FRENCH REFORMS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1746, 10 May 1913, Page 11

FRENCH REFORMS.

CHILDREN ON THE STAGE. . Jiy a.circular issued to the Prefects of Departments and diir:etors of theatres, in l'rance, M. Leon Btrnrd, the UnderSecretary of State for Fins Arts, has made some wise .restrictions as to the employment of children on the stag;, whether theatre, variety, or cafe concert (states a French correspondent). For instance, in future no child under nine will be parmitttd to appear at all on the stage. Theaties in which children form the cast will continue to be prohibited, as is the employment of children under thirteen for cafe concerts. No child under 1G may perform perilous feats or dislocation exeroises. Finally, children must hold a school certificate, otherwise they cannot be employed, even during the vacation, on touir. 11. Franck, director of the Apollo Theatre of Varieties, thinks these provisions too Draconian, if they are intended to bo strictly adhered to, for they mean, the suppression of such a masterpiece as Maeterlinck's "Blue Bird." Thio Association of Directors of Theatres has not yet taken any steps in the way of protest, but >[. Franck thinks that they will be bound to discuss the new situation very seriou;/ly. '