The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1911-10-06
"ThaiS."

A sensation followed the announce
ment that Paul Wilstach, author of
The Life of Richard Mansfield" and
associated with the famous actor for
eight yeaIs during his tours of Ameri
ca, had written drama based on
"Thais" which will be seen for the
first time in Cincinnati at the Grand
Opera House, week of October 8. I'M
der the management of Joseph M.
Gates, with Miss Constance Collier in
the name part.
. Mr.. Wilstach has closely followed the
scenes as they appear in the novel.
Anatole France, one of the greatest of
living literary workers., is the author
of the novel, which became the basis
for the opera by Jules E. F. Massanet,
which achieved such popularity in this
country when sung by Miss Mary Gar
den.
The book is magnificent piece of
| literature, and the opera has many
things to relieve it of harsh criticism
and much that is truly beautiful.
( Many thought the dramatizatiOn of
! the beautiful opera would be thank
less one, but Mr.. Wilstach is daring
chap and Mr.. Gates is what is known
as game" so the production went
forward and the outcome is.well known
for after the first performance "Thais"
was a distinct dramatic triumph,
Few operas have been dramatized.
| Merimee wrote Carmen" in l845, but
it was fifty years before anyone under
! took a dramatiZation of the story for
tina stage. In 1895 Miss Olga Neither
sole commissioned Henry Hamilton, a
! British writer, to make such version
/ fo- her use, and as all the world know $
| today it proved one of 1.-The most sue
cessful plays ever written by modern
author. Miss Nethersole. alone, has
played it over 1900. times, and was the
first actress to appear in the part in
Paris, .although.it was 62 years after
! the novel was written, and it has been
one of the most popular works IN the
entire repertory of French operas.
| 1t may have been a recollection of
this episode that stirred Mr.. WilstacE
to action with "Thais."
AS usual thing, however. it is not
counted good business fisk to drama
tie themes that are familiar with a
musical accompaniment. But Mr..
/ Gates made arrangements with Mas
sanet for the use of his score for
entr'acte musice, so this latter is an
important feature of the dramatic
"Thais."
"Thais" is a story showing the an
chorltes of the ancient Theban desart.
The piece takes its name from beau,
tiful creature, as sinful as she is beau.
tiful There comes to her hermit
who seeks to convert her from he,
wick lie. He pr caches and prays anC
euoures the temptations that befe
Parsital. Finally he yields but when
he has come thoroughly under the in
huence of THAT'S" and has lost his
soul, she suddenly awakens to the new
life, has heard his teachings and plead.
irgs, and goes to the white Sisters
on the African shore of the MeGiter.
ranean.
Mr.. Gates, in addition to Miss Col
lier, has engaged Tyrone Power to ap'
pear in the part of the hermit. AnC
Julian L Estrange to play the part oil
Nicias, tine favorIte lover.
"Thais" is produced with a wonder
fully beautiful scenic investure anl
will he the treat of the theatrical sea
sop. Matinees will be given on Wed
nesday AMI Saturday.
Mail orders will receive prompt at
tention, if thev contain certified check
postal or express orders. payable t,
Theatre. If parties desire tickets mail
ed. self-addressed envelope must &C
company order. thus avoiding possibil
ity of error. Special attention will b,
given to all out Of town orders. Specia
round trip excursion rates will b'
given on all railroads. For intor
nation regarding fares and schedule
of trains consult local agent.