New-York tribune., 1909-02-21
PLAYS FOR CHILDREN
Paris Theatres Especially Conducted
for Their amusement.

Opinions may be divided to the wisdom OF
having children take part in plays. but only the
sernest Puritan doubts that 1t Is good for chlio
to see a pretty innocent play or pantomime. The
trouble in most cities is that there so few
pIavs to which children can be taken. or which
they would enjoy. It isn't every day that a peter
Pan" IS put the boards.
Lucky therefore are the children OF Paris. for
whose special benefit theatre has been construct
ed Here every Sunday and every Thursday after
noop-sunday and Thursday being the French
school holidays-are given matinees for the benefit
OF the boys and girls Sometimes there are plays
fairy plays. short comedies, anything that VIII
appeal 10 children. Then there are songs. mono
Iogues. shadow pictures and the omnipresent cine
matograph Clowns and trained animals and magl-
clans are to be seen there, too.
The idea is a new one, and the theatre is an ex-
pertinent as yet. but it seems to work well Every
Thursday and Sunday sees the five hundred seats
or so OF the theatre filled. every one with a de-
lighted audience OF youngsters and their chape-
rons The grown-ups who accompany the children
appear to enjoy the thing much their
charges do and really It is a pretty sight; and the
prettiest part Of it. perhaps, is the audience
The theatre is owned and managed by the pub
fishers Of large magazine for women. BY an in
genous OF space. 1t IS situated in the publish
ing house Of the magazine. and that without sac
rhcing a single lighted room. The parQuet floor Is
underground and the gallery on the street level
Private dramatic clubs are constantly renting the
chndren's matinees which. of course. helps to make
Il paying investment. Never was there play
house with atmosphere so gay so free and
happy as this theatre Is two afternoons a week
The walls prettily decorated in soft gray and dun
gold ring with bursts of childish laughter. Now an
excited boy jumpc from his seat as the magician
changes his handkerchief into a white rabbit Now
his little sister gives soft shrieks OF delight to see
that the magIcian's hat has mysteriously turned
into little pig. Or perhaps the story Of Aladdin
Is dramatically told by a clever reciter while the
incidents are pictured by means OF the magic IAN
terms and animated shadows behind screen
Occasionally in the afternoon comes recess OF
ten minutes during which the children walk about
to stretch their limbs gather in gay groups TO
talk about the wonders they have seen INN
maids in black gowns trip up and down the aisles
with baskets Of cake and candy TO sell. and the
children MUNICH and chatter. while behind the cur
tain the stage hands dart to and fro, rearrang1ng
the scene for another little play This time per
hans IL is what the French call a 'concours,
kind Of guessing contest A little play is put on
in which the chief character is a sick child The
doctor after much puzzling confesses that he does
not know what medicine 10 give the patient he
asks the audience TO help him with suggestions.
and writes on a slip OF paper each one that
is offered Then he asks the children TO guess
which OF the remedies will cure the invalid The
answers written down by the guessers' are gain
cred up and placed in hat and the doctor draws
them out one by one. announcing that the 'aSt one
will be the proper remedy. A chocolate DohooH
&c the last guess and the children who have de-
cIared for that gigge happily when the doctor tells
them that all who guessed chocolate oon0on VIII
receive a surprise the morrow Sure enough
on the morrow box Of candy or perhaps OooA
is sent N the address Of each fortunate guesser-
name and address having been written with each
guess. by request
The performances never last more than three
hours sometimes not more than two and a max
The -rocralrne is changed every two, weeks or So
ard sometimes more important plays are given
The prices are very reasonable Fifty cents pays
for an orchestra seat and place in a box is only
- cents.