New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-24
THE DRAMA.
THE FRENCH PLAYS.

The series Of French dramatic representations non
current at Pamer's Theatre will be closed next satur
day night, and the Coqueln- HadIng Company vii
| then proceed to Boston. This visit Of the Frcncl
comedians began october g. and ending on Octobe
81, 1t Will have lasted three weeks. Mr. coquelin ant
Miss Jane HadIDg have appeared in various chsrsc
| and they have been welcomed with tho hearties
platidts by crowded houses The audiences have beg
composed mostly Of French residents Of this resa.
but many American play goers have Joined IN to
cordial greeting thus extended to the French comedian
and have enjoyed their representations. The plss
thus far performed are les precuses Ridicules"
10 Joie FaIt Peur,' 10 Maitrc de Forgess "IAya.
turlere," "FrouFou," Don Caesa Dc Bazan,n Orb
goire,' lie Depute de BombigBsc,' Tartufe,S Mp
dc Ia Seielere,7 Etourd' Les Surprises Divorce
and Camllle' Mr. Coqueln has recited several mon.
logues. The chief hits made by this famous Frenh
actor have been made as Mascsre, Hannibal Tartun.
Brigard, and the schemng lawyer Dcs Tourneles Mis-
adng has charmed everybody by her singular winnbs
personality Helena de Ia segiere. Gilberte, Clsss
de Beaulieu and Frou- Frou. but she has made to
deepest impression. perhaps, Clorinda the advert
uress Her part is less ingenious and less poishd
than that OF Mr. Coquelin while she excels him in
fascination Of temperament. The harmonious mannr
In which all these Trench plays have been pcrforusd
has satisfied good taste aud has enhanced the persoa
success OF Miss Hadng and Mr.. Coqueln. 1t shola
be added that this season Of French plays has ben
Back of the question Of technical proficiency in he
art OF acting there is always the question Of ial-
vidual superiority and OF what may be casd artistic
conference.-the question, In other words, whcter
the actor has been supremely endowed by mature
ana Is therefore Of extraordinary worth and imp,r
lance TO the community. The comments that hase
been printed in this paper, glancing toward thst
inquiry, have given offence and have caused variols
ebullltions OF Ill temper and malice coupled with tie
usuai destinations as to corrupt motive. These hoy.
ever, are matters Of no earthly consequence. Its
the nature Of goose 10 cacklc. In the meantime
no reason has become visible, In the course Of fr
Coqueln's several representations, for any matefal
modification OF the impressions concerning him as an
actor which have here been recorded lie does not
exercise the puissant and conQuering magic OF eeus
He does not fascinae either by inherent spontaneous
charm or by the loneliness of acquired grace lie
IS deficient Of personal Distinction In the amos
pheio OF poetry, romance and passion-as was con.
spcuousy shown by his effort with Don Csesar--he Ia
out OF place. He is not imaginative actor Thes.
points seem important TO be named. in stating
Thoughtful estimate Of any artist On the other
manu. MI COqueln is possessed Of a profound and
subtle perception Of character. and he Is consummaie
master OF the art Of pcrtrayng tonly that hts tenn
permanent being cold, he cannot always simulate the
excitement which is essential to make acting seem
natural by perfect conceament OF art He has
great strength Of character great force Of BRAIN Sig
nlhed In mental poise and WILL and most afiusnt
fund Of dro humor His self possession Is extraor-
binary, apparently being that Of almost inordlnxs
selfconfdence and it shows itself to splendid al
vantage In the repose and deliberate precision with
which he Celebrates every part OK every performance
Ills chief and characteristic exploits those Of tic
low c0medlan-no fhe clown, but the artistic denei-
tor Of owcomedy persons; like, for instance, Do,-
berry Roderigo, Pistol, Moses Acres, and Tory
Lumpkln, which are low-eomedy parts, although it
Is possible to act some of them with high comedy
touch. That touch Mr. Coquelln sometimes uses tnt
not often; and in ore part that of the husband In
" Les Surprises de Divorce he does not hesitate to
resemble both the harlequin and the bufoon-lespiig
iour feet Into the air, ard generally going in for
Wild fiolic. His tendencies are toward the broadly
tonic aspects Of human personality. the grotesq,s
attributes of Character, the mlrth and absurdty Of
inen and OF experience. And, as already said, %
depicts these aspects OF nature with admirable and
sometimes wonderful fidelity. Such actor is In
portant to the stage, and he fulfs useful work in
contributing TO the public amusement, and in teash.
Ing the beauty Of fine intellectual method Whether
such artist should be hailed with enthusiasm as
great actor and great genius-one Of the authentic
leaders and inspired teachers Of the world-every OBJ
server must decide for himself
There will be morning performance of "Frou
Trou" at Pamer's Theatre to-day. Camille was
given there last night, with Miss Hsdng Camille
and Mr.. Coquen the elder Duva. This play Ia
lreadfulIy tainted with vicious sentiment and H.
ogca reasoning, and it involves the discussion Of
ubJect that ought never TO be thrust upon The at
ention Of theatrical audience or treated in the
press. Besides the drama is dreary bore, dismal in
tself and tending to result other than SWIVEL and
ant Miss Hadlng gave artistic portrsiturc OF
he amatory consumptive, and Mr. Coquelin was duly
conventional and respectable but colorless and IN
Effective, In the part Of Duval, which 10 him is In
appropriate An actor Of q tenth of his ability could
,lay 1t Just well
Considerable observation OF the French stage both
n Paris and New-York, combined with some study
# French dramatic literature as compared with that
4 England have seemed 10 warrant expression Of
reference for the English methods Of writing and OF
ramatic art Such expression has been made in
his place-not with any wish or purpose to give
fence, but simply TO state mental attitude and dis
met view, with reference 10 a topic of current
bought. This may be erroneous opinion, but IL is
{ least positive and sincere one The French have
reduced neither a Shakespeare a Byron, and 1t is
rarcely credible that any sane person who has read
ne lives CT Re Kahn and Talma Will mention these
ctors the greatest OF French tragedians the peers
{ Garrick, Edmund Kean, John Keulble, Macrcady,
Dmparison Of art methods Is not here suggested but
re Judgment as to profound elemental and structural
0 cry out glorious at the end Of every display Of
rtisttc dcxterty on the stage and 10 go away cur.
citing ana ciapplng your hands Is not 70 derive from
ay Of thought. it would be easy TO blow verbal
umpet after every theatrical performance that oc-
Ire The endeavOr to suggest line OF reflection 10
ore oncrous as well as more honest. And no man
no Is expected to write at oil ought to be expected to
rite anything but what be thinks. Furthermore, as
marked BY the shepherd IN "As You Like It's fhs
'operty OF rain IS to wet Where the spark Of genius
emitted the fash always follows No great actor
rs ever yet known the question Of his greatness
&c theme OF newspaper controversy
In the reproof of chance