The morning call., 1894-02-25

to stage decoration and costume. Thus
we have seen at the Renaissance Les
Rois," Jules Lemaitre's curious social
comedy, and have admired Racine's
"Phedre" and Dumas Dame aux Camel
las" Never have the masterpieces of
Racine and Dumas been interpreted as at
this theateT, but the scenery and costumes
of "IZe!j" surpass all that have gone
before.
The drama begins with some wonderful
episodes in the life of Cakya- Monni. In
the first two acts we have the Indian
legend, but in the last two the founder of
Buddhism is in the background while
interest centers around lZeijl, the repent
ant disciple of the prophet. In the first
two acts the drama is spiritual; the last
two bring US down 10 the level of humanity.
The authors show US the Prince of
Cakyas surrounded by the splendor of an
Indian cOnrt. Opposite the temple Of the
goddess Khali lives IZeijI, the beautiful
woman for whose smile he great ones of
earth would lay down their lives. While
Prince Scyndia is ornamenting IzeiiPs
terrace with roses. arrives the King, the
one who later will be the revered Buddha.
In the midst of the crowd stands forth a
man, an ascetlc, the yoghi, clothed in rags.
He tells the young King to beware of de-
ceit, OF the treachery surrounding rulers.
AS he speaks appear an aged man, a leper
and a mother beTeayed of her child. The
young King begins to understand that here
is suffering of which he never dreamed,
and the yoghi marks out for him line of
conduct. Thereafter he will leave his
scepter and crown, and in the depths of
the forests ask of meditation the secret of
happiness.
Again. we find him at the foot of the
famous tree, Bohdimandha. He is clothed
in sim pie yellow and red tnnic and has
renOunced all royal rights and nrerogatiyes.
The spirit of evil tries in vain 10 turn him
from the path of right. He is loved by
Izelll. and she offers him her life. But as
he answers she understands that there is
love purer than any she has ever known.
Obeying the orders of the master of her
soul. IZeijl lights the fire which announces
to the faithful scattered on the mountain
that the hermit of Cakyas has found in
prayer the expression of truth. Again, in
obedience 20 her master, 1ZeiJl returns to
her palace. She sells all that she possesses
for the poor. Prince Scyndia loves Izeijl,
and to win her affection offers her rich
presents; these she gives to the poor.
Never will she be unfaithful to the one
who has taught her how to find happiness.
ScyndIa, who has become ruler of the
kingdom. is exasperated that lZeijl dares
to oppose HIM. and tells her he will kill the
new prophet. She in despair seizes the
poniard of the prince and stabs him to the
heart. Princess HaraStri enters, and IZeiil.
ignorant of the fact that the princess is the
mother of Scyndia, acknowledges her
L
princess in pity promises to take charge of
the dead body. and then she discovers the
horrible truth. Furious, she delivers IZeiil
TO the vengeance of the people. She will
be tortured until she betrays the names of
her accompllceS.
pears. She implores his aid, but he re-
plies: You must eXpiate; the moment for
my aid is not yet" Words cannot de-
scribe the wonderful acting of Nine. Bern
hardt in this scene. Terror and anguish
were depicted on her face. and the ent1u
siastlc ovation she received was we'll mer
tied.
In the last act, Izeij. whose eyesight
has been destroyed by her rorturess. is
thrown in the depths of temple of India.
She would accept willingly all torture
could she see the one she loves. AT this
supreme moment the prophet returns and
makes known his love. Izeijl, who has
been imploring death to liberale her. now
wishes to live, and the prophet for a mo-
ment forgets his faith and envies those
who can love and suffer. Izeijl dies, and
relives more than ever beautiful i'm the
heart OF lotus. held in the hand of the
statue of India,
Nine. Bernhardt is well supported.
Nine. Marie Laurent, the greatest Of the
atrical mothers, is pathetic in the role of
Princess Harastri. Monsieur Guitry rep
resents the King who sacrifices all for the
search after truth; Monsieur de Max is
perfect as the yoghi He personates well
TINS solemn Ianatical fakir and Monsieur
Luxembourg, as Prince Seyndia, won new
laurels.
In the audience were representatives OF
the literary and theatrical worlds. no.
tlced Nine. Brandes, Victorien Sardou.
Monsieur Vaequerie Lemaitre, Monsieur
Waldeck Rousseau FrancisQue Sarcey,
1ro Bosch. Pierre Veron. DR.. and Nine.
SegouG. IDverniZzi, Marguerite Ugalde, etc.
Eugene Morand. who with Armand Sill
vestre wrote 'IZeijl." has abandoned paint
ing for dramatic composition. Soon as
the plot of "lZeijI" was arranged Silvestre |
wrote his s,anzas and Morand, on his side, |
composed verses. Then they read to each |