The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-11-09
THE CAST.

NINE. fernele. Mine. DoTOy
"Tartutfe" was written in 1864 for the
pu rpose of showing the typical religious
hypocrite and impostoT. who uses re
ligioG" as the means of gaining money.
covering deceit and promoting self
indulgence. The type has been literally
used since in modern literature. Dickens
Pecksnif, the bogus architect IN MARTIN ChuZ-
ZIewt," Is called 1.-THE English Tartuffe." In
the case of Moliere's comedy the French hypo-
critical antetype is taken up by one OrgOn.
man OF property who promises him his
daughter, Marianne, In marriage but his true
character being exposed, he is not only turned
out of the house. but lodged in Jail for felony.
1t Is thought by some commentators that
Moleres Tartufie is caricature of Pere la
Cnaise, cOnfessor Of Louis XIV, who was very
fond of truffes, hence the title OF the comedy.
The Introductory scenes OF the comedy are
occupied mostly by discussions among the
members OF Orgon's family, who thoroughly de-
test the hypocrite, about his presence there,
his purpose and the infatuation of their father.
who believes him saint not yet transferred to
heaven.
The real interest begins when Tartuffe
IN. Coquelin) enters in the second scene of the
third act, and after a little sparriDg, Dorine
leaves him to Nine. Elmire (wlfe of NJ. Orgon),
VINO enters on in the scene This and scene
fifth in the fourth act are what may be called
the essence of the comedy, because in
the first instance the scOundrel begins
to unveil his character and to show it
in It's true light He is in love with
Elmire, and in his insidiOus way endeavors TO
convince her. in the same way that joseph
Surface rea soned with Lady Teazle, the cOun-
try wife of Sir Peter, that she could prove false
10 her husband with perfect impunity. Elmire,
a woman of good sense, listens TO The tempter
calmly; but Damis, the son, who has over
heard Tartutfe's infamous reasoning Is not so
placid. He enters, kicks up row on the spot
and exposes Tartuffe 10 his father, who comes
on The scene In the midst OF the trouble. The
acting and manner of Coquelln under these dis
cOuraging circumstances are perfect. The
suit is the infatuated Orgon takes the lbertine
aud hypOcrte to his heart and drives his son
out of doors with maledlctions. The wife,
knowing her husband, coolly waits her oppOr-
tunity, aud to convince him OF the infamy OF
Tartuffe promises to have another interview
with him, while he (Orgon) cOnceals him.
self under the table. The fool will be satisfied
with nothing short OF aural and ocular proof.
Elmire gives this in the fifth scene OF the
fourth act. 1t is delicate situation, but how
skillfully Hading managed it. Here's where
the beauty OF French art came in. She led
Tartuffe on ill he approached her, and then
stepping aside, the sc0undrel finds himself con-
frOnted by Orgon, the husband and victim.
Then the end comes rapidly. TarIutfe finds
himself in Jail as confidence man whom the
police bad been looking after for some time
Lies Precieuses Rdicules," the other piece
on the programme. is in a mono-act, and may be
called a lesson TO ladies. IL Was cast as fol-
lows:
Mascarilla. ........................:: M Coqueln
Jodelet. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. Jean Coquen
Gorg bus. M Chameroy
Lagrange. M Nlcollnl
Some of the early English playwriters have
used the idea. IL is simply that two silly
romantic girls have extraordinary Views OF
society life in Paris, and in order to reform
these, Lagrange and Du Croissy Introduce TO
them their Wallets as the Marqus OF Mascarilla
ana the Viscount of Jodelet. The girls are
taken with their "aristocratlc" visitors, but
when the game has gone far enough the
| masters enter and unmask the trick By this
means the girls are taught most use
full lesson and are saved from any serious
i'll consequences The mock aristocrats, per-
sonated by The Coquelins caused no end Of
mirth. Such character and such acting after
artuffe showed the perfect range OF the elder
Coquein's histrionic powers.
The programme for this evening will be lie
Maitre de FORCES" Georges Ohners "The
| orge-Master."
On account OF required rehearsals for "Ther-
| be no performance of the French company on
| Sunday night, November II.
There was no change in the programme of
| the other tbeaters. Fanny Davenport VIII de-
| vote the last week of her engagement 10 "Fe-
| DORA" and the AlcaZar The week beginning No
| vember Is 20 1.-THE DanItes."
| The Barra Company, new accession at the
| Orpheum, is proving great success.
| Mr.. Alfred Wilkes ballad concert will take
| pl ce this af ernoon at Golden Gate Hail. and
| sent high-class concert programme at the
| same place.
| Messrs Eugene II. Bertrand Jr., vocalist and
| Sigismund Blumann, pianist, announce con-