The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-09-10
PdriSianS Rebel
Against Price of
TheateY Tickets
Resentful Because the Subsi-
died Houses Keep Up
Cost Of Seats.

VAN hA0u Cpct VI hNiHBs Iho mgr
price OF theater seats. ana tn,
often requested attempt Il
change the plots of French plays
three questions which rebound al
every, opening Of a Paris theatrical
season-have again appeared before
the winter season opens.
The first two are closely connected
and this time are introduced by spec
tators. actors, managers and the per-
sonnet OF Paris theaters alike. Spec
tators are at present making loud
protests that the time has now come
for prices OF seats to be reduced. They
complain they would go to a theater
much more often, but cannot do so at
present because the high cost Of liv.
ing does not allow them to spend much
money on amusements. They com
plain against the price Of adnittance
charged by Frances subsidized the
aters such as the Opera, Opera Com
iuue. Coincide Franchise, &C., where
they consider that prices need not b.
so high because of the subvention &C.
corded these theaters by the Govern.
ment. Managers Of the establish.
ments, however. reply that they, ant
more especially their personnel. are
also hard hit by the high cost of liv.
ing. Actors and actresses, they claim
will not hear of reduction in theii
salaries. nor will any Of the staff.
II the audiences again fail in their
appeal for reduction they will then pro-
pose that the price of seats also take
in cost OF cloak room tickets. They will
also suggest that henceforth no supple
n.entary charge be made to those who
book seats in advance. and they will de-
mand a uniform price for programs to
be sold by the staff OF the theater In
stead Of Intermediates. usually outside
who charge any price they think the
spectator can pay. Theatergoers also
want tips to be abolished in all theaters.
Want Wholesome Plays.
The question Of changing the style OF
plays produced I'm France Is an old one.
The light. and often suggestive, shows
presented nowadays have practically al
ways existed, but to-day a strong move
ciean and wholesome plays produced.
The movement has been started by
audiences themselves in most cases,
backed by influential moralists OF the
country. These campaigners state that
when people want light, suggestive mat
ter, there are plenty OF music halls and
reviews to please them, and that thea
ters proper should hold themselves
within reasonable limits
Whatever be the outcome of this cam
paign, it is noticeable that plays of a
light character. which have already had
record runs are still going strong. Phi
than six hundred times, after changing
theaters several times, and then finally
retired to make way for "Dede," sim
liar play, '.Phi-Phi" has again beer
shown to crowded houses at the Bouffes-
Parisiens.. 1t will have to leave there
in October. however. for resumption OF
"Dede." 1t is probable that once again
"Phi-Phi" will find a new home.
Musical comedies and REVEALS of old
French favorites will probab y be the
attraction this winter. The merry
Widow" which only left French boards
on account OF the war. has been re-
vived In France. and during the summer
has been sent round the provinces and
fashionable watering places, to try out
the French public on foreign and former
enemy music. The success which has
attended this resumption has decided
managers in Paris to bring back the
MERRY Widow to Paris and In October
II is to return to It's former home. the
Apollo.
Ballots ne the Opera.
Other attractions. but of a different
character. will be Russian and Swedish
ballets, to be given at the Opera. II
Is certain that the Swedish ballets will
be seen In Paris, and IL the money Is
forthcoming, as Is expected, Diaghilevs
famous ballet depicting La Belle au
Bots Dormant with It's twenty-one
pieces Of eighteenth century scenery will
be shown at the opera A million and
half francs Is wanted. and In view OF
the fact that Diaghilev is now in Bel.
GUM. It Is more than probable that
satisfactory arrangements will be made
Tor a season In Paris.
The hopes entertained that Sarah
Bernhardt would take the title role in a
reopening play at her own theater have
been doomed by the announcement that
La Dame aux Cameiias' win be re-
Sived there with Mile. Simone Frevalles
as principal. Nor Is II expected tina,
the divine Sarah" will figure for the
first part of the season in any new play
TO be written by her son-in-law, Louis
Nerneuil. He has just had his ia
Pomme" accepted for the Theatre
Michel, and from what can be gathered
OF the roles In II none would suit Sarah
That Cecile Sorels departure for Can.
ada and. the United States Is not TO bt
expected for the near future Is limited In
the announcement that she is to reap.
pear In "LAdventuriere" at the Comcdis
Franchise during the winter.
A sketch In the Folies- Bergere review.
about which numerous American visi-
tors TO France have complained, Is
finally to be modified, following recent
trouble during 4 presentation between
the two artists playing the chief roles.
The sketch represented life and death
struggle between white man and a
black, enacted in the home OF famous
Oriental Queen. here. represented by a
white woman. the winning prize being
white girl. The affair usually ended
In tho white Queen /goading the negro
winner OF the struggle, t. death by SER
pcnt poisoning. Recently. however. the
negro artist. real negro. complained
OF his role. and suggested IL be modi.
fled and that he be lawfully given his
prize. To this the Queen objected. and
all went on as before until toward the
end OF the sketch. seeing the negro re-
fuse TO die when supposedly bitten by
the serpent, the Queen left the stage
and refused to return.
Among new plays to be produced IN
Paris liz the British importation, BY
Max Dearly, of Tons OF Money" which
/ II Is claimed was huge success In Lon