The morning call., 1891-09-12
PAULINE BLANCHARD"
A New Play Produced by Nine.
Bernhardt at the Grand.

NJ. Darmonts play, which Mr. Henry E.
Abbey read for the first time in Melbourne,
was produced by Nine. Bernhard and COM
pany at the Grand Opera House, for the first
time in America, before an audience not
large but appreciative. Recalls were very
unanimous. The young actor-a author is only
% years of age, and has contriyed to treat
the subject practically, and yet present us
with a picture of peasant life peculiar to the
locality He is here on his own ground, and
may safely be regarded as an expert, his
CHILDHOOD and much of his youth having
been PASSED among the peasantry OF France.
There is an indefinable flavor of lola about
the whole composition, and in following the
characters Of Blanchard pere and Cadet
we are reminded of the small, ambitious
and intense selfShneSs that marked many OF
the people in that authors La Terre.
In painting this dramatic picture of French
agricultural life, DarmOnt may have bor-
rOwed some of his pigments from the realistic
novelist. Even the sickle OF the book plays
a part in the most important scene OF the
last act Of the drama. with that lmpie-
mept Pauline, in a fit of frenzy, cuts the
throat Of the husband, Cadet, whom she
des pises. To repeat the story, IN brlet:
Francois son of Marchal, Is engaged TO
marry Pauline, daughter OF Blanchard; but
he having been depOsed from the mayoralty
in favor OF Marchal, becomes so enraged
that he breaks off the match and cOmpelS
his daughter to marry lumpy, good-natured
agriculturst called Cadet. Out oil tins
condition of things grows the whole dramatic
business, ending with the death OF Pauline
after she had murdered her husband Bern
hardt cannot be said 10 be impressive as
domestic heroine, and although she has many
strong scenes during the progress of the piece
they fail TO arouse that enthusiasm which
is called out when she puts her grancer con-
ceptiOns into action-the latter scenes OF
4" Pauline Blanchard" afford Bernhardt the
greatest scope for powers. The discovery
OF Pauline in the garrett of her aunrS cot
tage where she becomes Jealous OF Francois
and thinks he has deserted her, and the last
scene OF all, when she kills Cadet. She sur
pTises him, rs he is sitting reading pamph-
let. He asks her what she is doing tnere,
and with a sickle. She answers in Slow,
quiet tone, like one in dream, " want
you to die" For a moment he IS shocked,
but his coarse mind does not appreciate all
that hes behind the utteTance. In him the
physical attraction is predominant. de mas
hold Of both her wrists, and the contact OF
her warm flesh awakenS all the lust OF his
brutal nature. kissing her on the side OF
the neck in spite of her struggles, be draws
her toward him. She resiStS, and by so
doing ouIy intlames his violent passion.
Losing all control, he filings her arms overhls
shoulders, throws his own around her body,
and crushing her against him, kisses her
on the lips BY this action he has freed her
wrists. His back is against the table. With
one hand she gTaSpS his HAIR and thTustS
his head backward, and Selling the sickle
in the other, with single blow cuts his
throat.
Some little difficulty was experienced In
following the actors in the opening scenes
on account of tile rapidity Of their c0iloqulal
utteTances, and the subdued tone In which
they spoke.
The performances at date will be the last
given by Nine. Bernhard and company in
this city. At the matinee Camille" and IN
the evening "TheodOra"