“REIGEN”

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIII, 23 May 1922, Page 2

“REIGEN”

PLAY UNDER ARMED GUARD. Prohibited for a long period because of the disturbances to which it gave rise, Schnitzler’s famous play, “Reigen,” is again being presented at Vienna under remarkable conditions. When the police ban was removed, the author himself refused to allow the play to be staged unless the theatre management gave adequate guarantees against the possibility of such riotous demonstrations of protest as have occurerd recently, not only in Vienna but also in Berlin and other cities in Germany. Then the management turned to the authorities, who offered full protection on condition that the theatre bore the expense. This was agreed to, with the result that there were extraordinary scenes on the opening night in the vicinity of the theatre. Across the approaching streets were drawn cordons of armed police, who only allowed ticket holders to pass. All the doors were guarded by armed 1 posts and plain clothes officers sat among the audience.

An iron shutter protected the stage deor, and the artists were admitted only after giving a special password. These precautions proved effective, and there is evidence that they were necessary.

During the evening bands of youths, members of the so-called “German National Offensive and Defensive League for Austria,” appeared in the neighbouring streets, but the sight of the strong armed cordons quenched their ardour to impose their ostensible views of stage morality.