The New York herald., 1922-12-17
French Deputy
Would Shut Paris
Theaters to Young
Proposal to Close Theaters to
Babies as Detrimental to
Health.
Special Correspondence to TEE NEW YoRK
HERALD.

" HILDREN are once more the
chief topic of conversation in
theatrical circles here follow
ing Deputy Pierre Even's recent prop
osition In Parliament that all children
under two years of age should be for
hidden entry to theaters
The measure is aimed as a safe
guard of children's health as well as
in the interest OF the play and audi
ences. M. Even was induced to intro
duce his motion when he received
letter from a workman who after at
tacking Parliament for continually de-
laying the passing of hygienic laws In
the interest of public health says: "I
look after the health OF my children
myself Never do I take them to a
theater or movie house because such
places are badly ventilated and fire.
quently improperly cleaned"
Theater managers willingly agree that
something should be done to assure bet
ter ventilation and that new methods
should be found to clean theaters. At
present most theaters employ score
of men and women to brush and sweep
down floors and seats. Vacuum clean
ing has been tried and has been found
too slow. With the present methods NJ.
Even points out microbes fly around
establishments. and It is mainly because
OF this that he would have children
barred.
On the other hand audiences consider
that children often cause disturbances.
The French deputy would even go fur
ther and forbid entry to theater OF all
persons carrying children in arms. Such
measure would undoubtedly have gem
eral approval and if the law goes
through rapidly enough it will probably
become effective on the first OF jan
uary.
Still new departure has been made
in presenting new plays in Paris Re
Gently Henry Bernstein made a strict
rule that any one Invited to a dress
rehearsal should be seated at a given
time and late comers should have TO
wait till the first interval to gain adj
mittance. When Mr.. Henry Clerc pre-
sented his play "LAutoritalre." atN the
Odeon he decided that the public should
be 4the first to see the play, and ac-
eordingly the dress rehearsal for critics
and invited guests was given on the
second night NJ. Clerc believes that
playwrights work primarily in the in
tercst of the public and thought the
latter should have the first chance to
criticize new play. The idea was COM
pletely successful and undoubtedly other
authors will follow the example
A ForcefuI Play.
As II is. critics believe that NJ. Clerc's
play will have long run. 1t is n force
ful play dealing with realities and with
such artists as Gemier, Mile. Lillian
l'reuze and Abel Joaquin I'm it's cast is
bound 70 be a success. The principal
role. acted by Gemier. represents a stub
faNlx
, manners and habits has made his wife
frightened slave and his son almost a
stranger i'm the family. In order to serve
his own business the father has arranged
marriage for his son 10 the daughter
or wealthy neighbor. The son, how
ever, does not care for the girl and re-
flyses TO break off his friendship with
another girl. This causes a definite
split so heartbreaking to the mother that
she dies soon after, while the father has
driven his son from home. The closing
scenes of the play show the father as an
unhappy old man. He refuses to see
his son, who has come to ask pardon.
snd lives the remainder of his life a
hermit.
Among the most interesting recent re-
vivals was that OF la Lepreuse" at the
Opera Comique. Written as a drama by
Henry Bataille, II was adapted to opera
comique by Syvio Lazzari one Of the
best known French composers This
play was first produced ten years ago.
when It caused SO much criticism that
Parliament ordered a special perform
ance and an inquiry as to whether II
was advisable 20 show such a piece
Important cuts were then made and the
play proved a big success. Nine Mar
euerite carre takes the title role as a
leper girl (Alietfe). Although afflicted
the girl is beautiful, and Ervoanik,
i.ch young man from Brittany falls des-
peratey in love. AIiette also loves the
boy and would consent TO become his
mystic and "white" spouse were II not
for her mother, who has vowed mortal
hatred TO humanity and who convinces
her daughter that the hoy is not serious
and has other love affairs. SO impressed
Is Aliette and 70 fired with hatred in
her turn that she Invite tho boy TO come
and eat with her and her mother and
during the dinner offers him n drink out
Of the glass she has been drinking from.
FrvoaniS falls a victim to the dreaded
disease and has TO be isolated in a leper
camp in Brittany cut of from all COM
runication with the rest Of the world.
New Plays Produced.
"a Potiniere, one OF the smallest the
rters In Paris, probably holds the record
IT, .he production OF new plays. In
less than two weeks five new plays have
been shown there. most of chem one or
two act affairs, which after their debut
&C that theater have usually found their
way up to Montmartre establishments
and have often enjoyed long runs there.
The latest that Potiniere has shown
Is a comedy in three acts entitled 'srhe
Merry Marriages OF Gretna Green"
Twenty-Five artists appear IN the play
undoubtedly another record for the
Potiniere. The comedy Is full OF anus
ing matter describing the intricate en-
tangiements various couples experience
when married at Gretna Green. A.
usual everything ends I'm the proper way
by the couples getting married accord
ing 20 law Eighteenth century dresses
and clothes are worn by che artists the
principal roles being filled by jacques
I.anday and Mile. Cine Avrll.
Evidently an attempt is 10 be made
this winter 60 revive cubism and futur-
ism for the Folies Bcrgere already en-
nounccs that scenery for its new review
VIM be painted IN cubist and futurlst
designs. 1t is doubtful, however, II this
will give another lease OF life to such
schools OF art In Paris French people
themselves have tired Of them.
Ex-Prcmier Georges Clemenceau Is
evidently the hero OF tho day right now.
Whether or not his trip 70 America has
anvfhfnp 20 dp with n IA nuo< no aoonr-