New-York tribune., 1912-01-21
ORDYNSKI MAY STAY
COntlnued from sixth page.

take advantage OF the offer. The Art The
atre is devoting all it's attention TO realis-
tic modern plays, and this did not give
OrdynsA the opportunity he wished for Of
developing mis- fantastic and poetic imagi-
nation.
The artistic pilgrim took train for Berlin,
where he first saw some productions made
ty Max Reinhardt These captivated him
at once, and, although he wandered from
theatre 10 theatre throughout Germany,
studying the varying work OF all the best
German producers. he finally went TO the
Reinhardt festival held in Munich in the
summer of 1905, with his mind made up 70
ally himself 10 this man, who. in his opin~
ION, got down 10 the roots OF drama and
yet built his work on imagination with tre-
mendous originality. =
Ordynskis meeting with Reinhardt vas
unusual and curious. There was no hesi-
tstion on either side. Ordynski explained
himself and his ideas and ambitions 10
Renihardt. and the then already great pro-
ducer seemed able 10 read his man through
at glance. for all he said was: Very
we'll Stay with me and work with me-"
Since then" said Herr Ordynsk, we
have worked together so closely that now
our relations are less those of business
than OF friendship. Reinhardt at first had
me stand by him st rehearsal, listen TO his
orders and see that they were carried out.
Gradually I took over the direction Of
minor parts myself, until one day in the
midst OF general rehearsal / suddenly be-
gan TO direct the whole stage. ! was so
absorbed did not realize what ! was do
thing to him. He was not there. I found
him later sitting quietly in the auditorium
watching me.
He told me that he had himself drawn
me on TO do that very thing little by little
and that when ! had taken over the whole
command he had withdrawn to watch how
] did It.
That is the way 10 learn he said. You
have TO do the whole thing yourself and
depend on no one. The quickest way 10
learn TO swim is to jump into deep water
and have no one around 20 save YOU.
Il still have a four-year contract with
Professor Reinhardt before will go out 10
produce on my own account" said Herr
Ordynski, but when I come TO work OF my
own It will in general way follow the
Reinhardt plan. ] hope my work will have
separate personality but his dramatic
idea is right"
How would you describe Professor Rein
hsrdts dramatic idea?'
Il can describe II very well by comparing
Rsinhardts setting for the first act OF
Faust with the best preceding productions
OF that same play. In the production OF the
Court Theatre at Meiningen. where they
use solid scenery and where the work is con-
sdsred 10 be OF the finest. the first act was
set in a magnificent library scene. Faust
vas there seen surrounded by his books.
The wall decorations Of the room were
sDperb. A number OF great volumes were
ca the library tables. bound in such e1-
quisite taste and with such wonderful
workmanship that they attracted the at
tention and inspection of the audience
There were whispers throughout the auoi-
tortum about these and about the various
ine bits Of interior decorating in the ROOM
Then the Impressionists and secessionists
came along and slmplihed the library OF
Faust greatly They put on the walis their
neat trailing designs. and indicated the
shelves OF books very nicely. the auolenoe
Vas very much interested In all that'
But when Reinhardt undertook thls
scene he read the words ana ieehns tiien
Wonderful poetic quality, decided thst they
were the most important part OF the scene.
To concentrate the attention OF the au-
eierce on the words and give them no
scenery 70 distract them, yet 10 sueses'
Fa1sts book lined study, was his purpose.
What he evolved was a desk set over az
enc side OF the stage. with shaded hgh'
dropped Immediately over 1t. seyerai iarse
books lay on the desk and old Faust MN.
SELF leaned over one. reading with the light
shining on him The rest Of the room war
csrs. but there was no end TO the oooK'
you could imagine on the dim shelves tha'
you could not see With nothing to "stcr
bat the old nan leaning over his Door W tn'
s"au"' etc words ne said were not one
~ from the first TO the iast
That ~. In brief. Reinhardts idea-tc
concentrate the attention Of the auuisnc'
On some particular side Of things ~ M