New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-08

When the Cfildreus Theatre. IN the
century Theatre Building, is opened on
Monday night. December %, what is
planned as a new factor in the education
of the ch!ld viii have its inception. This
:heatne. built primarily and secondarily
lor Children, Tin. according 10 its pro-
noters. be conducted to provide amuse-
nent for children and at the same time
aid in their instruction. With the an
nouncement Of such an aim. details OF
he enterprise have had an added in
crest both to the habituel theatregoer
md the educator.
At the present time rehearsals Of the
play 10 open the theatre are COINS on
under the direction of George c. Tyler,
of the Lebler Company, managing direc-
tor Of the new playhouse. and Hugh Ford
Who is producing the play. "Racketty-
packetty House" story OF dolls and
fairies. is the title of the new piece
which has as its author that excellent
writer Of stories for children. Mrs.
Frances HodCson Burnett. With the
soluble aim Of interest and instruction IN
view. Mrs. Burnett has written little
play which will. it is hoped. point the
way 10 future productions that Will take
advantage Of the child's love for make
believe and unconscious imitation Of the
actions Of others.
Imagination. which is tremendously
strong in the child, is the quality Of mind
to which we plan to appeal, is the state
ment Of Mr. Tyler in explaining the work
ing basis Of the new production. 1T Is
upon the Imagination OF the child that
Mrs Burnett has drawn for the appeal
Of her little play. which IS nothing snort
Of marvel IN comprehension Of the child
mind.
Take the story which she has told IL
relates the adventures Of two families OF
dolls one shabby lot which lives IN
dilapidated old dolls house known as
Racketty- Packetty House, and the other
an aristocratic group which scorns the
Tag-tag lot. Now. a doll is something tnat
has AN irresistible appeal TO every child
VINO cndows it with life. Take children,
then. who arc little bigger than dolls and
Put them upon the stage 70 enact story
Of dolls and you have an appeal TO the
minds OF the youngsters in the audience
that is certain TO be hey ond outstanding.
Mrs. BUrnetts story goes on 10 tell
how one Of the aristocratic dolls, through
an accident. finds herself in 'Racketty-
packettv House where she Immediately
proceeds TO fan In love with one Of the
shsbbiest dolls of the lot. Peter Piper, a
comical fellow. The opposition OF the
naughty family 10 the love affair and the
final triumph OF the two, ending with
their wedding. brings about the and they
lived happy ever after part OF the story.
Mixed IN with Il all are several human
beings. owners Of the dolls. and fairy
queer who rules their destinies and iur-
nisber the unconscious stimulus in the
form or a chorus
AS for the wonderful appeal when
such INSTALLATION Of the imagIn!nS5 o.
TIE child mas, il could not be oetteF
snown than I'm the spirit which has caughl
W the little tots that are 10 play IN It.
They seem 10 feel that they are having
part i'm airy experience and renesr'
sais are a game 20 them
visit 10 a rehearsal al the century
Theatre Building. where the children are
Preparing Tor the production. showed e''
Interesting illustration Of this. with MI
Ford ia charge. SOME thirty tots "ese
being put through their PAGES. only then
ford mothers alons the walls and two OF
ihrSe groWn-ups who are members OF me
sas, were I'm evidence TO spoil the game
q being fairies Or dolls or Processes.
70 the spectator familiar with the ordi-
harry rehearsal Of a play. the production
q this childs story presents a curious
Nedy il Is the method with which MI
FORD trains the tiny actors. These IN
eiude q number who have regulations as
enild actors. while still others are new
% the footlights. Several know the tech
hque OF the stage. its methods OF cross
hg. entering and the like. with THESE
Erection is d much simpler method. but
WITH others great delicacy OF handling
hast be used.
A child A. a volatile little creature
ar Ford explains. "and can be rehearseo
WY so long as its interest can be heio'
When II begins TO grow tired OF what -
oeing done, il lacks concentration. its
s'tsntlon goes TO other things surround
"s IL Then IL is useless TO say, Pay at
NAuon. II can't It's attention must he
aaghi anew and its imagination siimu-
sd 10 take a new interest In the play.
10 working with children on the stage
Ase found that they are natural
acs. They are also utterly without
s-'-consclousness. and so arc not az diff
an 70 handle AK are their elders. When
- can DE- made 10 believe that they
akin nart IN Dlav .re making