The New York herald., 1922-05-21
Shakespeare Is
Draining Crowds
to Paris Theater
Translations Of Four Master
pieces by Bard of Avon
Popular.
Special Correspondence to THE New York
HERALD

n HAkESPEARE is enjoying great
vogue in Paris just now. The
- most outstanding dramatic event
of the week has been M. Gemier's
production of Midsummer Nights
Dream" at the Odeon. The translation
is that of M. Georges de la Fouchar-
diere, the we'll known wit, and. while
decidedly lively, is not particularly
faithful. The critics have been almost
unanimous in condemning certain
omissions.
The mounting of the piece presents
a strange contradiction. While the
costumes have received the greatest
attention and are in many cases
elaborate. the scenery is plain and
even meager The enchanted wood, for
instance. is merely indicated by few
stumps against a background of a
bare curtain.
Many see in this M. Gemier's love
of paradox and find that it is not the
happiest demonstration of his indi-
viduality, since he assumed direction
of the second state subsidized theater
some weeks ago The most promi-
nent figure in the cast is M. Harry
Baur as Bottom His Interpretation of
the role errs by excess of indifference
to tradition and by a certain sophisti-
cation, too decidedly Partisan for the
real Bottom.
The Odeon is also putting on "The
Merry Wives of Windsor" translated
by NJ. Raymond Gentry, with new in
cidental music by NJ Charles Cuvillier.
The piece has been made to fit into the
severe mold of French classical drama,
and there naturally results a great loss
OF the elements of fantasy and joyous
disorder which constitute so great
part of its individual charm. M. Gen.
try's verse is smooth and easy. and the
faults of his version are CONSTITUTIONAL
rather than stylistic. M. Asselin has
made an excellent impression as Fat
staff, playing with abundant yerve and
rare comic sense. The rest of the
cast, while not remarkable, maintains a
very respectable average.
At the Theatre du Vieux Colombier
Twelfth Night" still continues to draw
good houses. Mile. Bing, as Viola, Is
perhaps the most conspicuous member
OF the cast. Her Interpretation is in
telligent and extremely delicate. The
staging is in keeping with the traditional
simplicity of the theater which, In this
case. happens to be in harmony with
the usage Of the time of Shakespeare.
After an interlude of Russian pieces,
NJ. Georges Pitoeff. who seems to have
settled down to stay at the Coincide
des Champs Elysees, returned to-day
to Shakespeare, with a representation
of Measure for Measure" 1t Is billed
TO run until the end of the month, and
will doubtless be continued on the
boards even longer, IL 1t enjoys success
equal to that of some of the other
Pitoeff Shakespearean productions
The latest modern play, mounted by
the vieux Colombier, is LES Plaisirs
du Hazard" by NJ. Rene Benjamin,
creator of the famous French soldier
type. Gaspard. and one of the most
feared satirists and polemical writer's
of the day. The hero is Dents Ent-
manuel. an engaging young eccentric,
who takes the world as delightful
muddle of contradictions. BY the mouth
of Emmanuel NJ. Benjamin again pays
his respects to the faculty OF the Sor-
bonne, one of his pet aversions and
gives some highly humorous philosophi-
cal reflections on various institutions
and social categories. Written with all
the authors stylistic and dramatic
force, the piece is delighting full houses
and receiving the best of critical notices.
At the Renaissance. Nine. Cora La
parcerie has In La Femme Masquee,"
as usual, role much too young for her,
but to which she brings, as usual, the
greatest dramatic intensity and pro-
found knowledge Of the method of get
ting a scene across to a public with an
Unsuitable appetite for melodrama.
At the Marigny, NJ. Tristan Bernard's
my Love--Mon Amour" has given
place, after a run of a hundred nights.
to "Peche de Jeunesse," by NJ. Marcel
Gerbidon, a three act comedy. built
about the theft of/a dowry and the
repentance OF the amiable thief. 1t cul-
inmates most happily in the marriage
Of the wrogdoer and his gentle tenn
porary victim.
The most interesting character Is
Comte Sigisnlond de la Duronderie, In
stigator of the crime, a most gentleman
ly scoundreI The role is taken to per-
lection by NJ. Andre Lefaur. Mile. Ger
maine Risse. one of the prettiest act
resses In Paris as Odettc, Is. as al
ways the most innocent ingenue that
one could desire.
'I.e Spectre de NJ. Imberger," drama
Of Disappearance and mystification, IS
playing to good houses at the Theatre
st. Antoine. In 1t the usual situation ss
reversed ". Imbcrger, who has disap-
peared, yet Is supposed TO be still alive,
turns out to be really dead, his muir
derer having assumed a remarkably
clever disguise and having appeared be-
fcre persons acquainted with his victim
In order to create the impression of an
eccentric withdrawal from society.
An amusing piece Is presented at the
Theatre de la Porte st. Martin. In a
dramatized version of the novel Les
Don Juanes,' by NJ. Marcel Provost OF
the French Academy. II is unusual TO
see a play before the publication of the
book. The story Is at present running
serially in the Revue dc France and is
In a sense a sequel to Les DENT
Nierges" and Les Anges Guardie." The
cast is strong. including Andre Brule
and Madelaine Lely.
As the end OF the season approaches
musical activity in Paris is becoming
almost feverish. At the Opera the last
week has seen the production OF myth
illogical ballet. "Artemis Troublee," by
Leon Bakst, with music by Paul Parey,
n piece somewhat similar 20 seventeenth
century works like the "Pygmalion" OF
Rameau The action and music are not
very we'll coordnated. owing perhaps TO
the fact that the scenario was written
for the score instead of the score for
the scenario. NJ. Bakst's remarkable
feeling for decorative effect Is, however
agrceably In evidence. Another ballet.
"Frivolant," book by NJ. Pierre Horola
and NJ Jean Pouclgh music by the lat
ter, which treats symbolically OF the