The morning call., 1894-11-25
NEW FRENCH PLAY
VictOrien Sardou's Grand
Work.
SARAH BERNHARDT's GENIUS
Her Creation of the Character of
Gismonda Praised by the
Critics.

| PARIS. Nov. 1.-According to French
critics "GismOnda" is the grandest work
of Victorien Sardou, already illustrious
because of such masterpieces as "Theo-
DORA" LA Tosca," Fedora" "Patrie,"
La Haine" and Madame Sans-Gene."
Although. in my opinion, 'Gismonda" is as
picturesque as Theodore" and dramatic
as 'La Haine," its wonderful success is
due more to the talent of Sarah Bernhard
than to the interest of the drama.
The scene is laid in the Duchy of Athens.
founded il the thirteenth century by
Baldwin of Flanders, but as "Gismonda"
is not an historical drama, the duchy Is
| but the picturesque framework chosen by
the author. Gismnnda is widow of NERO
ii, last Duke of Athens At 30 years of
age she is made regent during the minority
of her son, Francisco. She is entirely oc-
| cupied with the care of Fran cisco and
seems not to realize that the barOns, her
| Deighbors, are all anxious to satisfy their
| ambition and all aspire to her hand. Gis-
monda says she will only marry man
capable of defending her menaced
throne. One day Gismonda allows
her dear son to approach a cistern where
is confined q furious tiger, Gregoras.
whose duty it is to watch over the royal
| child. does not prevent him from falling
into this cistern, and that before the eyes
Of his mother. In her anguish Gismonda
promises to marry the one who saves her
| child, and man, unknown, Jumps into
| the tigers den and brings the child out
safe and sound. This man is Almerio,
simple falcOner, who in straDglng the
tiger is cruelty wounded. GiSmOnda asks
to see the savior of her child, and, Mortified
that a simple servant wishes TO hold her
to the promise, begs the Bishop SOphron
to release her from the vow. The lnt1eXi-
bic Bishop does not believe in perjury.
You have sworn on the cross. your wish
has been granted; only the Pope can re-
lieve you from the VOW"
Gismonda sends to Rome and, waiting
the answer, retres to the convent
of Daphni At last the Bishop brings the
answer. The Pope refuses to grant her
request, and now only Almerio himself
can release her from the VOW. AlmertO is
a servant, and the natural child of a ser
want. How can she, woman OF lllustri-
Gus birth, become the wife of this man?
She offers him gold and honOrs. He re-
fuses. The Pope. through Bishop So
phron, threatens her with excOmmunlca-
ton if she does not fulfill her oath, and
the people of Athens loudly clamOr for
3 the marriage. The convent is surrounded
and the regents life in danger, when AL
, merio Gains the populace, knocks at the
convent door. enters and makes himself
prisoner of GismOnda. In cell Almerio
. refuses to release Gismonda. She offers
him for wife Cypriella. her attendant. He
me give you your liberty"
His submission decides the victory.
! Conquered by so much love and abnega-
ton, Gismopda promises to visit Almerlo.
and gives him a rendezvous for the fol-
t lowing evening. This is the eliminating
point of the entire piece. and seldom, If
5 ever, do we see Oh the French stage
scene of such grandeur. When Gismonda,
. accompanied by her nurse, Thistis, leaves
Almerio after the rendezvous, she per-
= These are Zaccharia Franco, hypOcritical
! | cousin, anxious for her hand, and
, Gregoras, the valet of her son. Listening,
, she learns that Gregoras, in allowing she
little Francisco to Iall in the tigers den,
only followed the instructions of Fac
charia, who, by suppressiDg the child,
/ thought himself more sure to marry the
r mother. Now, the accomplices propose to
. kill Almerio, but on the threshold of his
ca bin they find Gismonda, an ak in her
hand. She strikes, and cleaves i'll twain
Zaccharia's head. Almerio appears, and
+ the agony of the dying man is IN Intensified by
the sight of GismOnda in his rivals arms.
Almerio declares before the Athenlans
assembled in the cathedral that he re-
leases GismOnda from her vow. At this
moment Zaccharia's friends announce the
murder, and AlmeriO accuses himself of
the crime. He knows that he will die by
torture, but cannot allow suspicion 10 fall
on his sovereign. GismOnda, admrIng
Infinite love. ayows all and expresses herr in
tenion of taking AlmeriO for her husband.
She leads bin to the altar in the midst of
the peoples reclamation, and there re-
ceiyes >the Bishops benediction. The
decorations and costumes are magnificent.
The first act represents ancient Athens,
with the Acropois, ParthenOn and prln-
cipal monuments; Gismonda wears a
green velvet gown and gray felt hat with
white feather.
The second act takes place in the con-
vent of Daphni on the road to EIeusis; here
are met the Bishop of SOphron mons. de
Maxi, always grave. serious, solemn.
The third act is in the room of Gismon-
da's palace. Mons. Guitry, who plays AL
merio in this act, has the triumph of his
life.
Sarah Bernhard now wears a rose-col-
ored gown covered with embroidery. With
wonderful art she and Guitry render the
successive modllatlons of anger, pity, love.
She shows her JOY at the sight of man
who would, for her love, sacrifice all; and
he, alternately agitated by hope and de-
spair, decides TO release GismOnda from the
oath that binds her to him.
The fourth act shows a ruined temple
and Almerio's hut. while in the fifth act
we have most wonderful mise en- scene.
The Basilica on Palm Sunday is filled with
seigneurs admirably costumed. The col
onnades support marvellous mOsaics; we
hear the organ and see Bishop SophrOn in
trained gown, with crown of flowers and
palm in her hand, resem bles saint in one
of the stained glass windows.
: Almerio is the finest role ever played by
n Guitry. His height and his voice serve
n him marvelously, and his success is no less
than that of Sarah Bernhardt. And she,
the great artist. how can her wonderful
70 art be described? With what charm does
she, as woman. in the third act, fascinate,
# enthrall Almerio, while at the same time,
| "a Ia q.
With the calmest voice, the simplest ges-
= ture, she marks the distance that separates
II her from her yassal at the same time that
y she shows how near her heart draws her to
g him.
Without doubt Sarah Bernhardps crea-
ton OF Gismonda is the grandest in her
repertoire.
The minor roles are all WORTHY of men,
20 ton. Deval plays his role of Zaecharia
# Franco in perfect taste. and Mime. Mar
- thold as Thstis realizes ones idea OF
Is a faithful old nurse. Mile. Ceylar is a
e. charming vouDp page, and Nine, Darlev