The morning call., 1890-11-11
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"CLEoPATRA" IN PARIS.

1t is probably the case, as the newspapers
say, that The melodrama of cleopatra"
which is now being played. with Bernhard
in the title-role, at the Porte ST. Martin IN
Paris, and which will be produced in New
York next month and in this city next Feb
ruary, is the most magnificent spectacular
piece of modern times. No nobler theme
for dramatic art can be conceived. The
radiant Queen typifed all that was most
gorgeous and most luxurious in the most
gorgeous aud luxurious days Of Egypt.
Her life, from her childhood to her
death. was one long drama of thrilling
interest She surpassed most other
women in beauty, in wit. She lived in fairy
land. When she sailed down the Nile to
meet Antony her galley was rowed with
silver oars; on an embroidered couch she
lay robed as Aphrodite, surrounded by
cupids, while the faint southern breeze,
scented with fumes of Oriental incense,
famed sail, OF purple silk. Her death, ac
cUrding to the popular legend, was as
dramatic as her life.
With such materials TO work upon it was
easy for the dramatist 30 construct a strlk-
ing play. The theme had been handled by
the prince of dramatists, but in his day
spectacular effects were unknown on the
stage, and Antony aud Cleopatra relies
for success upon the power of the dialogue
and the genius of the actors. This saeri-
fees the splendid background and the gorge
Gus accessories of the Egyptian Queen.
Without her silken sails aud her gaudy
galley and her silver oars and her swarm
of regally appointed attendants, the last of
the Ptolemies sinks TO the level of ordinary
women. With these surroundings she
flashes like meteor, the like of which the
world never saw before or since.
The French are just the people to drape
such story SO as 10 catch the eye, and of
all Frenchmen Sardou knows best the art
of stage effect. Taking history and Shakes
peare a a groundwork lie has constructed
a play so fascinating that the vast hall Of
the Porte St. Martin is too small to hold the
audiences. With Shakespeare the acquaint-
ance OF the average Frenchman is slender.
Even Michelet interested them but slightly
in the Egyptian Queen. Gerome's picture
is rather a tribute to Cesar than to Cleo
patra. Sardou has clothed the story with
such dazzling magnifcence of pomp ard
show that the average Frenchman will now
be as familiar with the history of the Egyp-
tan Queen as with that of Mary Queen of
Scots, or even Joan of Arc; and the knowl-
edge will spread from France to all lands
where people 90 to theaters.
The dramatist takes up the work of teach
ing history where the historian leaves off.
The latter is bound by his oath of Office to
tell the truth as he finds it. The former is
at liberty, under the canons of art, TO mingle
fiction with fact. where the blending Of the
two presents an agreeable picture. Few
mems lives are dramatic throughout They
generally contain dull intervals. Even
heroes are sometimes tame, and their per-
| formanees uninteresting The historian can
not ignore these the dramatis t may. And
he may do more. Where the interest of the
story would be heightened by the introduce
tioa of striking incident, he is free to as
sumo that it occurred without being obliged
60 give his authority. Dramatic writer's
have so freely availed themselves of this
pr ivilege that historical dramas must never
! be studied as exact records of fact; they
| are mere pictures of the times, with thread
| of truth running through the m. The story
| of Cleopatra. like the popular biographies
| of Cesar, Joan of Arc, and other famo us
personages OF tine past, is an example in
point. Was the fair Egyptian the best be-
loved Of Antony at the age of II? Did she
make her first appearance before Caesar in a
tOll OF carpet? " as Inere ever Sucu per-
son as Cfesarion? Did she cause her sister
Arsinoe to march in Caesars triumph at
Rome in letters? Did she marry her little
brother Ptolemy, and afterwar cause hin
to be poisoned? Finally, did she commit
suicide by applying an asp to her breast ?
There is no evidence of these events that
would for moment carry conviction to the
minds of jury. They may have occurred,
as Quintus Curtius may have leaped into the
chasm in the forum. But they may not, and
the weight of probability is against them.
| Still, it is pleasant to see them depicted,
| with glowing accessories, on the stage, and
people generally would rather be sorry to
| lose them.