Omaha daily bee., 1911-01-29

designed to kindle the imagination of the
audience and create the desired atmos-
| phere before the curtain rises Sounds
from the stage indicate the departure OF
farmer and his family for the day. Tn,
rustling Of trees buzzing of bees and calls
OF domestic animals indicate a barnyard
scene, and then the picture itself comes
into view. II is a wistria-covered house
with dog kennel, farming implements
baskets and general farmyard parapher-
MALTA all hugely exaggerated against q
background of country landscape.
All kinds of barnyard fowl appear, busy
with the usual traffic of the domestic
menagerie, except that they express their
sentiments in the language of humans. A
cat dozes lazlly on the wall, and within
his kennel the voice of Patou, the watch
dog, is soon heard. Presently the call Of
Chantecler resounds chanting his lode
to the sun" which is one of the poetic
glorles OF the play. He then energies and
the drama Is actually under way
Chantecler is the egoist, the idealist,
the enthusiast. imbued with a great mis-
sion and filled with unbounded faith in
the supreme Importance of his work.
Fired with the illusions of youth, he be-
lieves 1t is his vocation TO dispeI dark
ness by making the sun 10 rise each day
in obedience to his song. Most Of the
feathered world bow in admiration of
his greatness, but there are a few, the
Blackbird and Turkey among them, who
are sceptical of his powers and pre-
tensions,
For time things run smoothly. Chan
tecler domlneers kindly over the inhab-
itants Of the barnyard. sending his harem
OF hens and progeny of chicks about their
business. But soon he is warned by his
faithful friend, Patou the dog-who stands
for the plain, simple philosopher the
Blackbird, a pert, insincere and shallow
quibbler-the traditional Partisan boule-
varder and cafe wit-that insidious in
fluences are at work against him
Suddenly pursued by a hunter, the Hen
Pheasant takes refuge in the barnyard.
Her entrance into Chandeliers life begins
the conflict which is to end with his dis
illusionment and fall from self-appointed
supremacy II is perfectly clear that Ros-
tand means the Hen Pheasant to typify
the modern woman in all her virtues and
also in her defects. She Is beautiful high
minded honest, yet Jealous Of mans APP
pointed tasks and covetods TO control his
whole affection and interest. Chanticler
is quickly impressed with her yet at first
ne Will NOT AUNT ~ even TO nliuhelI. mus
the Cocks day ends in safety, but the
gathering night reveals ill-omened Great
ures OF daTkness-the owls, the Cat with
the treacherous acknowledgements OF
hatred and all that is inimiCal to good
who meet TO plot Chandeliers downfall.
II Is now the second act. The scene Is
hillside overlooking a valley. The round
lustrous eyes Of the night birds and the
faint outlines OF their bodies show In the
darkness conspiracy against Chanticler
Is formed. But the owls are not able to
overcome him alone. SO they decide 10
enlist hired assassins, the aggressive Game
Cocks, secured by the Peacock who dis
likes Chanticler They will humble their
victim at the Guiena Hens reception on
the morrow. The disdainful Chanticler has
at first declined 10 go TO the function, but
he is yielding under the persuasion Of the
Hen Pheasant.
ant has worked upon Chandeliers egotism
TO persuade him to tell her the secret OF
his mission and to give her practical
demonstration OF his power. The self de-
luded awakener OF the world yields, and In
q splendidly imagined and eloquently writ
ten passage he summons back the dawn
with his clarion call. Then. spent by his
mighty effort, he falls exhausted al her
side. The Hen Pheasant is impressed. Only
the sceptical Blaokhird looks on and
doubts
The third act brings the reception given
~ the vain. PaFyneu Giinea lien in a