Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-12-28
SARDOU'S "FEDORA.''
The Greatest Dramatic Success OF the
Times, ana Sara Rernhardt's
Greatest Success.
The Wonderful TOiIeues She Wears
Immense Money Profit of The
superb Play.

The London World publishes a further ac-
count OF the new .slsy of NJ. Victorien Sar-
dou, the story of which has appeared in the
Herald Fedora will be warmly discussed.
Like all Ssrdou's pieces it is full of sleight-
Of hand and escanotage But what other
living author could construct a piece with
such consummate art, such complete COM
M and of all the resources OF the stage? As
for Sara's acting it is simply magnificent.
"WhaIp said an eminent novelist to me as l
WAS laudiug the grand tradgedienne to the
skies-"quoif UoLs coapez done daas cette grande
sutimbanques Montebanx if you like, con-
jurer if you like; but, after all, what does all
| this depre amount to? What is Sar
dou's object in writing FsdoraF His object
is to make heap of money. How does he
attain his end? By employing every means
at a drsmatist's disposal-pathos, terror,
pity, tenderness, strangeness-aud by COM
posing a role of such a complexity that it
brings into relief all the phases of the spleH-
did talent of Sara Bernhardt. What other
actress could produce the effects she does?
l confess frank ~ to my critical interlocuttr,
"Oui, monsieur, js coupe dams cette grande salt
in6dRque."
must say a word about Sara's dresses.
Worth, Felix and NORM, of Vienna, have
all been called upon to furnish four toilets,
one for each act of the piece. Which dresses
Sara will wear on the FIRST uight on Mon
day neither / nor Sara can tell. Reader,
sm Obliged to post my letter before that
eveutful evening. At the rehearsal on Sat-
urday Sara appeared ia three dresses.
Here is the dress OF the fret act-sky blue
damask lame with silver flowers; skirt en-
broidered satin Pompadour and gold; very
short sleeves with loops of ribbon; Iawny
gloves coming up above the elbow; the dress
is draped with fichu of Chinese crepe fall
log over the skirt and covered with silver
pamphlets; corsage open to point and
edged with rolls Of white lulle; opera CLOAK
Of drsb satin pleated all over, bordered
with silver fox and lined crimson. Dress OF
second act-a spectacular costume OF 6outoR
dor satin entirely covered with EN-
broidery of plush, hsss silk and
iridescent beads; train of fire colored plush
lined with satin boutoa dor; corssge square
cut, with cascades of red and gold fringe
il front, and garland OF nasturtiums twin
ing round half way down the train; gold
fringe round the bottom of the skirt and
above three rows OF gold beads; corssge with
shoulder strap; long gloves; large ian ot
yellow ostrich feathers. The third dress Is
OF the princess form, of pale blue brocade,
with large flowers; half sleeves; jabot AMI
tablier of Alepcon lace; epaulets; Directory
sash Of pale blue; Marie Stusrt collar. The
curiosity of the Parisis Ms il at high pitch.
The whole house Is already let for the ten
performances in spite of the raised prices OF
seats As much as 7O0f. and S00f. was paid
foE stall for the first night.
IL is to be noticed that Fedora Is piece
OF such nature that it can be played be-
fore a0y audience. 1t contains none oil
those risky situations which often render
French plays impossible elsewhere than IN
the induIsent city of Paris. l suspect Ssr-
dou has been intention ally careful on tins
point with a view 10 increasing his profits,
which will amount to something like EiO,-
600. A run Of 50 many nights Is guaran-
teed at the Vaudeville; Sara Bsrnhardt mas
psid big cum for the right OF starring
the piece 10 Belgium, Spain and Itatyi
German mansger has bought the right Tor
the Te1touic countries, and / hear that d.
N. L. Mayer has paid e2000 for the Eogli-h
! aDd American copyright At this rale play,
writing is worlh Ihe candle. Apropoe, ara
TO wind up this sHbjsct, you must no longer
speak of Sara a. Sara. The thing IL no" 10
call her "a grasde trasedienae.