The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-10-09
AMuSEM ENTS.


the most elaborate, expensive and COM
the Salt Lake theater since Fanny
Davenport presented cleopatra" was
that of Madame Sans Gene" given by
Kathryn Kidder and her company last
night. One begins to understand, after
seeing a presentation on such a scale
of magnificence, why such company
is unable to play at the usual theater
rates, and the only feeling left after
witnessing it is one of surprise that
such a production can be brought out
so great a distance from the metropo-
lis, and one of respect for the enterprise,
skill and taste which make it possible.
Nothing we have had on our stage could
equal in general brilliance of costum
ing and scenery, the effect of the court
reception, when the various characters
entered in the beautiful dresses of the
first empire and made their bows to
the hostess. Napoleon's chamber was a
piece of scenic work almost equally adj
miraole.
Sans Gene" Go settle many inquiries
it may be here said that Sans means
without, Gene means care, trouble
or annoyance, and the term Madame
Sans Gene" as used by Parisians, would
come as near meaning Madame Free
and Easy" or Madame Don't Care"
as anything that could be expres5ed)
is one of the latest of the great Sar-
dous works, which means that it is full
of action, fire, brilliance, intensity, dra-
matte situation and originality. Unlike
nearly every other author who has
dared to take Napoleon for his theme,
he has skipped over the period of his
life with Josephine, and introduces him
when he is reigning as emperor with
Marie Louise of Austria as his spouse:
such historical characters as Lefebyre
Fouche, Savary! two of Napoleon's sis
terS, the Arab RouStan, Junot, Duroc
etc, are introduced. and to the student
Of that momentous period the play
apart from its interesting story, is a
source of absorbing pleasure and profit.
The opening act, which gives a GLIMPSE
of the French revolution, caught the
spirit of that terrible time most admir-
ably, and the later scenes, where NJ
poleon is introduced, indicate the hansa
of the master No one but Sardor
could bring the immortal Corsican upon
the stage as principal character. and
hope to do justice to him, but Sardou
treats with skill all his own the var
i9uS phases of Nap0leon's character, and
leaves the impression of an excellent
and accurate picture of the ernperor
as be was, just at the time when his
glory had reached its zenith, and he had
begun to be harassed with the doubts
suspicious and troubles which surround
ed him almost Continuously from tbe
time he allied himself with the ho1,so
of Austria
Not second to the impression made
py the play was that scored by the
players. Miss Kidder in the title role.
MI. Cook as Napoleon and Harold
Russell
central figures, surrounded by Mr..
Granger as De Neipperg, Mr. Shaw as
Fouche and regular host of lesser
people, all of whom acquitted them
selves excellently. Miss Kidder'5
breezy, novel and unconventional STYLE
thoroughly gave the Sans Gene" idea
and caught the fancy of the audience
at once. Her dressing was something
on the breath-taking order; and so If
may be said was her undressing. Her
conception of the part is a rare Gre
alton, and if old Sardou had ever seen
her abilities demonstrated, we do not
wonder at his intrusting his play to her
charge. She had some warm curtain
calls last evening. Mr.. Cook had the
real difficulty of the play in attempting
TO present picture of Napoleon Hi:;
success was vivid and startling, and
certainly no actor on the American
stage could have better filled the ideal.
Harold Russell got a big reception
from those in the audience who recog-
nized him in his wig and smooth
shaven face, and it would have been
bigger still had his disguise been less
perfect. He played the rough, manly
soldier with admirable vigor and in
thorough key with the play. His best
opportunities are in the first and last
acts, and he made the most of them.
His aDpearance in full in the da shinp
regimentals of the period was most
handsome. He shared the curtain call
with Miss Kidder. Mr.. Changers De
Neipperg was we'll acted. Mr.. Shaw's
Fouche, we fancy, was not all that
could be made of that arch scoundrel.
whose real character is surprisingly
toned down in Sardou's play. The la
dies III the support deserve special
mention for their admirable dressing.
and Misses Lincoln and Campbell as
Napoleon's sisters were specially good
in the family quarrel scene.
Mr. Waite was given an ovation for
an artistic rendering of the Rusticana
selection.
Sans Gene" is the sort of production
that ought to fill the theatre from the
orchestra back to the last gallery row.
Last nights audience was one of the
largest and most brilliant the house
has held this season. and without doubt
| it was enraptured at the performance
JULIA MARLOwE.-In the new
rlay, 'eRomola," with which Julia Mar
lowe Taber and Robert Taber open
their engagement at the theatre on
Monday evening, Mrs. Taber wears
beautiful blonde wig made to order,
the tresses of which flow down her
shoulders, in order to suit the line in