At Paris

What To See and What Not-Diverse Fare

There was once an American in Fans who wanted to see a good show. Not the Comedie Francaise, you understand, but one of those typically Parisian shows that has made Montmartre a symbol for sinful frivolity in New York, Junction City and Pleasantville. So he told the hotel porter and the porter got him a ticket for a real good show at a theatre possibly named the Vaudeville. "Ah," thought the American, practicing a wicked wink. Now ] 11 see some snappy stuff! " He went--and discovered himself viewing a gay little piece entitled Pasteur, a review of that scientist's early life and struggles, all full of the most interesting information on pasteurizing, but with not a pair of gilt slippers or a double-entendre in the cast. So, just to avoid the occurrence of such sad mishaps to those of TIME's clientele who intend to trip over the water this summer, a sketchy review of the Paris theatrical season seems in order. Aham!

No need to comment on the Opera or the Opera Comique or on the Comedy Franchise or the Odeon either, for that matter, except to say that each of the latter two government-subsidized theatres presents a repertory season including the classics and semi-classics of the French stage as well as occasional new pieces. Almost equally well known in their way are the Follies Bergeres and the Casino de Paris, the two big theatres that house revues of the Ziegfeld Follies sort-only very much franker.

Then there is the Grand Guignol-the theatre of one-act playlets of horror and somewhat ribald mirth. No American visit to Paris is quite complete without one seance at the Grand Guignol. The Vieux Colombie-a highly original repertory company of experimentalists in the new stagecraft-should furnish you with several delightful evenings, even if you understand as little French as most New York theatrical critics do Russian. The Guitrys whatever they are acting in, individually or collectively, are worth observation. The Pitoeff company playing at the Comedie Champs Elysees, in The Lower Depths, Androcles and the Lion and others, are almost always interesting.

But what about-er-the so-shockingly Gallic pieces? Well, amateurs of the nude have a wide range of choice. Oh quel Nul at the Concert Mayel O Nul at La Luna Rousse, Le Nu Aux Nues at L'Abri, Ca porte aux Nues at the Montparnasse. In fact the American tourist in Paris should not suffer from lack of diverse dramatic fare. All you have to do is pay your money and take your choice, and-especially to one of these nice light comedies by Racine or Corneille-your wife.