"THE BLUE BIRD" CLUB.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 819, 17 May 1910, Page 3

"THE BLUE BIRD" CLUB.

That beautiful fairy play, Maeterlinck's "Blue Bird," has been the second artistic sensation of the 1910- season, and has, says the English correspondent of an Australian paper, attracted crowded houses to the Haymarket Theatre since its production. During the greater part of tie run there have been two performances a day. The "Blue Bird" threatens to pass from the category of theatrical successes, and become -a public institution. "Peter Pan" added now phrases and new ideas to the common stock. It seems probable that Maeterlinck's play will do the same thing. It has already led to the creation of a secret society, the members of which are known as the 'T3lue Birds." A number of well-known literary, musical, and artistic women have banded themselves together, their object being "the pursuit of happiness"! Thero are to be periodical club dinners. Beyond this, nothing has been revealed. It may be that the "Blue Birds" will seek to exercise the influence upon literature and art which their predecessors, the "Souls," did 20.years ago. One thing may be hoped. It is that ■the "Blue Birds" will be more successful in their primary aim than little Tyltyl and Mytyl in Maeterlinck's play. The little hero and heroine'never found lasting happiness. Perhaps the most pathetic' incident in. the fairy story is that in which Tyltyl throws back the opal gates of the Hall of Nigh-; and finds the Blue Bird. And not one alone, but "thousands of them I—millions!—-thousands of millions!" The little fellow catches the fluttering things by h^ndfuls. He staggers out of tho Garden of Night. And, lo! when he looks at his dream captives they '' are dead. Happiness, lasting hapiness, Bays Maeterlinck, cannot live in the light of day.