Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-21
BernhArdt As Cleonafra.

If anything could inspire an actress to put
forth her best efforts il was the large audience
that assembled at Albaugh's Opera House last
night to witness the first appearance in
this city of Nine. Sarah Bernhard n
CLEOPATRA The high tariff upon the seats
had undoubtedly induced those who had
never seen the great actress to select
this play the to CRAFTY their curl
osity. Ii was her latest Partisan success and it
was expected that the piece would be presented
with wealth anu gorgeousness Of scenery and
costume that would make il peculiarly attrac-
tive. This expectation was fully realized. No
such splendid stage setting has been seen here
WAS witnessed last night. From the
entrance of the Egyptian queen in
the barge of Isis to her tragic death there
was series % beautiful stage pictures that de-
lighted the beholders and elected the most
decided appreciation. Perhaps the most effect
i've tableau was the terraces of Memphis which
was presented to the full, capacity of the stage
and was certainly triumph of scenic art. The
costumes, too, were rich and appropriate and
all the properties were of the most elegant de-
scription. As a spectacle simply CLEOPATRA
Is wonderful production.
But ii is not as a spectacle alone that the play
must be considered. Its opulence of scenic
effects are but accessories to the drama which
tells the story OF the chief episode in the
of Egypts greatest queen. While Sardou and
Moreau undoubtedly intended to be moderately
faithful to the character of Cleopatra as told
by history they also manifestly looked to
the capabilities of Nine Bernhard as
her exponent and the role is drawn
with particular reference to her. In this. as in
all her assumptions, Bernhardt identifies her
self with the part in makeup. costume and
action. In her dignity she is regal and her
stature seems to increase, in her love she is
passionate with an insinuating. serpentine
voluptuousness that draws Antony with
in its folds and holds him by an
irresistible power. In her jealous rage she
is femininely fierce and catlike, wild and un-
reasonable. and in her despair she fearlessly
gives her own life to the venomous asp that she
may not be separated from the one man whom
she has truly loved. Though Bernhard met
all the requirements of the part drawn by
the dramatlsts, her performance of Cleopatra
last night does not alter the opinion expressed
yesterday that Fedora ID her greatest character.
In one scene however, last night-that in which
she listens to the accusations against her-her
play of feature was marvellous. Her wonderful
eyes and mobile countenance told rapidly Of
each distinct charge and the spectator knew
instinctively by this mute eloquence without
any reference to book, that her yindication
would be complete.
NJ. Darmont as Antony was an able foil for
Bernhard and NJ. Duquesne gave to the
part of Demt'1us a prominence which was
hardly intended by the playwrights. The
other members of the company did what was
assigned to them effectively and contributed to
the completeness of the performance.
The time occupied in the representation was
fore the curtain fell upon the last act Cleo
patra' was given this afternoon and will be the
attraction tonight, the last Of Bernhardt's en-
gagement