New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-06
By Ralph Block

Jacques Copeau goes long way in
the second programme at the Theatre
du Nicux- Columbicr toward baking the
highbrows. There is no doubt that the
new French theatre, more than ordnar-
lily experimental in its attitude, IS al
ways in danger Of becoming q rallyine
point for those who arc more interest
cd in methods than in the ends that
will always remain dimly on the
horizon If VI. Copcau continues to pre-
sent bills like the second one at his
theatre. For, novel though some Of IL may
be, It causes pleasure by other means
than by novelty. Well seasoned acting,
the rcdiscoyery Of a DtIiou Of stage lit
crature which is new 10 US by reason OF
its very age. intelligent and magma
tive prcsentation-all these combine 10
make rich entertainment.
Strangely enough, it is the modern
comedy that must take the place OF
least Importance on the new bill. Henri
Becques ia Navette." which has been
published in the Modern Drama Series
under the name Of "The Merry-Go-
Round" but which NJ. Copeau's trans
lator prefers TO call "The shuttle" is a
rather cruel little satire on that aspect
of Partisan life best known in America.
Antonio, who is disclosed in her sitting
room, has one lover who pays the bills
and another who enjoys the comforts.
But the second is dissatisfied with this
arrangement under which he must steal
his pleasures, and prefers 10 be propri-
etor outright. Antonio dismisses her
first lover and installs the second, put
ting likewise a third in his old place.
But the second finds the joys Of owner
ship are not so pleasant as those OF
theft. The first lover returns, the sec
ond goes back 10 his former status and
the third is crowded out altogether. IL
is naughty, and entirely at the expense
Of the characters. Jane Lory plays
splendid Antonio, squeezing out Of the
part all of the comedy it contains.
But the gifts of VI. Copeau's COM
pany, and his own facility in giving
life TO what might in other hands be
merely text, are best disclosed IN
Prosper Merimee'S little comedy, The
Coach of the Holy Sacrament This
is a tale Of Peru, and the amours Of
a Spanish viceroy. He loves an actress.
she is pretty and full Of vanities.
subtle, too. The viceroy, equity and
none too young hears tales Of her. He
loses his temper, but relents when her
pride makes him believe she is limo
cent. To make his forgiveness real
he gives her splendid coach she
has coveted. She rides in the
coach, dsmays her Superiors with
her airs. bumps into the coach
Of marquise and escapes by
giving the coach to the bishop. Out Of
such simple stuff, VI. Copeau draws all
kinds of comedies, all manner OF deli
cate havors Of sentiment and humor.
II is. indeed. one Of the prettiest pieces
in a New York playhouse. but it would
not achieve so much but for the ine
acting Of Francois Gournsc, who plays
the viceroy. Here is another actor OF
distinguished Qualities TO add TO the
list headed b. VI. Copeau himself and
Louis Jouvet. viii he, indeed. give us
n new star at each performance Gour-
nae incarnates the viceroy, a man Of
pleasures. but also Of humor; jealous
with the jealousy of an old lover, but
patient and generous when his love is
touched. Lucenne Bogaert is the
charming and delightful lady Of the
piece.
: "The Jealousy Of Barbouille" is an
other Molerian farce, OF early vintage
and full Of the kind of thing which in
its dav stood for wha Weber and
Fields have given us in ours. But the
companv at the Theatre du NieUX-Co-
lumber have rightly seized on the faci
that we are not so much interested n
the rough burlesque of this early farce
as the quaintness with which 1t ap.
proaches and engages our attention IL
is quite primitive Glowing, the de-
ceived husband, the Grant wife, the
doctor who tries 10 advise them with
quotation from the classics, and the
servants and parents-in-law. But IT IS
done in the spirit Of Glowing, and Is
like a slight wind blowing out of the
forgotten past. The acting is again
excellent.
The new bill discloses how elastic is
the transformed Gsrrick stage. The |
apron stage has disappeared for the F.,
time. The Becoue comedy is done in /
front Of a curtain set with few pieces
of furniture. The Moliore setting =
simply a door between curtains, win
a little balcony overhead. But Tor
Nerimee. the full stage has been used /
10 the simple Doric columns NJ. Copesu
has added a lattice, thus limiting ms
stage and giving quite the eject ne
needs. In this day of mounting costs
in theatre, Broadway managers may
learn much of advantage 10 themselves I.
in the economies Of NJ. Copeau's thea /
tire.