Max Reinhardt’s New Theatre

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 532, 8 December 1928, Page 22

Max Reinhardt’s New Theatre

Lake for a Stage

Max Reinhardt, the famous German producer, has entrusted Professor Oskar Strnad, the well-known Austrian architect, with the construction of his new “Schlosstheater” in the park of his castle at Leopoldskron, near Salzburg. Professor Strnad intends to create an entirely new type of theatre. It will hold only 200 spectators, and is to he something of a private studio for Reinhardt. In this place he intends to present productions to his many visitors before they are played at his theatres in Berlin and Vienna. The facade of the building is to be adapted to the architecture of the surrounding park. The stage will be situated between the auditorium and the “lake” in the park. This lake, which is to be used as a second scene, will be the most surprising feature of the new theatre. Round an oval a series of boxes will be placed for the spectators. This oval may also be used for stalls. In case, however, the play requires three different scenes to be performed simultaneously, the oval can be cleared and used for the third scene. This three-part division of the scene offers new and surprising possibilities for the stage-manager. Thus it will be possible to perform in two places by daylight, while the lake, which may be entirely shut off, will be pitch-dark. Since re main stage will lead straight into the park horsemen may gallop right on to the stage, and the lake renders it possible for little boats to move on the stage. When Professor Strnad finishes his plans he will start the construction of the building, so that the theatre may be opened by Augußt next.* Max Reinhardt has not yet decided on the play for the opening performance, but it will probably be one by Shakespeare.

COTHURNUS.

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Recently in England, Sybil Arundale—so popular in Australia 15 years ago—was asked to “try the acoustics” of the new Embassy Theatre at Swiss Cottage. She sang the refrain of “Dear Little Cingalee,” the principal song in “The Cingalee,” the name-part in which was played by her at Daly’s Theatre 24 years previously. Just as she finished, a workman stopped in his work, and called out: “Good for you miss—the last time I heard that song was when you sang it on the first night!”

“East Lynne” is undergoing a world revival. A new generation has found out its potency as a tear-extractor from audiences. New York has the fever, Melbourne had an outbreak with Muriel Starr as Lady Isobel, and now it is in Sydney with that very sound actress, Hilda Dorrington, as leading lady. In that new version “Little Wil--1-e is a lad of fifteen, and the role has been strengthened. The company, which is Carl Lawson’s, includes himself, John Galway, Connie Martyn, Joan Watson, Leslie Jones, Rex Lee and Nell Taylor. This repertory company, headed by Hilda Dorrington, played a successful season in Adelaide just previous to this. The following week “A Honeymoon Wife” will be presented.