National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-04-09
BERNHARDTS POWER
AS ExEMpLIFIEp IN "FRou-FRou."
Talk with the Great French Actress A Large
Audience at the National Theatre Last
Night Criticism BY Our
French Reporter.

Mile Bernhardt, permit me to pre-
sent my friend, THE REPUBLICAN, said Mr.. jar
rett, who is the fair Saras special and particular
manager.
The performance had closed, and the critic of
THE REPUBLICAN, had gone behind the scenes at
Mr.. Jarretts invitation TO meet the wonderful
woman who has created sensation in two CONT
nents.
"Ah, monsieur" said the Bernhardt, Il am
pleased to meet YOU"
AZ came, said the representative of the most en-
terprising daily paper that Washington has ever
known, ito thank yon for the pleasure have ex-
perieneed to- night in Witnessing your Gilbert"
You are very good TO say so." said Nile Bern
hardt. WAS il the first time you had seen this
company"
No; went to Baltimore when you were in
that city and saw your Camille That Twas pleased
can be found by reference TO The REPUBLICAN OF
January l."
"You are very kind. Yes; like to play CdEaiue.
II is good play, with good part. But have you
seen my new play, The Georges ?"
The young man confessed that he had not.
you should see it. 1t is most effective one.
played it first in Boston, and made great success
shall play it in Philadelphia"
Don't it fatigue you TO travel as rapidly as you
do? Now, last night you played in Newark, to-
night here, and tomorrow after the matinee you
go at once TO Baltimore and play there at night"
yes, become somewhat fatigued; but every
thing is nice in the that the discomforts OF
travelling are mostly overcome"
Miss Benhardt's carriagei" sung out stem:
torian voice, and with kindly ar rer0fr and a
warm clasp of the hand the great actress was
whirled away to her hotel.
The audience at the National Theatre TO witness
Mile. Bernhardt's performance in Frou Frou
filed nearly every seat and the two lower floors
e large number were standing. The character OF
the audience was especially noticeable, embracing
every class Of society, from Cabinet Minister to
q Government clerk.
The diplomatic corps was present in full force
and generally led in the applause. Frou Frou
is a play which is familiar to most of our theatre
goers, and the story is that of a thOughtless
woman whose frivolity leads to marital infdelity
and eliminates in death. The character of Gu
6erte as represented by Nile Bernhardt is strong
dramatic picture The comedy element of the
earlier scenes was given with sprightliness and
airy lightness fully in harmony with the part, and
the ripping laughter of the fair artistic waS infee
tiols. The scene between GiLbeTte and her father
at the piano was one of the best bits Of light
comedy that has ever been witnessed. From the
third act the interest deepens the serious element
DcluS We'll Jul, anu az tHS 1hNOiNA-H W
tween the sisters the power and electric force
of Mile Bernhard was made fully apparent. and
as the curtain fell the admiration of the vast audi
ence broke forth in tremendous applause result
ing in a double recall. The same thing
happened at the end of the fourth act.
The play was most completely presented, all the
members of the company being excellent, and
fitting so thoroughly into their parts that the
whole performance was perfect picture. The
gorgeous apparel and magnificent jewels worn by
Mile. Bernhard must have dazzled and Devil
derei the heads of the female portion of the au-
dience even though elegant feminine upholstery
is by no means rare in this city. Among some
of the elaborate costumes in her wardrobe is
q white and gold broeaded satin, with square neck,
which shows the fragile Sara of in manner
which must be pleasing to the student of anatomy.
The sleeves are short, and long white gloves reach
to the shoulders. Then comes q toilet of brocaded
and plain velvet and satin Of different shades of
red, with abundant jet fringe Another dress is of
white mouseline de laine with ruffles of bretonne
lace, corssse low, with bouquet of gillifowers.
Another dress is Of cream velvet, painted by
hand, with pink camelias, butterflies, and hum
mingbinls. One toilet is iYOry-satin train
and front skirt of china blue drapery, with
garlands of red and tea roses and Alencon lace on
a painted bodice. Another toilet of brJcade silk,
embroidered on the skirt, and the bodice trimmed
with Bruges lace. The goods alone of this dress
cost $500 francs Another dishabille toilet is all of
satin and Languedoe lace. For Frou- Frou,"
ivory satin dress covered with embroidery of pearl
and mother of pearl; one Lampas dress, with
crimson flowers on cream ground; one dress all
of black satin aud jet low -necked, with cuirass
one sensational dress, with yellow satin skirt, has
black and jet waist, with two huge ravens uphold
ing the skirt. house-dreSs is of brOcade
silk with crimson and pale roses on
cream ground, and ruby satin train.
Her jewels are abundant, and one necklace has six
rosettes on the front, each having two-karat
brilliant in its CENTRE and the rest of the flowers
being richly imbedded with small stones. There
are more than one hundred diamonds in each
rosettc and the jewels appear like flowers of light
when seen in a gas-illuminated room. The TO-
settes are held together by strings Of diamonds,
which are plainly seen at the ends OF the neck
lace, and each flower may. be unscrewed
from the chain and used as u hair Orna-
ment. The value Of this necklace is $1,000
The last performance of the brief Bernhardt season
will axe place at the matinee to-day, which VIII
commence sharply at p m, in order that the
play may be given in full, 10 enable the COM
pany to leave for Baltimore at $50. Camille"
will be the attraction.
FRESH, TIE AMERICAN"
This successful play, will be the attraction at the
Notional Theatre next week. Mr.. John T. Ray
mond has made as great q success in this play Is
he did in the Gilded Age
''THE MONEY MARKET"
Concerning this play, which has been success
fully presented in Baltimore this week, il may be
said that Mr.. W. II. Vernon, who sustains the
leading character, gives strong delineation of a
sordid money-loving man, and is ably supported
by frst-class company. 1t viii be placed on the
stage at the Opera House next week.
AMUSEMENT NOTES,
Mr. Joseph S. SessfOrd, the popular occupant Of
the box-ofice at the opera-House, viii take a
benefit before the close of the season.
"Olivette" is the attraction at Ford's Opera
House. and special feature Ofthe matinee is the
prices, which viii be fifty and twenty-five cents.
The performance is smooth and attractive.
Admiral Dot and the other midgets, Colonel Orr,
the giant, the Roman Students, and the others
composing the troupe now at Lincoln Hall give
performance well worth attending, and the audi
ences are large and enthusiastic. To-day is the
last Of their stay.
The CreighfOns ReOrsanIzed.