The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-02-08
CAMII4LE'S TRIUMPH.
THE FIRST PRESENTATION OF DUMAS
Fills GREAT PLAY.
1t Was Tremendous Success. but It Fol
lowed Long Series of Doubts and DIFF
houities That Threatened Disaster-Fech-
tors Opposition Proved a Help.

H.
tors Opposition Proved Help.
FROM notes in my possession camo to
tne conclusion long ago that young Dumas
aia not sec half SO much of Alphonsine
Fiessls during her better known existence
as ID commonly supposed, and that the
hrst idea Of his novel, which preceded his
play py Tour years, was most likely suC-
eestea TO him by tho sensation her death
oausod among tho Paris public, the female
scotlon OF which, almost without distinc-
1ion, went to look at her apartment, to
appfaise nor jewels and dresses, otto. Tho
success of the story may hayo i,eeotton IN
the young authors mind, IL not in his
heart, feeling Of gratitude to the dead
glri, which, by very natural transition
IN ono SO young, developed into q genuine
or iancled affection for her memory.
AT any rate, on tho New Years day aft-
er the publication of tho book Dumas made
n pilgrimage to Alphonsine's grave Mt
Montmartro, and he wendod his way thith
or second time on tho LIST of january.
iSoo. Dumas himself acknowledged that
nc was lmpelled to that visit by kind of
superstition. Tho sober fact was that ho
wanted prctcxt to bemoan his hard fate.
ana cemetery seemed to him tho most
suitable spot to give Won't to his tears. Wo
III.
Frenohman of that age ut TINT period,
oven an Alexandra Dumas fills in the max
ing, was different creature from tho
youthful cynic of tho nineties.
IL happened to BIO q dull, rainy day, and
on his return homo Dumas drew his cur
tains, lighted his lamp and took out his
manuscript. Ho mnde few corrections
I'm onso of neod, as ho said himself, "and
everything connected with Now Years day
In tho fifth act was written then." Ho
mad just finished when there was q knock
at his door. The visitor was his friend,
Henri Mirault-a kind of Fronch Georgcs
Durlacher OF the period-that is, good
natured, serviceable creature, hand In
glove with every theatrical manager, actor
anu actress of motto. Mirault Ind only
heard fragments of tho piece. Dumas read
tne whole OF it to him, and he also predict
CD eventual succoss-providcd manager
could DO found to present tho play to the
public.
More thnn 10 months wont by before
the desired manager was found, and oven
then 10 was of questionable solyency. But
Bouffe, the director of tho Varictios-not
to DO confounded with tho eminent actor
OF tho same name-though frequently
1mpeounious, was honest and sympathetic
TO degree and having pledged his word
IN
adhered to 1t, in spite of the difficulties
of all kinds and tho vexatious intcrference
of the censorship foroscon by Virginia Do
jazot.
Rohenrsals had scarcely begun whom
Annals Fargcuil throw up hor part Sho
felt craniped and uncomfortable In 1t. Eu-
genie Docho, whom every ono considered
as tho next best representative was in
London, and had openly announced her
determination mover to face tho footlights
again. Bouffo dispatched Fechtor to her
with tho manuscript. The last words had
barely fallen from tho famous actors Inns
when she gave orders to pack hor trunks.
She never wavercd for an instant in her
1irst appreciation, but sho was only ono of
thrco-in cast of 17-who had implicit
filth.
The other two were Delannoy and Lu-
quot, respectively tho original Duval pero
and CASTOR Rieux. Fourteen of tho major
and minor nterprotcrs-Fechter atIheir
head-lost confidence in tho piece as tho
rehearsals proceeded. They became afraid
of tho boldness Of the subject. Tho au-
thor's recommendations and suggestions
wore pooh poohed. Hu was not supposed
to know anything of his business, although
moments reflection ought to havo shown
to ono and oil that such n son of such a
father, who, moreover, had nearly always
accompanied his sire to rchcnrsuls, must
have learned something.
one instance of this systematic opposi-
ton will suffice. In tho last scene but
ono of act 4 Armand says to Marguerite,
Toll me that you love NJ. Do Varvillc,
and l will go, never to return again"
We'll, If L must tell you, lovo NJ. De
Varville," replies Marguerite. Dumas
folt convinced that his stage directions, as
they stood In tho manuscripts. rs they had
been printed in ali tho editions, should be
carried out to tho letter. Fcchtor, OH the
other hand, obstinatcly refused to clutch n
woman's wrists to force her to go OH her
knees, to lift his hand against her, in order
to strike her, perhaps to kill her with ono
blow. Ho Ind never dono such thing,
no said. Tho public would not stand
such an exhibition of violence -
And evon ut the dross rehearsal he per.
sisted III his refusal. Dumas was equally
firm. Ivory well, said Fcchtor ut last,
~ will do what you wish, if the piece goes
rs far as the fourth act. 1 am certain it
will not reach the second-at any rate, not
tho third" But before the curtain fell
upon tho first act tho SUCCESS OF tho play
was practically assured. Dumas did not
repeat his instructions, and Mt tho scene in
question Fcchtor suddenly remembered tho
authors wish. Tho movement had never
been rchearsed Nine. Docho was not pre-
pared for it. Fcchtor had to tako her by
the wrists and use real force The great
actress was absolutely dumfoundcd. She
had no idea of what it meant.
The effect was simply immense, and
Fochtcr, carried away by the situation,
slammed the door so violently behind him
that one of tho candelabra on tho tabio
dropped to tho floor with crash The in
cdent was regarded by tho public rs
carefully prepared bit of stage business
and helped tc increase tho already frantic