The New York herald., 1922-07-09
TWEEN SEASONS THEATRICAL NEWS AND COMN1EN

changed at MS suggestion. II contains
cabaret scene which caught his eye. as
well as one Of those mother themes he
has minted before. There are several
other comedies. notably Gandera,s
About Coeur." which have quality, but.
I confine my comment only to those.l
happen to know we shall see again IN
new dress.
The More Serious Plays. =.
The more serious plays this spring
have been few and not highly notable,
Pitoeff has been at the little theater on
top Of the Theatre Champs Elysees all
winter and produced a large repertoire
of continental successes. He Is rare
"metteur en- scene" and each thing he
does has some compelling point OF in
terest. He is now giving Gorky's ''Bas
Fonds" after an experiment with
Measure For Measure" But one serious
drama by a Frenchman is in his
repetoire--"Le Mangeur De Reves''
Lenormand. in this play, interests him.
self In abnormal psychology and treats
for the first time in the French theater
with his habitual willingness. psyche
analysis. a subject little known and dis
cussed her.
''Natchalo" by Salmon and Saunier.
Personally found 1t at times difficult
to- follow. as 1t is written in a French
idiom not easy for stranger, but there
are arresting scenes as fine as any !
have seen In my two years OF theater
going. One Characterization. too In
particular--that OF Russian who be-
lieves because he Is told to believe con-
trasting thus with the French esprit,
which must know the logic and reason
for things-is dramatic writing of
high order "Nafchaloo tc N 81
cal work outside the usual currant of
French plays and as such has an added
Importance. -
This study of the Russian tempera-
nent, under the revealing test of the
revolution was produced at the Theatres
des Arts, which. however. is no longer
under the control of the authors. who
have until recently cooperated in its
management. And this calls attention
to several groups and embryonic move
ments which are stirring about Paris.
for every one acquainted with the condi-
tons here realizes that the Boulevard
theaters have been practically closed not
only to the young writer's. but also closed
for plays of other than obviously popular
pretention.
The authors are thus binding to-
gether for protection and production:
but one feels a lack OF cohesion because
OA tEC tSHueHCy 10 DTedk away Wnen OC-
casion offers and also because the
French temperament seems too individu-
alistic to work In groups. However,
groups are being formed and uniformed.
The latest to show vitality is known as
the Chimere. Originally started by Gas
ton Baty, a splendid stage director, who
gained his experience with Gemier, it has
now taken into its fold number Of
authors originally identified with the
Canard Savage. This latter organiza-
tion 1t will be recalled. originally pro-
duced several plays Of Importance and
then split up-Mauger. their director,
continuing at the Nouveau Theatre, where
during the last season he has produced
some twenty plays, among them this
week two American one act plays. one q
poetic drama by Constant Lounsbery.
At the Mathurine Theater.
The opening bill Of the Chimere
at the Mathurins Theatre, proved any
thing but promising, though the schol.
arly Schlumberger's play made un suo-
ces d'estime. But the second bill showed
the mettle of it's authors. for Jean
jacques Bernard's Mortine proved a
delicate study of a young girls emotions.
indicating an author OF rare sensibility.
II was sustained In spite Of its studied
simplicity. The little one act comedy
Infinite" that follows. is written with
"a rich SAVIOUR and fun which Is undoubt-
edly the beginning OF successful the
atrica career for its author. Jean Victor
Pellerin. hitherto identified as a novelist
1t deals with couple who decide to pass
quiet evening at home together. As
they sit by the lamp the thoughts Of
each are visualized in the background.
eliminating In q situation one might
call characteristically Gallo. -
The other day I went to a rehearsal
and at his request gave his students
a subject for a little piece. After a few
minutes Of discussion among them
selves they returned on the stage and
acted out a perfect little drama with a
spontaneous flow of dialogue in which
was unconsciously mingled all the
tricks OF repliques we dramatists strus.
gle sometimes SO laboriously to achieve
Dublin himself acts with the troupe. ana
the few public performances this year
have achieved serious consideration
1t is only the commencement. but 1t 10
one of the few vital things / have
found here which look into the
future. / should not at all be sur.
prised to learn in few years that
Dublin possesses theater OF his own.
where ne can accomplish at his ease
the plans he has in mind. At present
he Ia rehearsing Alexandra Arnoux's
translation Of CaIderons lie Vie Est
un Songe" to be produced at the
vieux Colombier, generously loaned By
Copeau.
Comme retaliation of Theater.
Thus there are STRINGS of protest
against the commercialization which as
ever hangs over the theater. Certainly
here, as elsewhere. this financial side
has been more accentuatcd by the
speculation in leases and the excessive
costs OF initial production. Yet is tnfs
different In anything but degree from
other times? Or has the maximum
been reached so that now this neces-
sary consideration Of the commercial
side Is having a corroding effect on
vital creative work? Certainly the
theater to-day has not kept pace with
the novel since the war; There IL 10
as vigorous and stimulating as ever.
The fatigue Of the theater and. gen.
orally speaking its lack OF vitality
every one admits. even the playwrights
themselves. with a bit OF vision. One
wonders about the future of the drama
here under present conditions for tpe
French authors are many and the field
of initial presentation is limited to, some
twentv stages in Paris. Is this caus-
ing n new spirit or Is II the same old
story? 49,,
The other day went up to little
restaurant on Montmertre with fvette
Guilbert and Jean Rictus. the poet. we
lunched with some Of Madame's pupils
out under the trees of the little COURT
49,. s-a-~ Aor pUIinrds En- B0fs.