ANCIENT THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 May 1938, Page 10

ANCIENT THEATRE

STILL USED IN FRANCE The open air theatre at Orange, in France, with seating accommodation for 8,000 spectators, was built in the days of the Roman Emperor Hadrian, and is still used as a theatre. There every summer a number of plays and operas are produced, and the fact that Mr Jacques Rouche, Director of the Paris Opera, has just been chosen as its manager gives some idea of its importance. The acoustics of this open-air theatre are remarkable, and architects of today have been unable to fathom the secret of construction by which members of the audience in any part can hear every word. This effect is obtained by the stone wall at the back of the stage, and tourists visiting the Roman theatre are surprised at the remarkable echo for a whisper from the stage can be heard in the back row. There is a movement in France to make of the theatre of Orange a home of drama and music, such as Stratford, in England, and Salzburg, in Austria. M Georges Brissacq. one of the leaders of this movement, says, “By logic and reason. Orange should become an international shrine for the p : lgrims of music, drama and art. Orange is located in the heart of the Gallo-Ro-man ‘province.’ the cradle of our civilisation. With its radiant sun, Orange has an ideal climate, as it has its past, from Marcus Aurelius to Charlemagne, from William to Orange to Louis XIV. —all this should stimulate the Fino Arts authorities to make of Orange a universal centre for the best

drama and music of the ago. not only of France, but of all countries.”