“ST. JOAN” IN EUROPE

Grey River Argus, 17 June 1925, Page 8

“ST. JOAN” IN EUROPE

TRIUMPHANT SUCCESS. PARIS AND RIGA. LONDON, May 18. Mr Bernard Shaw’s much discussed play on the subject of Joan of Arc has been produced at the little Theatre des Arts, Paris, by an excellent French company, under the title of “Sninte Jeanne.” The critics, who all devote long articles to the play, mostly express surprise after having seen the play for themselves that their London and New York confreres should have wasted so much ink to convey the idea that the play constitutes an irreverent attack on the Maid. There is nothing in the piece. the Figaro insists, that should wound the most delicate susceptibility. The fears of British and American critics the Temps declares to be unfounded, and it pronounces “Sainte Jeanne” to be “one of the most remarkable of the Shavian plays.” Mr Shaw’s portrait of Warwick, the same journal declares is a complete model of the British politician and a marvel of finesse and of irony which may perhaps account, it slyly suggests, for the, London public’s distaste for the play. Yet. another writer goes so far as to admit that his previously published statement to the effect that the play would offend French taste was absolutely unfounded, and he unhesitatingly withdraws it.

Taken all round, “Sainte Jeanne,” in her French dress (says the Morning Post Paris correspondent), can only be regarded as a triumphant success. Mme. Ludmilla Pitoeff is an admirable Joan, and her husband is excellent as the Dauphin. Lc Journal says it is “the most adorable play ever written about our national heroine.” This critic, is delighted with “the little peasant girl so full of the plain common sense characteristic, of our peasants even to.day. ’ ’

“For four hours Mr Shaw keeps us breathless by the force of his genius. “A moving miracle of intelligence,” “Splendid, unique, ferocious, and deliciously tender and humorous,” “The (lifts of an immortal writer” arc other laudatory phrases. IN LETTISH. The production of “Saint Joan” in a Lettish translation by the National Theatre of Latvia, in Riga, is acclaimed by the local press as a great triumph for the young State Theatre of the Republic. The piece was produced by Christap Linde, the chief producer of Hie National Theatre, and the part of the Maid was played by Mme Lilin Erika. At the first performance the theatre was crowded and the play had an enthusiastic reception.