The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-04-02
AM USEMENTS.
Suggestions as TO 4 da ptsfions Of French Plays
for the English stage.


Some French plays may be prepared for
the English stage simply by a careful and COM
plete translation. But these are a very small
portion OF the pieces which are justly admired
for artistic qualities bv Partisan audiences. II
is, indeed, rarely that among the works Of
French dramatists an ythin9 may be found which
has not some artistic signincance when repre-
sented before a French auditory by French
actors. This significance may be remote from
the general drift OF the composition, but II Ia in
harmony with IL, serves at least IA a background
or border or a color suitable to and indicative
OF the place where or the time when the scene is
laid, or both. In works whore the full develop
ment of the dramatic intrigue Is not sufficient to
NIL the time usually allowed for a theatrical rep
rcsentation, authors even 80 sktlful as VI. Sardou
use such backgrounds, such borders, and such
colors. They are indeed padding, but they are
something more they have meaning such as
to broaden and strengthen the general effect Of
the work. This Is we'll illustrated In " Ferreol,"
where certain persons ~ the best society OF AK
appear, and consume considerable time In the
first and in some subsequent scenes. As tho
play Is seen here, the appearance and tall Of
these persons are meaningless. so far as any
proper artistic purpose Is concerned, on the
Parish n stage, however, the case ~ quite differ
ent Aix IA provincial place; society there is
provincial, the style OF dress has provincial
qualities. the pronunciation ana manner
Of speech are provincial the inquisiuveness
and gossip are provincial. These facts ,
as well a. their geueri 4 character, are known to
the people 81 the capital: By exhibiting these
provincial characteristics In all heir variety the
author gives local coloring To hts work ; he also
shows his artistic skill IN painting every indi-
vidua OF the group, and having tnem properly,
| tn { H., significantly, costumed. His work Is
brought into high relief 10y the actors. who ap-
| pear 10 DE the very personages whom they rep.
resent, and to have all of their individual aud
| provincial qualities. A Partisan audience in
stanily apprc ates this skill of author aud actor
! IL Immediately recognizes tue truthiulness oi
| the picture Il experiences the delight caused
| by clever work OF art and. at the same time.
Is transferred TO the provincial town where the
| real dramatic action Ia going on. Carried thus
| 80 the very place OF the scene. the intrigue
seems to oe more real, and consequently Is more
the illusion. and thus has "a legitimate. consist
ent. and useful purpose In the drama.
| As translated for aud placed upon the Ameri-
| can stage, however. all the Significance, and
therefl re all the effectiveness Of these portion:
| OF the work are wanting. Even II the local col.
| oring were retained-the provincial style Of
dress, the provincial dialect, the provincial IAN
| ners, habits OF thought. cnara"ter Of conversa
| tiOn-an American audience could not perceive
| II. IL would have no more sigt ihcance for then
than would tue words OF an unknown language
Aud without wishing to dispArage American
| actors, II NAV be said that they could not bring
| out these local shades, az intended by the
| French author. As m tter Of fact. however
all this colorlng Il lost through the translation
| the provincial personages have no provncia
qualities In either dialect or dress. They are
Just a. much like Pari.ians a. are their auditors
| and In some respects even more 50, unless tn,
| LADIES' of the auditory happen to wear Partisan
| gowns, or those made after precisely the sam'
| styles.
From these reflections some obvious conclu
| sions follow, namely, that IN preparing sucn
| work for the American stage, either tho scent
| should be changed aud laid IN this country
| where corresponding local color could be gtvef
| T. the work by the persunsges, who, aside IRON
| this purpose, are su .ernumeraries, or thei
| parts IN the representation should be left out
| at least to a very great degree. The last men
| toned course Is the simpler ana IL Is Que 4
| which many adaptefs are equal. The othel
would require Dram lists talents and skin
| by leaving out these portions ~ such PLAYS the
would be deprived ot mucn that Is Of the natur
| OF comedy, and very entertaining to an intelll
gent French auditory; but the loss could not 10
appreciated or felt by American audiences
would, indeed, be their gain.