The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-25

enjoyment, the theatre of NJ. Copeau
was as little suited to the Paris pub
lilo as to our own.
Since a French theatre in New York
inevitably has an educational char
acter. there are chances Of extending
the repertoire which would not be pos
sible in q playhouse with only the pur-
pose of offering the dramatic novelties.
All the classic authors such as Moliere
and Racine and Corneille would neces-
sarily be represented, as well as Victor
Hugo, apd as many OF the romantics
as the actors were able to play well.
Then. Just as the French theatres here
of recent years have relied on certain
plays of Dumas. Emile Angler, pos
sibly Labiche, Mailhac and Halevy and
other writer's whose theatre includes
| certainly one play that might be ac-
ceptable for a weeks season, such an
| institution ought not to ignore these
| works. Probably they would be more
potent in insuring popularity TO the
| theatre than the literary theatre in
which NJ. Copeau took such pleasure.
Such a repertoire, combined with what
was interesting in the newest French
| theatre, ought to please the mixed
tastes on which such an institution
must inevitably be founded. A theatre
must appeal to a large public-espe-
cially theatre which gives its per-
| formances in a foreign tongue.
1t was probably the eager desire to
| patronize the Theatre du Vieux Co.
lumber whenever there was a play
that appealed to the taste OF the day
that has led the optimists to believe
that more than one such institution
may prosper here. If the modern
works of Lavedan, Hervieu, Bern
stein, Bataille and the rest of the con-
temporaneous writer's for the French
stage have not been accepted here in
| English when put forward at eXpen-
sive theatres with costly II incompe-
tent actors, that does not prove that
as features of a regular organization
| producing them in the course of a
season for but short run and with
out elaborate outlay they may
not please the special public that
wants to hear them in French. With
few successful modern plays this
standard repertoire ought to help the
impresario through a season. 1t Is,
OF course. taken for granted that the
actors will be capable. French actors
are usually capable. NJ. Copeau had
some fine artists in his forces. So a
season in French with a director OF
somewhat less incorporating views
than he might meet with the neces-
sary material success. 1t would GER
tainly be interesting.
u A large audience gathered at the
midweek matinee OF "A popular success
the other day in mood of the most
enthusiastic sympathy. The theatres II
which this actress has appeared during
recent years have not always beer
crowded in spite of her great vogue
But there was no doubt of the great
popular success OF the present play oil
the eXultant mood OF the fanatical ad
mirers who had gathered to enjoy the
performance. 1t was with an aspect
Of the keenest expectation that the
spectators settled In their seats for ar
afternoon OF unalloyed delight, theil
play. This seemed, as w. s. Gilber
said, like too much happiness.
But 1t soon became evident tha
something was wrong. After the APP
| rlause Of welcome there had been NJ
other tingling warmth OF communica
ton between the audience and the &C
tress. She was indeed rafting through
the role in the most perfunctory man
ner possible. Was II a rehearsal for I
new member Of the cast or for photo
graphs or for the scenery or lights
II might have been anything. so far a
the star was concerned. that requires
no expression OF interest from her