“CHAMTICLER.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2742, 22 February 1910, Page 6

“CHAMTICLER.”

FARMYARD PLAY A SUCCESS.

Cable information last week contained news that M. Rostand’s play “Chanticler” _ was produced in Pans before a brilliant audience. There has probably never been so much excitement over the production of a iplay as over this work of M. Rostand. The famous Frenchman took five years to write it, and it lias been in the public eye longer than that. Tile reputation of the author (his “ Cyrano de Bergerac” has become a classic), the extraordinary subject of the play, ano the eminence of the players engaged have tuned public interest up to a very high pitch. M. Rostand clearly understands the art of advertisement for while, keeping his plot a secret as long as possible, he skilfully kept the public interested in the production. Tne play was written expressly for tile great Coquelin, hut he died shortly after it was nut into rehearsal. Iteoort lias it that Sarah Bernhardt asked to be allowed to take the part of the rooster, but M. Rostand refused. The play deals with the lordship of a roosterover a farmyard, and his falling in love with a hen pheasant. The liens believe the rooster when he tells them -tliat the sun rises every morning at his bidding. Herein no doubt lies some or the satire mentioned in the cable, M. Rostand insisted on the players dressing their parts exactly, and Paris has been extremely eager to see some of its favorite actors and actresses made up as live stock. The rehearsals have been full of trouble, for the players naturally found it hard to embrace with beaks on, and it was with the greatest difficulty that the rival roosters were taught to prod each other with their spurs. Before the play was produced M. Rostand got £26,000 for the rights of publishing" it, and as seats were selling at huge prices weeks before the opening night, his total returns are likely to be handsome.