Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-12-22
Playing the bible.

Mr.. J. II. SIDDoNs, in one of the interest
ing European Retrospects" he is contribut-
ing to the Boston Journal, gives the follow
ing account of singular stage representa-
tion he once saw in Paris:
was presented five years ago at one OF
the most extraordinary dramatic perform
ances that ever was produced even upon the
daring French stage. 1t partook of the
ancient mysteries and moralities, wanting,
however, the excuse of the absence, Of a
printed Bible for usurpingth modern meth
Cd for teaching the Christian religion. / had
gone into the Ambigu Comique under the
idea that was about towitness some come
dy, in which rash youth, the hero, had
sacrificed the love of an interesting heroine
through his own designations, and that the
title of the piece had been selected as happi-
ly descriptive of the young gentleman's
loss. He had forfeited Paradise! When,
however, ! entered the theater profound
silence reigned. / had great difficulty in
gettinga a seat and was tlength squeezed in
to the corner of little box in the first circle
through the medium of q silver key. The
first thing that met my eyes on the stage
was the forbidden tree, and Adam and Eve
conversing! Adams very first words ar
rested my attention: "La grace elait dams
les pas, lie ciel dams les yeux I" "Grace was
in all your steps," "Why," exclaimed |
aloud, '"this is Milton" Chut! came in
loud whispers from several mouths. One
added in low voice, "Oui. Monsieur, c'est
votre Milton" From that moment | was
absorbed. Eve was represented by a lovely
woman whose golden hair fell to her feet.
Adam was fine specimen of youth
Around the person of each was a fanciftll
arrangement of muslin. as if a cloud had
accidentally fallen to fulfill the Office which
Afterwards devolved on the fig leaves
Adam left the scene, and Eve being alone
was soon accosted by the serpent, who
wound about the trunk of the tree after q
manner fearfully representing nature; but
he soon casthis skin and sprung up from a
trap door in the guise of a very handsome
man, clothed in white muslin robe, en-
circed in a golden girdle. His ample hair
was so arranged us to give it the appearance
of horns, and gilt cloven feet decorated his
neither extremities.
The whole process of the temptation, bor-
rowed from Milton, was admirably acted.
The crime is committed Suddenly the
stage darkens, the angel of the Lord appears,
and armed witha flaming sword drives the
offenders from the garden. The second act
introduces us to Cain and Abel-the sacri-
fice-the murder-Cains reInorse and. Ewes
grief Here Lord Byron was pressed into
the service, and l followed the translation
of his Gain: Mystery The third act
represents scene of bacchanalian revelry.
All Mesopotamia is drunk. Vice in every
form is depicted-woman's vanity, mans
sensuality. In the midst of the orgies (rep-
resented as they only can be in large
French theater with 800 performers) rush
ing noise is heard-a deep gloom gradually
settles upon the revelers-the waters pour
in-the people are frantic-dismayed-the
deluge has begun! 1t continues marvellous
ly portrayed, until the whole scene is en-
veloped in perfect darkness, and nothing is
heard but shrieks, groans and discordant
music. The next act opens on wild waste
of waters, perfectly calm. Bodies and
branches of trees float upon the surface
upon jutting rock stand Adam and Eye,
while the Evil One triumphantly points to
the desolate scene and eXclaims, VoyeZ! lie
resultat de ton trepasl Atthat moment the
ark appears in the distance-the dove re-
turns to it bearing the olive branch-the
back scene opens and Salvador Mundi stand
ing on the globe announces Gods mercy
and the Redemption. Exit Satan-and
eXeunt the audience, all the old women and
young women piteously crying, beating
their breasts, making the sign of the cross,
and calculating, AIea culpa, mea maxima
culpa!
Such things may shock very serious peo-
pie, but Fam not ashamed to confess that
the whole morality affected me deeply. 1t
would be well if the stage were never ap-
piled to any worse purposes,