, the play can
begin
The story is concerned with the conceIt
OF the Cock. lie is already q parsonage
Of great consequence, but he wishes TO
increase his reputation among the birds
He. therefore. makes the announcement
that the sun cannot rise without him
His blum succeeds. Every morning there
is fresh proof that the Cocks boast is
true, for dawn is Invariably heralded by
his clarion call.
A Pastoral Mystery.
The proud rooster falls in love with a
guinea fowl. driven 10 him for protec-
ton by the guns OF sportmen. They fee
together 10 nearby forest. and she.
with feminine curiosity. tries 10 extract
his secret Whence comes this mighty
power Of calling Up the sun?
X IS IN way. another case Of Samson
and Delilah- The Cock boasts Of and
explains mis- power, but one day sleep
ing overlong. he fails 10 salute the morn.
The sun rises as usual The result is that
the Cock loses much prestige, being re-
garded as a humbUg. and. as a moral,
pretentiousness Is punished
One OF the daintiest and most amusing
incidents in the play IS said 70 be the
Plot Of the night birds. They hold a tea
party. As there is danger OF being in
terrupted at o'clock in the afternoon.
the hour is changed 10 O'Clock in the
morning. and then they conspire against
his majesty, the Cock.
TIE last act concludes with d line
spoken by the dog. who tells his friends
the birds that a man IS coming. upon
-.-hich The faatkara. .n-,r..-.- 49,.