The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-04-06
A THE4TRICfL NOVELTY.
The New Passion Play 10 Re Performed n
Paris Easier Week.


NJ. Frnncsuue Sarccy has Just written an In
teresting essay uron' the now passion play
which is to be brought out in Paris ut tho The
atre Modcrne during Easter week. 1t is on.
titled Christ" and its author is NJ. Charles
Grandmougin. The orchestral music Is by NJ.
Clement Lippncher. NJ. Sarcoy has some
doubts in regard to the success OF the enter.
prise. At the same time no notes a change in
the Partisan theatrical taste In favor OF plays
with vague perfume OF mystery and picty.
Partisan playgoers now want pious dramas
and legends. accompanied by plenty of music
ii sort of entertainment which would have set
them to sleep u few years ago.
Last year Harancourts Passion" was Q
wonderful SUCCESS in financial point OF view.
and NJ. Snrc"y would not now be surprised to
see Jesus Christ" upon the boards OF the
Comedie- Francaise in the Od6on. few months
ago Joseph Fabre brought him the manu-.
script OF a play founded upon the life Of
Christ. He told the author that there was
only one man in Paris who was artist enough
or crazy enough IL you Judge by his name In
English ears. to play Christ" and that man
was Mounet- Suly. Fabre went to the great
artist. and no was informed by him that he
was Just thinking yof the role. aud even had q
half-written play upon tho subject. Tho face
and ilgurc OF Mounet-Sully are we'll suited for
the character.
Tn. idea that such play would shock the
not we'll founded. Pore Ddon has bought up
200 seats for his pupils OF the Arcueil t. SEQ
also hired the whole theatre for II matinee OF
the play for tho benefit and instruction of poor
I'VE n must not DO more royal than the King"
says NJ sarcey. "and when the clergy see no
TO tG 5s at it, aYe
9e ;hs TIE r" PF .S st aSs
Gross. SstSeer two ,hi s I would
pied both by the soldiers playing dice for
Chrsts garment, and the holy women who
and a,H in the dark distance tho vague shadow 81
when. heard Jesus speaking for SO long, Q
Of my personal impression. / know nothing #
that Of the people BY whom was surrounded.
der that respect. and what was the emotion?
scenes Of the p passion words t are put into the
mqqth 81 Christ which 4r ., not found in tho
Ihs sssI too :" NJ aad oS Ws any
him. could wish that the author had placed
y jesus; ike Hs al great rsisrmsrs. had Sioens
horror Of Him. and the rich feared Him.
could have witnessed their fury upon the stage
Win pleasure Jury winch III u tnedtTe Snoulu
| be incarnnted In living pcrsonnges.
"Grandmougin deals with Jesus alone. Ger
| tainy he has made Him sublime. but pro-
longed sublimity IL tircSome.
THE little incidents Of this marvellous trag.
| edy which are charming when found in the
| Bible In their familiar form. have upon the
| boards something theatrical Sat changes
their aspect. We remember the story OF the
| denial Of Peter. We'll. here is the way NJ.
| Grandmougin puts it uron the scene. Jesus
| is before the tribunal. PLATE calls upthe wit
| nesses for the defence. Peter is brought outs
:" What is your name says the judge
My name Is Peter
80 Did jesus take you for His disciple?
80 The man Is unknown to me-
The Judge rciterates the question. ana
| twice more Potter nfiirms that no knows not
| Christ: and the cock does not crow. but Christ
says sadly:
az Let him go. since he knows Me not.
THE denial Of Pet as given by Matthew 10
far! more striking and FIR more dramatic, .n,
mougn is mounted with grent care. The
decorations and costumes are all new. The
music is not overdone. 1t envelops the stu
| atoms with n network OF harmony a ways
| appropriate to the subject. In the terri
bls rtla OF Jesus Christ Delaunay MS is ex-
| tremely handsome. both in face and figure.
Beside that Of Jesus all tho other, characters
| count for nothing. with one brilliant excep-
tion Decori. who is grand in Judas