THEATRE ON WHEELS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20623, 23 July 1930, Page 11

THEATRE ON WHEELS.

MORE "THESPIAN CARTS

INNOVATION IN ITALY

Under the auspices of the Fascist Parly and Mie direction of Giovacchino Forzano, I he well-known author and stage manager, a company of actors went on tour last year in (lie south of Italy with a travelling theatre, which was called "11 earro di Tespi," in memory of Thespis, (he attic poet, who gave performances in his famous carl, travelling from place lo place, some 2-160 years ago. The success of the enterprise was beyond their highest hopes. To remote villagers the "cart" seemed full of miracles. This year three theatres on wheels have just .started a spring and summer tour of Italv, and a fourth one is being prepared entirely devoted to lyric opera. Next vear it is expected that these enterprising Thespians will cross tho frontier and wandel 1 much further afield.

When these Thespian actors inaugurated their four 011 lUa.v 22 in Homo, before Mussolini and a distinguished gathering of otlicials, all three "Carls" were drawn up in a line, each company acting in turn, and as the curtain dropped the audience moved ori to the next theatre. So deeply had the players been imbued with the spirit, ot drama that different actors undertook the same character without detriment to their art.

D'Annun/.io's play "La Figlia ili Jorin" lias been given the place of honour in the (our, which has called forth a strong protest ill (lie Ossorvaloro Romano, tln> Papal organ. That, a play condemned by tho ecclesiastical aulhorilies for its immorality should be chosen bv the Fascist authorities to be performed in a public square is to show a Wiint of respect for the Holy City. In spite, of protests, even from so high a quarter, the players went joylully upon their way, even to the \ ilia on Garda of Gabriello D'Annun/.io, whoso works have been condemned wholesale by the Vatican Inquisition. The theatres were set up in (lie grounds of (lie "Vittorialc"—so called from the monument to the Italian victory guarded as a shrino by the poet-soldier—and the audience saw "La Figlia di Jorio" acted against a second background of Lake Garda by (lie light of powerful electric lamps hung from (he surrounding trees.

Three salvoes were fired by cannon which announced the poet's departure from his villa, whereupon his pathway was brightly illuminated by torchlights. Ori his appearance the audience stood up and cheered, but they were silenced by a gesture and these words: "this is no timo for applause. 11 Vittoriale is the. kingdom of silence." So deep was the silence which followed his wishes that the grasshoppers and tree frogs were heard m (lie warm evening air. In the course of a speech made by P'Antiunzio after the performance, in which ho praised the actors, he lel.Uci how (hi? Abruzzi drama had comelo llin , in (he midst, ot other work which entailed t no consultation of many history books All had been laid aside to follow the inner voice," and in 19 days he had written "La Figlia di Jorio, which, lie saiil; "has the rhythm of a country song.