The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-12
B%ERNHARDT AS PHEDRE.
How She Came to Take This Role-A Bit of
Truth from Colombier's Book.

Truth from COloIpbier's Book.
Lucy Hooper, in Philadelphia Telegraph.
Yet in this noisome volume. like the jewel of
the fable that was hidden in a d~unghill, there is
occasionally to be found an authentic anecdote
or a Renaissance of value. For instance. here is
an account of how Mile. Bernhardt first
came TO play Phedre. l restore the real names
OF the perSonageS:
The role of Phedre did not seem destined to
Mile. Bernhard, Favart being the impcrsonatOr
pointed out by her preceding creations and by
the traditions of the Coincide Francaise. Nev-
erthelesS the new star obtained it.
One day NJ. Perrin. the manager, called her
into his Office and said to her abruptly, Do you
know Phedre!
Although surprised she was not disconnected.
She knew of 'Phedrc' just the few hundred lines
which every pupil of the Conservative in the
class of tragedy learns, but to confess her ig-
norance would be to miss a splendid opportunity.
Yes, sir she answered, boldly.
Then you shall play it, declared the auto
trat.
Sara withdrew, radiant. Five minutes after
ward Nine. Favart. sent for in her turn. entered
the managerial office.
- Madame, said NJ. Perrin to her, do you
know that you are to play Phedre i'll three
days!
'What-Phedre!' cried the actress; and in
three days? You cannot mean it. 1t is years
since played the part, and you want me to re
vive it in three days! 1t is impossible!
Nevertheless it shall be done replied the
manager, You will resume the part i'll three
days from to-day
"'But. sir -
" S it is to be. 1 repeat. Moreover. the rep
resentation is announced. Three days from now
Phedre will be acted
Not by me, sir
"'As you please.
And Favart. as she had promised, took no
notice of the rehearsal calls. She hoped that NJ.
Perrin would be induced by her refusal to give
up the idea; but nothing of the sort took place.
He detested Nine. Favart as much as his prede-
cessor had admired her, and he greatly enjoyed
the idea of driving her to desperation. So. on
the appointed day. Sara appeared in Phedre.
This was "A cruel stroke for her elder and her
rival. Favart wept with rage. and suffered all
the more because Mile. Bernhard achieved a
brilliant triumph. The ambitious young actress
had executed ii marvellous tour de force. She
learned the role i'll three days. studying it with
out Il moments repose, and aided in her studies
by the great Regnier, whose enthusiasm for his
pupils talent was unbounded."
1t was the difference between the actress of
talent and the actress of genius; the audacity of
the former, pitted against the caution of the lat
ter carried the day.
Here is one more anecdote from the Memoirs,
the conclusion OF the above adventure:
"Favart was not slow in uttering her com.
plants. She went to see NJ. Perrin, and de
manded of him the privilege of reappearing be
fore the public i'll Il part worthy of her talent
and her renown. He listened to her grievances
without a word or a gesture. but while she told
off the rosary of her woes he fixed upon her his
cold, immovable glance. Finally she became i'm
patient.
" Answer me, at least, she cried. Say to me
what you like, but say something at least. Why
do you look at me like that
'Then slowly, cOldly. cruelty, he let fall one
by one these few words:
~ am watching you grow Old!'
There! | have done with the Memoirs of
Sarah Barnum. To the sewer with the book-it
is there that it belongs