"THE BLUE BIRD."

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1729, 21 April 1913, Page 8

"THE BLUE BIRD."

MAETERLINCK'S FINE FANTASY. "The Blue Bird," a dream phiy, l>y Maurice 'Maeterlinck, in six act.-. Cash— Mummy Tyl Irby Marshall Daddy Tyl A, It. ElawUord Tyltyl Gertie Crcmor Mytyl Vera Spaull Fairy Dcrylunc Gcorgie O'Mcum Bread Harry llalloy Fire Charles Mettam Tylo, tho Dok Maurice Dudley Tylette, the Cat Tjashhroa!* Water Jlatlge Klliott Milk Cazaila Sugar T... lirandcbton Kcvctt Light .. Nellie Calvin tfart'er Tvl Frank Karconrt Granny Tyl Vera- Keogh Night Irby Marshall Oak' William Lockhart Timo William Lockhart Neighbour Berlingot Georgia O'Miara

"Maeterlinck's, dramas aro not dramas of action, but of thought. His plays are pervaded by melancholy, his cnaracters suggesting a vain iu tile inexorable web of late." Xlius a biographer sums up the dramatic works ol the beigian genius, whose extremely beautiful and fascinating laniasy, "xhe Bute Bird," was presented to an audience which filled tile Opera Mouse on Saturday evening. In the main, the biographer is right, but the lines were ■prooably written before "The Bluebird" Hashed from the intellect ot Maurice Maeterlinck to add fresh laurels to those already won by "Tho Lite of a Bee," "Pelleas and Melisande," and "Moinia Vanua," lor in "The Blue Bird" (first produced in 1009) action is far from lacking, whilst the wells of thought are deep. Although there were no wild bursts of applause, no furious stamping of the feet, the play held the big audience—held it fascinated by - tho profundity of its thought and the delicate investiture with which the sentiment of each .was clothed. Asked what "The Blue Bird" is, many would find it difficult to explain, biu there is little doubt that the fantasy w born of a brilliant imagination, brought to bear- on the mysteries of life, and that the wanderings of the dreamers, Mytyl and Tyltyl, most fancifully represent tho vain probings of man —babes iu the wood of Fate. It is said that Jlaeterliuck wrote "The Blue Bird" for the edificatiou of his children, and never contemplated its stage production. This is scarcely believable. One reason a-'ainst that belief is that, genius as ho is Maeterlinck is an experienced playwright, and the probability that The Blue Bird" would one day be performed is evidenced by the elaborate instructions, and the scenes and the actions of charac- J tors in tho published copics of tho play. Furthofniore, tho play is richly vomed w satire and quaint Uuniouv —tnuca oi it too subtle for the work-a-day mind to grasp. But the all-pervading sentiment of ihe Blue Bird" is the appealing purity of its pathos, and the wonder of it Iks m the compelling simplicity of language which is employed so very effectively iu giving expression to that "fancy that flows from Tegions out of sight." The pi«? is very faithfully performed and, bcmitilnUy produced.- It is unfortunate, pet-haps, that two of tho big scenes—the Palace of Happiness and "the Graveyard—hati to be omitted, but the exigencies of ti'.io demand a reduction in tho length or the piny, and these are sacrificed on tho aitar of expediency. • . Most people who take their plnygoing seriously must have an idea of tne plot of "The Blue Bird," as the printed play has' already gone through twenty-eight editions, and is still selling freely in every language. It is the dream of the Tyl children— Mvtyl and Tyltyl—who are commanded "by the l'airy Berylnno to search for the blue bird (happiness). To dic-ct this purpose, Tyltyl (the boy) is given a green cap ornamented with an enchanted diamond "which makes people see." One turn and the son! of everything is disclosed: another turn reveals the past: still another tho future. To illustrate this the fairy places tho cap on the boy's head, and no sooner does he give the diamond a turn than tho hours come dancing out of tho clock (twelve beautiful girls in white, each bearing a figure), the plates and bins on the dresser light up and spin round, the Bread jumps from his pan, Water emerges from the tap, impetuous ' Fire springs from the settle/Sugar bursts from tne cupboard, pale Milk breaks from her jub, the cat and dog become human, aud gleaming Light sheds her soulful presence' on tho animated scene. Whilst all are enjoying their release from silence, a knock is heard—it is Daddy Tyl. The fairy commands Tyltyl to turn the diamond, but tho action is mado too late for some of the elements to return to their prisons, and these are compelled to accompany the children on their search. The Doj» is ever faithful, but tho Cat is sly and treacherous; Bread agrees with cveryono; Water and Fire are continually in steamy conflict; Sugar and 'Milk are harmless inanities; but Light is everyone's friend, and the leader of tlie strange company. Together the children visit the Land of Memory, just across the Lethe, and there, after the fogs havo lifted, discover to their joy Granddad and Granny Tyl (long since dead) peacefully sleeping in the sunshine before an ivy-grown cottage. At tho approach of the children they wake up, and there is a glad meeting. Here, it appears, a thought by those on earth is sufficient to awaken the ono so remembered in the Land of Memory. So, when the children remember their dead brothers and sisters, out they all troup from the cottage; when they think of the time the. clock strikes, and the remembrance of the blackbird causes it to sing blithely, but the blackbird is not the blue bird, and tho children, after a touching farewell, must get on with their scarch. In tho forest tlicy . are assailed by the trees, led by hoary old Grandfather Oak, who ono and all regard man as their natural enemy, and who arc urged on to revolt by tho faithleiio Tylette (the cat). The trouble ends in a fight, in which tho children aro saved solely by the exertions of bravo Tylo (tho dog). In tho absence of the blue bird in the forest, Light conducts the marchers to the Kingdom of the Future, a scene which has been sadly weakened by stage cuts. Here aro groups of children strolling about in an unreal hazy blue light, in a chamber from which long vaults with arched entrances recede into the distance in every direction, except immediately in the/centre at tho back. Here are opalescent' doors, through which the clouds are seen rolling by. At a signal tho doors open, and, born on rosy clouds, a great galleon arrives in charge of Father Time, whoso business it is to embark those, children wlio aro to bo born on earth that day. Tyltyl is ono child, who is destined to wipe out injustice from the earth, and tho little red-haired one who walks blindly with outstretched arms is to - conquer death. Then there aro the pretty lovers who have to bo wrenched apart; and the meeting of the Mytyl aud Tyltyl with their future brother. Having mado his selection, Father Time waves his .scythe, and the galleon bears away for earth, as tho chorus of expectant mothers wells up higher and higher, and I lift light fades away.

The chase next transports tlicm to (ho Palace of Night, whew arc inured heliind great brass doors the Sicknesses, tho Wars, the Ghosts, and the Shades and Terrors. In tlio search for the Muo bird these chambers are all unlocked by Tyltrv'l with varying results. A number of gliosis and a skeleton escape, and have to be rounded up again. Mother Night states that the Sicknesses arc very ouiet. "They aro not happy," she says. "Man for some time has been waging; such a determined war upon them, especially since the discovery of the microbes. Only one has the energy to escape whr-n Hie'door is opened—a riueer little figure in a nightcap, dressing gown, and slippers, who sets everyone sneezing. It is Cold-in-tlie-Head. 'Mother Night's trinketsstars, will-o'-the-wisps, and glow-worms are accidentally liberated, and account for n very dainty nnd beautifully-illumin-ated ballot. In one chamber, is found millions of blue birds', but not the right one. The captured birds all din—tin; false happinesses of life. At length tho fruitless <iunst ends. Light brings the children back to their cottagc home, where n sad leave is taken of the soulful elements who have been on the jaunt. With the morning light conies Mummy Tyl to wake her "lazybones," but even when they have rubbed the sleep from their eyes both are nbses.-cd by their wonderful dream. Neighbour BHini'ot drons in. is haiied by T.vltyl as tho Fairy Berylune, and-tlio old lady is delighted when the bay gives her his blackbird for her sick litlle girl, indicating that it was merely Iho previous (lay's happening- which had set tlio dream-dynamo nbuzzing.

In motive, character, ami sentiment Iho play i< clianuiii". I lioiigh one may ca-ilv -co that it would be slightly puzzling to tho Corson who knows nothing of tho play

and just drops in lo "seo the show." The play is richly, enhanced by incidental music, written by Mr. Norman O'Neill, music which bears a harmonious relationship to the action. It was interpreted by a finely-balanced orchestra (hidden from view) conducted by Mr. Edwin Eawlings. "The Blue Bird" is interpreted by a callable east, and includes some remarkably able characterisations. The acting of the children all round was of a high standard, Thero was an entire freedom from stnginess, each little performer Moving: about with ease and naturalness, anil speaking the lines with the correct emphasis and inflection. The 'l'yltyl of little Gerlie Oremcr was admirable in every seiw of the word. Both in speech and action she simulated the adventurous spirit of the boy most, faithfully. Her elocution was something for adults to profit by. As Myltyl little Vera Spaull was naive anil charming. She acted prettily and plaintively throughout and is fortunate in the possession of a low-pilchc-d speaking voice of uncommon melodious quality. Mr. Maurice Dudley quickly won the sympathy of the audicnen as Tylo the Dor. He gambolled and frisked around his beloved "little god," with doggy delight, and his barks were full of meaning. Another very excellent performance was that of Mr. Ernest Lashbrook as Tylette the Cat. He managed his voice most effectively and gave an exceptionally clever study of feline ways. Miss Calvin made a handsome Light, and Miss Madge Elliott was lissome and graceful as the weepful Water. The characters of Time and the Oak were capitally characterised by Mr. Wm. Lockhart. Mr. Harry Haliey was an unctions and self-

satisfied Bread. Mr. Charles Mettam was properly fervid as Fire, and Mr. B. Eevett was Sugar.

The play was adequately mounted on the London plan, the scenery having been painted by Messrs-, Joseph Harker. Leslie Board; and Wm. Little. The lighting effects are very beautiful, but there were occasions when there was nothing visible as for the three or four minutes before the shades danced in the Land of Memorv, and when nothing whatever is visible thero is no effect. "The Blue Bird" will bo produced until further notice. There will be matinees on Wednesday and Saturday next.

The management have invited the officers and sailors of the battle-cruiser New Zealand to witness this evening's performance of "The Blue Bird."

The box plan for the final five nights, commencing Saturday next, will be opened to-morrow morning at tho Dresden.