The New York herald., 1921-09-25
THEATRES in FRANCE
LACK NEW FEATURES,
REVIVING OLD PLAYS
Paucity Of Ideas Prompts
Putting On Reviyals With
Changed Names.
WAR PIECES DON'T DRAW
sSapho,' Unexpurgated, Is to
Be Brought Out With Dor
ziat in Title Role.
Special Cable to THE NEw YORK HERALD.
Copyright, 1891, by THE New York HERALD.

Special Cable to THE NEw YORK HERALD.
Copyright, 1891, by THE New York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Paris, Sept. "a.
Now that Partisan homes are re-
opening for brief interval Of repose
between the Deauville, Cabourg and
Riviera seasons, theatres that have
been dark for the last three months
arc reopening their doors. but without
enthusiasm, for there is every evi-
dence that no really striking departure
from the vogue of recent years can
be expected. In fact, comments are
current that Paris no longer Is able 10
produce new ideas, the majority or
theatres being forced to revive under
different names plays known before
the war in the hope of winning a
short success before the public real
ICES that it has already followed the
maze of intrigue. that forms the basis
Of the only pieces standing the Slight
est chance Of profitable runs.
OF course the subsidized State thea
tres do not intend to depart from their
usual repertoires. and unless a new line
of material problems or psychic mys-
teries can be devised to interest the
public there Is strong possibility
that the future of the French theatres
will lie between the stale but funda-
mental classics and a return to the pc
riod when FIsnch concert singers
brought applause from all parts OF the
world.
Investigation last week showed a
definite lack of interest on the part
of the public toward anything savoring
of war even remotely. For instance,
the producers OF the drama La Ba-
taille" are so alarmed by the prospect
of decreasing receipts that they are
even advertising that the piece has
nothing whatever to do with the great
war, and lie Retour," which was a
great success last year, may be changed
so as to eliminate the reference to
battlefield comradeship upon which the
whole plot depended-all because the
public foots the bills. and the public
wants to forget the four years Of
tragedy.
OF course theatres like the F'olles
Bergere and the Abri Potfniere,
which cater to the sensual inclinations.
continue in the rut of nude immortality
or suggestive denouements. but 1t is
significant that none of the theatres
In this category Is able TO Of1er a revue
or comedy differing from those of last
year. The same may be said of pop
ular houses like the Porto st. Martin,
for years the home of melodrama.
The Porte St. Martin, after seeking
vainly for something startling and new.
has actually decided to revive "Sapho,"
unexpurgated, with Gabrielle Dorziat In
tho title role. And Mile. Dorziat has
promised that she will startle the crowds
OF working girls and clerks who nightly
throng the doors, as. although the ele-
gance of earlier productions will be
maintained In the first acts. in the final
scenes she win insist on the policy of
latsseS aller, or. in other words. she will
shield her graceful form chiefly in
artistic talent.
which developed the artistic cabaret OF
fashionable quarters Is being urged by
writers as a result of the success of
Paul Poiret's summer theatre. where
singers almost forgotten by the public
have won new laurels In modern songs
To counter the revived interest IN
concerts. however, group of parliament
tarfans have decided to present a bill In
the chamber for the organization Of
subsidized travelling companies that will
present n repertoire from the State the
atres In the smaller towns and cities
throughout France in the hope that the
public will gradually appreciate the
folly of seeking inspiration or even
amusement from modern playwrights as
long as the time tried classics can be
obtained.