The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-03-18
FRENCH COMEDY.
EdOuard PaiIlerOn'S Most
Recent Play.
"CABOTINS" NOT up TO MARK
A Production That Is Not Worthy
the Author of ''Le Monde on
Pon S'ennuie.'
"CABOTINS" NOT up TO MARE

OF Mons. Edouard PaillerOn, nOtwithstand-
ing the reports that preceded his new
comedy, Notwithstanding the title of the
play and the solemnity of the theater,
"Cabotins" will not have the success due
to an author of Pailleron's merit.
In the first act we see the studio of the
sculptor, Cardevent; he is a trne artist.
passionate. sincere and poor. For the past
three years he has exhibited without sue
cess. but now he chisels the bust of
young woman whom he saw at the salon
last Vanishing day. Pierre CardeveDt is
not acquainted with his model, but he was so
impressed with her beauty that he decided
that it should be immOrtaliZed. His studio
is in a building devoted entirely to artists,
and his neighbors are painters and sculp-
tors, dear compatriots from Provence.
The house is called the "BOite PAIL"
and among its occupants only one.
the old Grigneux, is really serious;
ne works that he may live, and regrets
that his brush has not the skill to portray
the conceptions OF his mind. The others
look first for success. afterwsrd for tai
ent Cardevent is preoccupied. and can
not conceal the fact from Grigneux, who
loves him as a son and knows that ne pos
sesses great creative genius. 1t cannot
be money, for Cardevent has sold his
salon statue to jew, Pere Coltner; it
cannot be glory, for the young artist feels
sure that, sooner or later. the medal will
he his. Grlgneux sees the Unfinished
bust, and realizes that in love lies the
danger. GrigneuX warns his friend, for
he, too, has suffered. His wife, Valentine,
has betrayed and abandoned him; but she
was beautiful, and resembles in a start
ling degree the bust modelled by Carde-
vent.
Grigneux leaves the studio to ask the
/ name of the fortunate artist who has
gained the medal. Suddenly the door
opens and gay. happy young girl an
nOuDces to Cardevent that he is the win
ner. The young girl is his unknown odel,
and as he has dreamed of her she has
! thought of him. AS soon as the announce
ment is made the studio is filled with
friends of the artist. among whom are Pc
gOrr as, a lawyer. journalist, strong willed,
! eloquent and fearless; COracel, chief of the
| impressionists; Larvejol, a novelist: Dr.
! Saint Marin, elegant in manner and cor
rect in dress; Nj. de Laversee. nephew of a
| Senator ard member of the institute;
Nine. de Layersee, wife of the man who
| devotes his time TO the study OF Murillo
and his works. This woman has a liter
4 airy salon and her home resem bles a badly
| kept studio. She loves DR.. Saint Marin,
and is Jealous of Valentine whom, in order
/ To carry out the wish of her husbands
uncle, she has educated. NJ. and Nine. de
| LaveTsee invite all the artists to a grand
fete, and the second act tran sports us to
! the Laversee salon. After dinner CaIde-
vent tells Valentine of his love, and Mime.
| de Laversee surprises Dr.. Saint Marin
very near her prOtegee. Indignant, she
attacks Valentines reputation. The lat
/ ter bravely defends herself, while the
artists sing studio songs and become very
! hilarious. Dr.. Saint Marin devotes him.
self so boldly to Valentine that Nine. de
Laversee turns them both from the house.
In the third act We are again in Carde-
vents studio. Valentine asks protect
from the sculptor, aud his mot her consents
to take her to the south of France. Valen-
tine has but one idea: TO prove her inno-
cence in the eyes of CaTdevent and his
mother
Six months pass Valentine cannot in
| duce Cardevents mother To forget the
! past. We are In the modest home OF Nine.
Cardevent. Canigou, Provence. The statue
of NJ. de Laversee's uncle is to be unveiled.
| Peg0Inas has persuaded the nephew that
! he can quickly become member of the
! institute If he is Fl st Deputy. So we'll does
! PegOrnas work for his patron that he him
| self receives the nomination. Pierre Car
deveut arrives because he wishes 10 see his
work unveiled. The old Grigneux discrv-
ers that Valentine is his daughter. Nine.
! Cardevent gives her consent to the mar
rage OF her son, and all are happy.
/
| PaillerOn's reputation, nothing to the glory
! Of the house of MOliere.
| OF all the characters PegOrnas is the
| only one possessing strength and continG-
! iiy. NJ. de Ferandy interprets this role in
a marvellous manner Without him the
! play would seem very dull, but his crea-
ton of Pegornas must be considered the
! best in his career.
Pierre Cardevent is NJ. Worms, and this
actor makes the most possible out of an
ungrateful role. NJ. Got represents the
aged Grigneux, and NJ. Laloir Is amusing
as Laversee. Nine. Pauline Granger is
graceful as Niue. Cardevent. Mile.
Bran1es has no opportunity TO show her
! talent in the role of Nine. de Laversee,
| but Mile. Marsy as Valentine is superb in
| appearance and acting. We must not for
get COqueln cadet, who. at the soiree OF
Nine. de Laver>ee, recites monologues and
| epresents-CGQuelin cadet.
NJ. Pailleron's comedies usually charm us
by their delcacy and wit, but "Cabotins"
shows us situations, treal ed with master
hand, beside others so heavy and unin-
teresting that we can hardly believe them
due to the pen of the author of lie Monde
on Pon s'ennue."
BARONESS ALTHEA SALVADOR.
Paris Eah 1904