The New York herald., 1922-07-09
Ida RubenStein
Has New Success
on Paris Stage
Appears in Revival Of dan
nunzio's THE Martyrdom
Of st. Sebastian

Special Cor-espendenos to THE Nsw YORK
HERALD
New York Herald Bureau,
Paris. June 80.
TIME only really worthy feature In
Paris theatrical life during early
June has been the revival, with
Nine. IDA Rubenstein In the title role
of D'Annunzio's -rhe Martyrdom of
ST. Sebastian" one Of the few works
in French by the italian poet. Whether
it was in recognition Of the peculiar
beauty Of the French phrasing and
riming chosen by D'Annunzio. or
merely because the Paris theater pub
lie Is blase after long line Of problem
plays, sensual farces and much me-
diocre music, the Paris Opera, where
Rubenstein gained her first triumph
many years ago. was thronged for
each Of the six performances. and is
is now certain that "St. Sebastian"
will be one Of the annual features of
the Opera during both the midwinter
and the June social season
But while the talent of Rubinstein
and Nine. Suzanne Despres, the latter
"a the Mater Doloroso Of d'Annunzio's s
melodious conception, sent the critics
into an upper heaven Of ecstasy, 1t is
significant that the average French the
atricaI writer failed to stress the beauty
of d'Annunzio's idea or the superb
- he n a6
and this is being ecutely commented
upon as duo not only to the recent ru-
mors that d'Annunzio, despite his Chris
tian tendencies in verse, Is about to
espouse the cause of Communism, but
also the evident desire of French writers
to limit interest in foreign productions.
In the case of "St Sebastian" at the
Opera, this latter objection has been
overcome by the Inclusion of a wonder
full musical score by Claude Debussy.
and the French critics balance this
against the foreign invasion of dAnnun-
zian verse, meanwhile stressing the fact
that the martyrdom would be much
more enjoyable If Debussys airs were
heard oftener.
Apart from this the public of the
Grande Semaine has been forced to ac-
cept the usual run of attractions, al
though one of the smaller local theaters,
La Grimace, has introduced new play
wright in the person Of Faure Fremiet,
whose social drama, lie Souffie du Dis
ordre," has attracted the attention of
the critics very favorably. Fremiet, al
though young, seems to have grasped a
new fashion of presenting his characters
not In the jerky. spasmodic type Of de-
velopment which has so long been used
by French dramatists, but by steady
| nIy fAt or1 1of
mite goal.
The new play has the usual sex basis
otherwise 1t would fail to attract at 'Ls
Grimace," but there is also new eie.
ment in it's Interpretation which predict.
q long run at one of the larger theater.
when the fall season opens. 1t Is als'
reported that an American translation
Is already under way.
The new revue at the Marigny Is, al
revues go, fairly well done, but tho pub
lie is firing Of revues, and after its open
ing night has failed to leave any impress
sion In the theatergoer's memory. o.
course the Genoa conference, the traffic
problem and all of Frances little inte'
rior political worries are caricatured
more or less ably. but the result has no
been satisfactory even to the producers
who are now busy drafting new scenes
which may enable 1t to live out the sum.
mer season and satisfy the country Wis.
itors to the capital.
Even this Is doubtful. however, as the
public is paying greater attention thar
ever to the small concert or music halls
where cool drinks are served from the
aisles and where electric fans can really
be felt Such houses as the Pie qui
Chant, Boite de Fursy, fAbri are filled
nightly. which means only from zoo to
q
lack Of ventilation which characterizes
some Of the larger Partisan theatera