- "PAUL L" AT THE COURT THEATRE
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sm„—May I be permitted to question certain statements of "T. W.," with regard to Paul I. at the Court Theatre ? Your correspondent is of opinion that the play is melo- dramatic and, indeed, ought to be at the Lyceum. I do not know whether that should be taken as a criticism, but what does he mean by " melodramatic " I would draw his attention to the actual words of Count Pahlen to Alexander after the murder of his father. " C'est assez pleurer eomme un enfant ; venez regner." That may be melodrama, but it happens to be history, and in Russia the two are often, perhaps ton often, synonymous.
Again, your dramatic correspondent professes himself unable. to understand how "Paul has become what he is." It may be too much to ask him to study Russian history, but if he read the short historical survey included in the programme, is it not clear to him that Paul's memory of his father's fate, and the cruel treatment which he himself received from his mother, would have been enough to drive any man into those dangerous realms which border on madness 7— I am, Sir, &e.,
9 Eaton Terrace, London, S.W.1. GUY LococK.
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