New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-04-28
MUSIC AND TIE DRAMA.
MILE. BERNHARDT AS MRS. CLARKsO,

MILE. BERNIARDT AS MRS. CLARKSON.
Mile. Bemhardt in fresh character provided the
dramatic sensation of the town last night-appear-
ing as Mrs. CldrkSoH, in Alexandra Dumass study Of
manners entitled "L'Etrangere." This piece con-
tains thirty pages Of conversation-without plot
without movement. and almost without Incident
and il is bore of the first magnitude. The topic OF
il is an unhappy marriage, and the elimination Of
its talk is the removal of a disagreeable husband
by the pistol ball OF an American miner. Mrs. Clark.
son, Of the fourteen characters whose industri
Gus jaws perform the labor of its five acts OF cooquy
is scarcely more than an incident of its constitutions
nevertheless she is a constant theme Of remark
all along its course, and she contrives TO cause
much mischief in very motiyeless manner She
announces herself as the daughter of n mulatto wo-
man, and traces of her African descent, artfuly
preserved in Nile Bernhardts performance, take
the form Of quantity of black fringe, pendant on
a yellow silk gown Bnt for this she would be sug-
pestiye of a Hebrew lady, with red hair. Ethio-
plan, however, she declares herself 10 be-, and AMI.
mated, Furthermore. by lodged hatred Of the male
animal of her species. One Of her chief claims 10
tender sympathy and admiration is that she has
married an American miner and away with
his money, and anothcr-equally cogent-is
that she has caused her haif-brothers TO
quarrel for her love- till one ht, murdered the other
anu EOt n3ngfu lot MS crime. NHr thlltes iftih,
likewise, by managing mnng-StOck, and by med
ding in the nupiial affairs Of the French nobility.
On one occasion she fancics herself 10 he in love
with a Gallo youth who can write essays. and who
loves a certain married lady whose titled husband
is one Of ns. ClGrksoR', dupes She gives this lady
liberal piece of her mind and copious elocuton and
autobiography, and she contryes TO involve this
husband and lover in n duel, which the coLyen-
lent ClarksOn, miner, as overwhelmingly lus-
tracs That is the play. and a sweet play il obyi-
ously is. Most playgoers here doubtless remember
a piece called The American" acted years
ago at Days Theatre, with Miss jeffrey s-Lewis,
Mr.. James Lewis, and others in the cast. That vas
"L'Erangere.'
Mile. BcInhardts exposition Of this charming f.
male is superb achievement in the chiselling II
ice. She maintains lovely dignity of manner and
invests the whole work with sweet subduing APP
pearence of gcntlcness She takes that aspect st
which Ofhello has glanced so effectively. in those
lines about the beauty that the aches" 10
see. She is the incarnation Of self-poised grace
aliuring, bewtching, unattanable. Looks, move
men,s tones words dress, pauses, attitudes, elocu-
ton all are blended in personality seemingly Of CO
lcstial ovcliness-yet peryaded by will OF iron and
thrilled by spirit as sinister the reptile and as
implacablc ~ the grave The personaton IL marked
by no strong points. burs.s Of vehement denunci-
alton, no abrupt transitions. II stands forth as
solid entity of cruel selishncss, frghtfu In its inter
lack of conscience and its hideous capacity for
hatred. and glittering with dangerous beauty.
There is no call for tenderness; the exactIoR is
solely of scnsuous animal intensity. the steady appe
tic and purpo~, of the leopard and thcreW ithal her
velvet grace Mile Bcrnharit easily, and with beau
tifu pre- sion satisfies this ideal. he most sangln-
ary and ominous words fall from her smiling lips
like dew drops from he rose The image Is one OF a1-
soluto depIayty bat il also one of astonishing bril-
liancy II Was received with lively interest aud
frequent applause by n numerous asSemblage. IL
will be- remembered H. Il perfect work OF IT'S Alni,
and as essentially representative Of Nile. Bern
hardt', AIT Mlen eXcrl sed NJ IFS lest.