New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-16
By Ralph Block

Handicapped by spacious audi
torium. excellent lights, comfortable
seats, ventilation and an extensive
stage equipment, all Of which must
be listed among the drawbacks OF the
miniature playhouse. the Greenwich
Village Theatre. under the direction
of Frank Conroy. presented its nrst
public playbill last night. The Dill
is unique in several respects among
programmes of its kind. Il does not
mistake extravaganza for magma
ton; it attempts no forays into the
region Of a placid and borrowed
Shavianism, Of which we have grown
weary for a time 1t even goes so lar
as to give over the time-honored rlght
of the art theatre 70 be snochihs
and assumes in its place the function
of delicate entertainment. II presents
two plavs that are interesting IN
mildly varying. degree. and a 'nird
that Is distinguished by beautlful seIN
ting and lighting, competent acting
and direction. and delicacy ana grace
in its writing .p.L.p
schnitzler's 1.-THE Festival of Bacchus',
which opens the bill, is sharp ply Oh
IRONY on love in the customary SchhiVL-
ier manner. The seen Is railway
station. wife and her lover are run
Ming away. The husband meets tneni
+bey eat lunch and he tells them Oh the
custon, of the ancients, VINO once
year threw OF the bonds OF disclpVhe
in The festival of Bacchus. One nlght
outside the pale was lawtul-out TWO
meant the lovers must cling forever 10
eacb other. or meet death. Under the
LIGHT conversation the little drama Is
nlaved out The lover leaves Tor ParlS'
Tho wife returns with her husDhhd,
"FfFciencv." by Robert II. DAVIS ana
perlev Poore Sheehan, doubtless mas
ia inspiration - the war. A professor
who uses the Teutonic accent mas as
covared means 10 restore the torn anu
crinpled 70 an efficiency that gives them
the qualities Of Bevond-men. tie dem
onstrates before his Emperor. buI
when the professor leaves the room, tne
subject of the experiment protests MS
humanity and Stays the man on the
throne. The setting and lighting are
HRehind a Vatican Picture" in two
scenes bv Robert Z. Rogers, alone Iusti-
6es the new playhouse, If just'hcstioh
uere needed. IL is the eternal story OF
Co .umblne, done with an approach 70
stvle that is rare in the theatre, ana 50
fragile and exquisite that i must take
its nIace among the fine things OF tte
modern theatre. The legend OF Pierrot
has had it's innings on the miniature
stage. especially with the French pantO-
mime that Mr.. Ames gave so hne SET
ting and Dowson's "Pierrot OF the MIN
ute,p But Mr.. Rogers has not en-
croached on any of these for his action,
and the result is bit Of delicate en-
chentment."
It is a Vatican the curtain discloses,
a marquis and his msrquise and poet,
the faint color Of their costumes set
against the faded silver Vatican back
Ground. A picture guide appears, ex-
hounds the painting and passes on.
Then the three wake. They find gate
behind them. and a fat Pierrot let's
them through. 1t is an old garden they
discover, family scented with the per
fume of dead roses and chilled WIN
memories of a departed grandeur. ana
here begins the drama. IL Is garuen
OF horrors as well, for MEAN
choly Pierrot and his Harle-
ouin have tired OF the love playing
Of tickle Columbine and they have
dug her grave. When they come Tor
her the two from without interfered.
But she wins them too by her Kisses
and they draw swords for her. eotn
TO fall The saddened marquise Is
led out of the gate again, Plerrot
mounts the wall and gazes at the
moon and Columbine beats at the
locked gate for others TO come 10 her
garden and feel the sting OF ner
Kisses. Fania Marinoff is a delightiul
Columbine, seductive, and never mo-
ment still. The temper Of the play
ing everywhere is even and the
rhythms Of the piece are never lost.
The colors are not violent but fragile
and the stage is full Of delicate
shadows. In the distance a violin ana
a piano play hauntingly.
The incidental music is By W. franKe
Harling. ,
II is altogether delightful.
The theatre is finished in gray, and
its somewhat formal scheme Of decors-
tion and high ceiling rob il Of warmth
and an expected intimacy. But this Is
not an absolute fault, and the hrst Dill
suffers little by reason OF It.