New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-27
lies SURPRISES DU DIVORCE"

The authors of the familiar play which was pre-
scented at Abbey's Theatre last night style 1t
comedy. AS a matter Of fact. LES Surprises du
Divorce" is a farce of the widest description. In
II human nature is not satiriZed-it Is burlesqued
The ubiquitous mother-in-law who spreads con-
sternation through the play is a caricature in the
manner OF the comic weekes. Regarded as an
acting play, the uproarous production OF NM Bis
son and Mars Is a most ingenious piece or work
manship. Regarded as dramatic literature. 1t Is
arrant trash NJ. Coquelir took up this trash last
night and carried II to the level Of art. Nine Had
ing did not appear and the bulk Of the responsibility
for the performance fell upon his shoulders he
bore Il with his usual ease, and with an eastcl'y
with an exhilaration that was less to be expected
Nothing he has done this season has equalled his
Henri Duval in Astounding humor. and nothing mas
surnassed Il In spontaneity 1t Is naturally. FAR
less interesting part than that OF Tarture II mas
not any Of the exquisiteness OF Mascariiie. ana IL
calls for less subtley than either Of these charac-
ters 1t belongs to the lowest range of low COMEDY
md Is on the whole. unmportant In NJ Coqueiin
rsnertoire But in his hands it becomes so scream
,,glv f,nnv and is withal. played with such mar
yeJlous clearness and strength OF execution 'ha'
ne won last night some Of the heartiest applause
which has rewarded his efforts since his initial
appearance this winter
The com,calty OF Henri Duvals. experiences in
Ties Surprises du Divorce Is in rising SCALE
which eliminates at the end Of the second act.
The third act is still full OF ambuscades and mo-
ments OF frenzed puzzlement for the unhappy nus
band but the great climax occurs just before the
second curtain goes down. NJ. Coquelin LED up 70
This climax with remarkable fnesse. As scene atter
scene was passed. with each one placing him IN
more narrowing situation than the last; " seemed
as though the surprise. despair and ludcrous rage
Of Duval had reached the final stage OF expression
but each time ". Coquel!n rose one degree higher
in the scale. and his crescendo was as fresh as
though his adventures had only just begun The
theatre was kept in a continuous state OF merri-
,nent that at times became overwhelming. The
performance eloquent illustration or the
thoroughness with which NJ. Coquelin masters a
role, the pains which he spends upon its every de-
tail Henri Duval is character that appeals 70
none of the higher ambitions Of an artist. but VI.
Coqueln. in undertaking II. plays II with A devo-
ton equal 10 that which he gives 20 far more
worthy material 1t is, perhaps. rcgrettabe that he
should give it any attention at all An actor of his
ability might be better employed But since he has
elected to do the work II is to be freely admitted
that he does II surprisingly wei. The company
which supports him was in excellent form last
night. and all the characters were made amusing.
Nine Patry truly ridiculous. which IS TO say
a truly satisfactory. Nine Downward. and ". Deroy.
as Bourganeuf. acted that silly gentleman to the
life.