A Theatrical Novelty.

Otago Witness, Issue 2666, 19 April 1905, Page 82

A Theatrical Novelty.

—Play Which Began in the DressCircle —

It is «ometim-js dangerous to introduce novel effects in drama without giving clue notice to the police beforehand, as was exemplified in an incident which occurred at the theatre in Metz a few days ago. A new play was there produced of which the first act began not upon the sta.?e, but in the front row of the dress circle. In the middle of the front row were seated a lady and gentleman, the former wearing an enormous hat.

This naturally croused the -.VTath of those behind — as was intended, — ancl in a few minutes a man dressed in a policeman's uniform came forward ancl insisted that the hat should be removed.

— R-r-r-r-r-revenge. —

The gentleman protested and championed his fair companion. In the ensuing row (which the audience, of course, imagined was altogether unpremeditated) tho hat fell from the dresS circle to the feet of a gentleman sitting in the stalls, who immediately picked it up, cried out, " It's my wife's hat. I will havo r-r-r-r-revengo ! " and rushed precipitately r rom the rheatro.

This ingenious device, had its due effect, and for the first three nij>hts «rverythi,ig went well. On the fourth, howencr. a now policeman was placed 011 clu'y in iho. theatre-.

Calmly standing at the post of duty, ho was around by a disturbance in the cL-es* circle.

— Under the Policeman's Eye. — -

He glared upwards -with an ea^lo eve-, and, finding ihat that had 210 avaih rushed up to the dress circle. What was his horror on finding that the man who wa^ making most noise of all was a member of his own foree — or v.as at lca.-t dressed in that uniform.

Yet tho face was unfamiliar to him, and the stranger, far from paying any attention to him, continued his unseemly wangling c\cn more vigorously than bcfoie. ThU -was moie than outraged lu.Uire could stand.

—All in the Bill.—

The real policeman ru=hod at his ftil-ef t il-e comrade, seized him by the coll.-.i. and a desperale combat ensued amid the cheers of the audience.

It was only quelled (say* the Manche-t<M-Guui.lian) by the effoils of the whole staff

of the thoalro, headed by the manager, who at last managul io convince the upholder of law and ord< r that the disturbance was all "m the bill."'