The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-04-03
TWO COMEDIANS.

60 make his first appearance ON the
stage in "Chatterton. The piece,
which, though not forgotten, had drop
ped out Of sight and for some years had
Glled narrower sphere in the quiet ap
probation of home reading, now excit
cd, on its first night. almost the interest
that great novelty might. Those who
were familiar with it without having
seen 1t played were curious to assist al
Its interpretations process in which
certain beauties of work, especially
the most subtle points, disappear, are
scattered, volatilized, as one may say,
in the heat of the footlights, while 9TH
ers burst unexpectedly into view through
the medium of voice and gesture.
Those who had been present at former
performances of the piece were happy
to bring back again two hours of their
youth and to glow once more with the
warmth of their first artistic emotion.
In word, the old play, reappearing as
1t did in the midst of the commonplace
trivialities of the day, rejuvenated the
whole audience and aroused it to en-
thusiasm
1t must be admitted that it would be
impossible to conceive of more perfect
Chatterton than young Bloncourt made
Son and grandson of comedians, the
youth had the blood of true artist in
his veins, and he was evidently bent on
proving it to US that evening.
In the tumult and excitement Of the
applause, in the midst of the hundreds
Of pairs Of eyes and hands that were ex-
Clusively concerning themselves with
the stage, / caught glimpse from time
20 time Of handsome face which look
Cd out, pale and set, from the darkness
ct the back of the house. 1t was Blon-
court the father, who had come to be
present at the triumph of his son. Evi-
IDENTIFY deeply moved, he frequently
changed his place and appeared in all
the different parts Of the theater, some
times in the midst of the brilliant dis
play in the boxes and at other moments
was almost lost in the crowded CALLER
lea 1t was as though he wished to
measure on every side this splendid sue
cess, in which he also had share. The
audience recognized him and pointed
him out to each other. "Look at Papa
Bloncourt Isn't he happy tonight,
thought And some of them while ap.
plauding turned in his direction, as
though to include the great artist in the
triumph of his child and pupil.
1t is fact that no fame is so short
lived as that of a comedian. Once he
drops out Of the public gaze it is all
over with him. No one gives him a
further thought. His is the fate of the
spoken word, which, however beauti-
full, is carried off in air; of the musical
chord that vanishes as soon as the notes
are struck. But in this case, thanks to
his son, Bloncourt could escape the ter
rible destiny that awaits comedians.
BE was welcoming a new glory which
was rising at the fading Of his own and
would merge his artistic career in an
other full of hope and promise. So the
poor mans emotion was deep and
STRONG. j could see that his lips COCA
Gonally trembled, and his limbs twitch-
Cd with nervousness. Between each act
he roamed about in the Hobbies, draw
ing near the different groups to over
hear what was being said, and when
hand OlasDa and Fluctuations WARE V1rass