New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-19
THE DRAMA-MJSIC.
THE FRENCH COMEDIANS.

Tie re-entrance Of the French comedians HEADED
bv Fir. c. Cooucln and Miss Jane Hsding, was y1ads
last night at Palmcr's Theatre in the comedy Of
L'Rtrangere' G. The ForeignerTI, by Alexandra Du-
mas. and these performers were welcomed by an 1t.
tentIvc and cordial also in NUNS
bers considering the bad weather This company, u
win be remembered appeared at this theatre on oct
Der 10. 1883. and remained TIL October 81, perof
of three weeks Since then It has travelled far qd
enioycd an ample experience of American hospitality.
II now returns TO the capital to I'LL farewell engage
ment of two weeks. Eight performances are 70 be
crowded into the present week, and there is changs
of bill for every night DEtrangere is known TO- the
local stage as The American 1t was produced hero
ct the Fifth Avenue Theatre under that NAME and Mr.
Charles Coghlsn made brilliant hit in as 10 Duo de
septmonts The original piece was also enacted hers
by Sarah Bernhardt and her associates on
April 27, 1881. 1t Is sufficiently we'll
known, and it does not require particular descnp-
ton. Miss Hadng appeared as Catherine de scptmonfs
and Mr.. Coquein appeared as 10 Due Septmonts Tho
former IS not SO good an actor the latter but she
lmp,esses many observers as the more Interesting Of
tho two Mr.. Coquelin objects to being styled low
comedian. 1t is not term Of reproach it has been
applied and with perfect propriety. to much better
actors than Mr. Coqueln, and 1t describes him with
absolute precision. He gave conspicuous proof Of
this last night The character Of seytDsns. IS set
forth in the text of Mr. Dumas is cold, calm, quietly
insiient, formidable and dangerous. There
should be something ominous in BIS icy. polished.
exasperafing, cynical manner Mr.. coqueln
made him wag, almost. bufoon-preserving, In
deed, considerable, though artificial grace Of man
ner but lowering closely on the border Of drolIery-
This is distinctly incorrect, and Il is indicative Of
lack of fine intuition The hunlor Of septmonts 10
sardonic It not quIzzicaL AS usual, however. ME-
Coquelin's manner OF execution delightfully."- pre-
else and finished
Every actor puts two qualities into every part that
be plays One he intends to put there, and the
other he puts there because he cannot help IT The
former is art producing the effect of nature the lat
ter is nature sefbecause IL is bis own personality,
from the subtle Of which nc can never escape.
Mr. CoqueIln has various Of droery. and no
knows how to them, and he uses them well His
essential personality though, IS that of a common
place man, and this shines through bis acting upon all
occasion For this reason 1t Is impossible for any,
body TO be impressed and affected by Me- coquelin in
tho same way in which he is impressed and affected.
for example, by Mr. Got, or Mr. Henry Irving, or Mr..
Joseph Jefferson. The performance of Scptmonts,
as capital embodiment OF coarse and disagroesols
and remarkably clever effort on the part of an
accomplished actor to embody character .nteectuay
above his level and In point Of elegance OF manner d
tincty beyond his reach.
Miss Hading gave a performance OF Catherine t1si
was-with the exception OF few fervnl moments q
exstion in the consciousness Of being loved and Ia
the presence of the beloved objcct-conspcuously s
acIaa and fnsincere The play Is written In dull and
iabored style. Almost everybody in IL seems to Do
endowed with capacity for unbridled
gabble of the photographed kind Mr.
Duquesne refreshed the general sterty witt
a touch OF hrmor but Clarkson Is a character Ho
nothing I'm the earth beneath or. IL may be hoped.
the heavens above. Mrs. Clarlson was enacted in
sufficiently offensive spirit of intrusion by Mne
Lemercer. Tonight Miss Hading will appear IN
Mile. de Ia seigere,s in which she is both lovely md
impressive. Miss Hadng and Mr.. Coquelin were sew,
era times called before the curtain The presene 81
stupid claque, however, marred tho effect O tho
genuine applause. The, nerfarEsnce sd net begn VI
The French seem TO 70 patient people-sonetines.