The sun., 1919-02-02
BY STEPHEN RATHBUN.

TN Henri Lavedans play lie Nou-
veau leu" Bobette points out that
the new fad is the discovery OF
the old, and that the gay Partisan
Paul GoStdrd will one day abandon the
Opera Comique and discover Lamar
tine. NJ. Jacques Copeau and his
French players have succeeded in TAX
ing New Workers back TO Moliere and
the seventeenth century. but it has re-
manned for Nine. Yvette Guilbert and
the Neighborhood Players of the
street to play to the limit 'le nouveau
jeu" by presenting "Guibour," a four
teenth century French miracle play.
Its original title was TN Miracle de
Notre Dame; Comment Ellie Garda
Tine Femme dEstre Arse" CA Miracle
Play OF Our Lady; How She Saves
Woman from Being Burned. c., at
the stake). This French miracle play,
which is now being presented for the
frat time in English. is so very old
that it is quite the newest dramatic
production of the season.
Nervous About Her English.
Besides the antique newness OF "Gui-
bour.' play which one critic apt,y de-
scribed as the curio OF the season, its
production is unique in another re-
speCt. 1t marks the debut Of Nine.
Guilbert as an English speaking ac-
tress. Although she has been in this
country off and on for twenty years,
this is the first time that this really
great artist, who of course is chiefly
known as a singer and dlseuse, has es-
sayed a role in English.
"I was very nervous at the opening
Of 'Guibour." confessed Nine. Guilbert
the other afternoon in her reception
room at the Hotel Majestic. II was
fearful would forget my lines. but
did not feel genee, embarrassed. Nat
urally l feel the part l am acting
whether I am playing Guibour in Eng
lish or French
"As for my accent. will tell you I
knew you Americans had had before
me Modjeska and other European
actresses who had had accents. And
knew there was in New York a group
OF people who would compose my au-
diences who would always feel indul-
gent toward first attempt, and there
Is always a current Of sympathy pass
ing between the public and the artist.
Also the translation made by Miss
Anna Spraguc Macdonald has many
little used and what do you call Get
sh, yes, archaic words. in order 10
catch as nearly a 5 possible the spirit OF
the original. They are difficult to un-
oerstand even when spoken by an
American actor.
"A we'll known critic asked how II
was that !, who had been coming TO
your country for twenty years, could
not speak English without an accent
when he had learned TO speak French
we'll after he had been to Paris three
years. All, but once I heard this gen
tlemans French and it was VARY
VARY bad" and Nine, Guiibert's eyes
twinkled over the little joke.
About six years ago." she continued
81 met EleanOra Duse in Rome. SAID
20 her: 4 have q beautiful mystery
play that contains some fine spec
tacles,' and sent her n copy of 'Gui-
bour. But she was too i'll to pro-
duCe IL.
Then TIE war broke out and inter
fered with my plans. But one day
said to Miss Alice and Miss Irene
Lewisnhn. who are so devoted to art
for arts sake: i have a lovely miracle
play. No, IL is not for America, and
you will not like it But ! read it t.
them in a modern French version
They were mad over IL and they sale
Certainly we viii produce it, and they
presented the plan to the NeighborhooC
Players, who were just as enthusiastic
and voted to make the production.
Thought More Than Action.
Few people understand tho spiri
Of the Middle Age" continued Mmo
Guiibert. In the miracle plays on,
hnds pensee, a thought, more thai
action, Their theme is the redemption
OF the soul OF a human being. TIL
Church was the greatest power in tn
state, and the principal mission In Iif
n was not to be a savant a scientifi