New-York tribune., 1886-11-09
win be continued throughout tho weck 40 tbs t,,nA
Opera House. where 1t well mounted and wei
played
MISS FORrBsCUg AS aFROu.rporY,

MISS FORrE5CUE AS @FROU-FROUo
revival of the well-known play OF From Frou y
was effected last night at the Lyceum THEATRE with
handsome scenery and good cast OF tho chsrncrer.
and Miss Fortescue presented herself a. (IIlbereB
and was received with kindness and decided favor bt
numerous company Of fashionable people. This
performances Is 20 be accepted the part of thougt.
fuI Observers more exhibition OF professional
talent than as a bestowal Of public benefit sFro,i.
rrou Is pernicous and injurious play. Il aims 10
extenuate II not to exto frivolous and weak char.
acter snd to awaken sentimental symp.thv - itb A
low ideal OF womsnly conduct DeprayIty IA NOT tbs
less reprebensibe because 10 results from weaknssa
and folly. This piece does not stop with msrely
presenting its picture Of lite. II insists upon urapa
its moral and, therefore. 1t ought tc be squareIy
with the explicit statement that Its moral r. baf
Sara BerDhardt managed to dignity the piece by sug
gestng that the revolt OF Frou- fou arose out of
beautiful innocence and purity, shocked and driven to
desperation This theory of the character dyerts at.
eDtion from the sentimental sllurement which tho
play by, implication, seeks to difuse over feminine
fraiy, 'aok OF principle. and deadly breach Of duty
and honor
Miss Fortescue who made personally, a far moro
brilliant and striking impression Gilberte than
she had done as Gretchen "-bsses the n6delity Of
Fron-Frou upon revOlted goodness but rhe good
ness 's vapid Her theory Of the part REQUIRES her
auditors to believe that girl mas begin by beng
radical and momentous experience OF maternity. and
then snddenly-under tho stress OF o Jealous pang-
may become woman OF noble mind. deep heart, aud
altogether splendidly passionate nature. II is Of
course. hard TO say what woman may do may not
do. He would be bold man who should ndertake
to formulate absolute truths this subject. But,
such a transformation ia indicated in Miss Fortes-
cues performance of "Gilberte seems Impossible in
nature. Those who it last night, all the same,
found ii exceedingly effective in art During the first
two acts Miss Fortescue-very beautiful in person aud
attire-exDressed nothing than sparkling
frivoty; yet this. though thoroughly and charm ngy
did not entirely conceal formidable
force OF character This the actress peculiarly
possess and this her voice will suffer her to
hide At the beginning OF the third act this strength
oi character suddenly to be reinforced with
extreme clearness of intellectual perception and great
tepth OF passionate feeling. Such mind was here
,eived that nobody bn Glberte herself respon-
,ble tor the situation and circumstances against
hch she revots, and likewise must have perceived
md taken her sure and easy road to a perfectly
7irtuous conquest of tie disputed field. Miss Fories-
ues method was TO indicate. in a very subtle and
erta,nly a beautiful way the existence Of pity and
awnDg passion-snrely of regret-at the heart Of
CIberte.' for her lover Valvreas y; and this she
trongly emOhasized in the parting with him,
Vhich immediately precedes the explosive explanation
With her sister A" Louise
Al through this act Miss Forescue denoted definite
ramatc purpose, and thoughtful command OF the
esOurces OF dramatic art At the stormy culmina lion
I the scene. however Der self-command appeared 10
all her that the torrent OF her passion apscd into
ioent vehemt Nevertheless il was a display Of
ncommOn power, and this when perfectly controlled
ILL., doubtless win her many q victory Miss Fortes-
lie three iolr times led uDon scene,
nd her assumption OF FrOu-F FrOu assuredy vndi-
ates her claim 10 thoughtful consideration octress
he husband and the lover represented in
Jmewhat peruDctOry and dull manner by Mr.. Sugden
nd Mr.. Terry. Mr.. Crompton afforded amusement
3 Brigard." and Miss Kate Hodson gave a graceful
nbodiment OF the adr0It Baroness"