Continental stagecraft

In the spring of 1922 two observant travelers embarked on a ten‑week tour of Europe’s most vibrant theatres, from Berlin’s grand halls to Paris’s intimate stages. Their itinerary weaves through France, Sweden, Germany, Czechoslovakia and Austria, offering a snapshot of a continent still reshaping its dramatic language after the war. The narrative follows day‑to‑day experiences, noting avant‑garde productions alongside popular repertory performances, and preserves the atmosphere of each night.

What distinguishes the account are the detailed sketches drawn by their companion, Mr. Jones, who captured lighting, set design and fleeting mood with a speed that rivals photography. Alongside the drawings, the authors provide thoughtful commentary on directors such as Leopold Jessner and Jacques Copeau, and on venues like the Redoutensaal and the Cirque Medrano, then little known to American audiences. The result is a vivid, almost tactile portrait of a theatre scene in transition, inviting listeners to imagine themselves seated in historic auditoriums, hearing the applause and feeling the unique ambience.