The Washington herald., 1911-10-01
MAETERLINCK

No personality in the literary world Is
as whimsical and mysterious as Maurice
Maeterlinck. author of the famous fairy
play, The Blue Bird" which opens the
Eelasco Theater on October for a
weeks engagement.
On the evening in December, 1909. when
The Blue Bird was first presented at
the Haymarket Theater, London, Maeter-
linck slept in an armchair in friend S
study utterly oblivious of the fact that
an English audience had sat in judgment
on his drama and acclaimed 1t a master
piece. When aroused and informed that
he had set all London by the ears he
smiled, stretched himself, and retired for
the night
Not that Maeterlinck lacked interest
in the artistic merit OF The Blue Bird" "
What apparently caused him no concern
whatever was its financial success or
failure. Having given a year or more of
his life to preparing the manuscript. he
felt that he had turned over a finished
product to the world, and II was for the
world at its pleasure to reimburse him;
or discard the work as unadapted for
the stage. Indeed, it was only after
weeks of patient effort on the part of
Herbert Trench, OF the Haymarket, that
the poet was finally persuaded to attend
the rehearsal. The manager hoped for
some suggestion as to the staging de-
tails of the play, but he was disappoint-
ed, for Maeterlinck curled up in a box
and spoke no word until the final cur
tain had descended. He then expressed
his approval of the manner in which Mr..
Trench had grasped and illumined his
ideas and departed. If he has since Seen
a performance Of The Blue Bird no
as one is aware Of the fact.
The New Theater, whose magnificent
production comes to the Belasco next
week. has urged the poet TO witness the
first night performance here, but 1t has
small idea that he will come to this
country. The poet abhors cool weather,
and the chilly September air, II nothing
else, would deter him from journeying
so far from the sunshine of St. Van
drille. his summer home in France, or
the even baGmIer climate of Grasse, on
the shores Of the Mediterranean, where
he spends his winters among the flowers,
or wandering over the
lower reaches OF the mountains. Maeter-
linck, 1t is true, has expressed a wish to
visit the United States in company with
Nine. Georgette Leblanc, his talented
actress wife, but II he comes 1t will be
the country and not the play which will
draw him. Has not the drama between
covers been accepted here, and is this
not enough proof that its merits have
been recognized in America?
Always an Enigma.
All through his life Maeterlinck has
been something Of an enigma to even his
friends. He was born in Client,
August .. 1852. and during his
years he has trodden the
paths Of the mystic and philosopher. Fol-
lowing a course OF study under private
tutors, he entered the Jesuit College of
ST. Barbe at Client. After his gradua- !
ton he took a course in law and was
admitted TO the bar, but the life OF bar
rister did not appeal to him, and after |
one or two court appearances he devoted |
himself to short story writing.
All this time Maeterlinck was study
ng English and II was with difficulty that |
he mastered the tongue. He did not care |
specially to speak the language, but he
onged to delve into the writings OF |
Meredith. and Elizabethans. |
Ford. Ruysboeck, and Novalis without /
osing their finesse OF expression through I
AS a result OF these efforts
published The Treasure OF
he Humble Wisdom and Destiny"
The Life OF the Bee" and other essays.
Again turning 70 drama for the express