Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-28
TICKLE PARISlANS.
Sardou's Play of Thermidor Sup
pressed by the Government
WILD TUMULT IN THE THEATER
The People Will Not Allow Another Per-
formance to Proceed.
WHAT The AUTHOR SAYS ABOUT 1T
rpY pus1Ap,s CABLE coxpASr.l

rBY DUNLAP'S CABLE CoMPAN1.l
PARIS, Jan. 27.-V1ctor Sardou was
waited upon to-day by a reporter, to whom
he said in relation to the prohibition of his
play of ""Thermidor" at the Theater Fran
cais:
''It was not my intention to produce a
reactionary play, but a piece in harmony
with honest. republican principles which
do not approve of the horrors of the guillo-
tine. 1t is because reprove them publicly
and denounce the tactics of the revolution
lists of the reign of terror that the revolu-
tionists of to-day hissed 'Thermindor.'
SIN La Patrie, La Haine' and Dora
1 undertook the apology for an honest re-
public. 1 had no other intention in my
mind when was writing 'Thermidor.' 1
am sorry the Government should have
deemed it its duty to yield 10 the promoters
of yesterdays manifestation. Their small
numbers enable one to judge the Importance
to be attached to demonstration.
Approved by the Minister.
4" 'Thermidor' was read at the Comede
Franchise and the minister signed the au-
thorization for its production, yet it was
sufficient Tor Is vagabonds to come and hiss
it on the second night OF its production for
the Government to suspend the play. The
idiotic revolutionary manifestation has
been followed by ridiculous display of
weakness. This is the only conclusion I
can draw from the events
The announcement of the change of play
has increased the crowds seeking admission
to the Francais. Tonight, as soon as Mon
sieur Coquelin appeared on the stage to
announce that 'Tartuffe" would be given,
instead of ''Thermidor," the audience raised
shouts of Down with Lsageray." The
curtain was raised three times, and on each
occasion howl went up of 'Thermidor,
Thermidor." The actors stood silent on the
stage, awaiting the cessation OF the tumult,
and, vanquished by the persistence of the
audience, finally bowed and retired to the
wings. After fruitless attempts to begin the
performance. Monsieur Coquelin appeared,
and, addressing the audience, said:
The Tumult Resumed.
SIN the presence of formal orders the ad-
ministration of the Comedi Franchise
begs the public to hear Moliere." This
short sentence was twice interrupted by
shouts of dissent, and Monsieur Coquelin
had no sooner ceased speaking than the
tumult commenced louder than ever.
Shouts of mo, Thermidor," "Down with
the administration, "Play Thermidor,
~ Is Inc VIII VI Tue people, rang through
the house. and the curtain was again
lowered. During this time the management
had telephoned to the Prefect of Police for
aid, Finally Monsieur Coqueliu again ap-
peared, and when silence was obtained for
him, said:
TN consideration of the fact that it is i'm
possible for us to play. the management of
the theater will refund the price of seats to
purchasers and will give a supplementary
performance on Tuesday for the subscribers.
The curtain was then lowered and the
house cleared. Outside the theater every
thing was perfectly tranquil and there was
nothing to lead the passersby to suspect the
tumult that was going on inside.