The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-01-26

Sardou's 'Thermidor,' dealing with the
period Of the French revolution was
produced at the Comede Francois and
created such a whilwind of opposition
that all Paris was aroused. Thereupon
Sardou vowed that he would never
again pen a drama that even so much
as touched on the French revolution of
, the last century and consequently he
had to decline to make Charlotte Cor
I day suitable figure for the stage.
The task was consigned to other hands
Charlotte Corday was a most re-
markable young woman whose whole
life history is comprised in the one
great act she did for France. l try in
| outward appearance, expression and
| action to give the actual young woman
who rid her country of Marat and my
| conception of the character has, of
| course, been criticised. l have been
told that l reproduce an impossible
young woman. but / do not believe that
this is true. 1t must be borne in mind
| that Charlotte Corday was not an en-
tirely rational being at the period with
which the drama has to do OF q quiet,
reserved and thoughtful nature. she
| dwelt upon the miseries her country en-
| dured until by the gradual evolution
or forces at work in her young mind
she came to believe herself an instru-
ment in the hand of the Almighty like
Judith and Joan Dare of old are said
to have been.
1t Is such a person that ] ATTEMPT
to reproduce for such being | am con-
vinced was Charlotte Corday. Do |
like the stage? Yes. for one must live.
you know, and to live one must work.
| think my talent lies in the direction
am pursuing therefore the stage will
continue to be my home"
The Chicago Herald is not sanguine
| as to the success of "Trlby" on the
stage. There Is a well-grounded i'm
preston" 1t says, that 'Trilby' drama
tized would be bare bones with no
flesh and not a sign of life that could
be recognized by surgico-dramatic
detective. If Du Maurier achieves some
resemblance to Thackeray in his treat
| ment of the characters in 'Trilby' IL
must follow that-as was notably true
OF the great Englishman-hs fiction
Will not be easily reduced and revised
for stage use. But to this conclusion
Mr.. Palmer does not asesnt, and as his
unerring judgment was disclosed in his
refusal of shenandoah which only re-
allied paltry half million to those
VINO did waste their time in producing
it-and in other incidents of a long
janitorial career, 1t may be foolhardy
to dissent from his opinion. Many
novels have been dramatized, and a
few such efforts have achieved success,
but as rule the descriptive essence
! and spirit of a novel Is It's most no.
table charm. and with this sacrificed
but little remains. 1t will seem to many
that this Is fact applicable to "Trilby,
and even If there were not u doubt at
this point some will question the value
to the stage of such II character"
Joseph jefferson. the first of Ameri-
can comedians. Is soon to retire from
the stage forever. He will play for a
bref season and then ''the gayety of the
nation will be eclipsed' so far as this
cleverest of the modern mummers Is
concerned. He will, according to a Chi
cago contemporary. have big testi-
monial, monster tribute OF his artistic
woiIhh by members of the profession
which he has so long and honorably
adorned. The tribute would be given
more enduring shape II the suggestion
of John Drew. now starring in "The
Bauble Shop" himself an eminent
comedian and one of a family illustri-
Gus for Its contributions to the brilliant
side /of dramatic art, was followed
"Weall love and are proud OF Joe JEFF
feson." said Mr.. Drew, "and i don't
believe there Is any tribute too great
that we could give him. My idea of
| the pleasure which his acting has given