The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-07-02

do not EQUAL the comedians whom Mr. Matt
rice Grau brought 10 America several sea.
sons ago, with Madame Clarence as the
"star.v The sister was neatly played ny
an actress who resembles Nile. Marimon In
appearance, and al the Baroness Mile. kalb
exhibited some show toilettes, Including
marvel IN rcd and gold brocade. Sara her-
self wore dress somewhat similar 10 the
one lust spoken OF, but her most tastcIu'
aud becoming costume was that OF The scene
IN Venice--a gray tafleta combined VITA
satin Of darker shade, and made high at
the throat IN the peignoir style, which she
effects. The men OF the company are. per-
baps, more acceptable than the women,
Deudonne exceliag as Brigard, GilDefte,s
butter fiy papa--in short, her "awtui uau'
AS Phaedre Sara was remarkable 10 my
mind only for the grsce With which shc oe-
IIyered The trying Alexandrines and the
poetry OF her movement, her attitudes
elicting the comment that "one would
think that she hadn't bone In her BODY -
Certainly she has 10 flesh on her arms,
which were fully displayed by the cut OF
the classic robes OF white and gold. Tue
management OF her draperies. which IN
cluded spang,ed veil. showed consummate
ease. She delivered the sonorous speecncs
intcIligently and meIlfuously and-really
thst Is all. When the moment came
for the love.sick Phrsedrc to display
powers and frenzy, Mile. Bernhardts
physical strength was wholly over.
taxed, and In The most trying scenes Of
the play realized tb 9 force OF Matthew Ar
nold's criticism thst " Rachel began where
Mile. Bernhard; leaves on" The represen-
taiion Of Racine's tragedy also brings Tor
ward Mile. Jesnre Bernbsrdt, who plays the
wbitc.rose-crowne6 virgin who successfully
rivals Phaedre in her step-son's affections.
Nile. Jeanne is almost as thin as Sara, Dut
not quite rs tall: she acts very acceptably,
although she relinquisbed the stage until
lately in favor OF more limited sphere, ana
believe there has been some talk OF her
appearing as Opbelia to her sisters Hamlet
Jeanne bears such family likeness TO Sara
az 10 make the relationship unmstakable.
Tbe performance of Racine" Is generally
voted extremely dull. The services OF the
musicians are dispensed with during the
French season at the Gaiety, and after
entire acts enliyeued only by conversation
aud the consumption OF ices from paper
boxes, the traditional three knocks sound
and the curtain Uses. Toole contemplates
a double hit at the performances in French
by English actors al the Prince OF Wales
and at the three knocks by announcing the
old farce OF "lci ron Parle FrancaIs i" as
TO be played by sctois who will speak IN
English aud BY himself, giving three blows
with his hammer as the enterprising Sprig-
gins. In a box ut The Gaiety the other
night studying Bernhardt's methods no
ticed our American actress, Miss Kate For
sythe, who plays the leading roles with
Mir. John Mccullough. With her was her
mother, her cousin. and Miss Courtney
Barnes, Rose Eytinge's daughter.
THE AMERICAN ENGAGEMENT.
Mile. Bernhard will, az you doubtless
know, sail for America IN the autumn. hav-
ing signed contract With Manager Henry
Abbey. She will make her list appearance
at Booths Theatre on October 18Th. but in
what role, | believe. i not yet decided.
Undoubtedly she will appear in ala Dame
Aux Camelias" duriI z her soiourn in the
United States. II would be a wise move
for her to study English a Ia Modieska and
and do Camille" bat she will probably
not take the trouble. Her knowledge OF
our language is, | believe, restricted to
such expressions as "All raght." 1t is
intended that Mile. Bernhardt shall act
four weeks in New York, and l
bear that her terms are one third
of the gross receipts, it being understood
that this third shall not fall below 5000
for each representation. To this add $50
per diem for expenses, and you will per-
ceiye that Sara has an excellent certainty,
no matter whether the management makes
or loses. | am reluctantly forced to the
conclusion that Bernhardt will be colossal
failure In America for many reasons. A
fortnight in New York, something less IN
Philadelphis, Boston, and the other prin-
cipal cities might do TO assuage the desire
to see this success OF curiosity; but when
it Is discovered that she is not the equal
of Ristori, who lost money in the
States, certainly far from being such
magnetic actress as Clara Morris, and, above
all, when it is taken into consideration
that she speaks no foreign language,
| fear that the receipts will tumble and
the management be out OF pocket. But
somebody must be Sara's victim In director
ship; why not, then, man who can stand
the inevitable losses! The most serious
thing against Sara is that she Is not sufil-
GENTLY clever to enable those unfamiliar
with French to divine what she Is talking
about. Ristori needed no translator; her
meaning spoke in her face, her voice, her
figure. lind many Americans here who
think Sara not only conventional, but unin-
telligible, and it Is the verdict OF one who
understands every word she says that, we'll
trained as she is, she Is little more than
bard worker.
And how she does work After acting
Adrienne Lecouvreur twice on Saturday
week, both morning and evening. she
changed her dress and rehearsed Frou-
Frou until 5 O'Clock Sunday morning.
After all these hours OF fatigue she could
have had very little sleep, for at noon on
Sunday she was at q breakfast party at the
house of Labouchere, editor OF Truth. Well
may one call her woman OF steel.
WALSINGHAM.
Editors DiSDQtd In referring to me