The morning times., 1896-03-10

Iator-At the Other Theaters.
Sarah Bcrnhardt came back 10 the Wash
ington stage last night after an absence
which she has spent in the capitals Of
Europe, continuing her triumphs in the old
Sardou and Dumas pieces, and at her own
Paris thcater, where she added three nota-
bic new dramas to- her repertoire.
The return OF Bcrnhardt is always an
occasion OF significance. This is demanded
by her position as the greatest French
actress, by many even rated as the foremost
actress of theI world, distinction uni
versaliy conceded in a certain class of
roles where the emotions are ouyert, the
effects broad, the process being expression
instead of repression.
Since the advent OF naturalism tue adj
mirers OF this style of acting say that the
French woman is theatfic. But the end is
attained. She moves an audience with all
the power OF old before the apotheosis or
the commonplace and realism became n
cult
REAL OR THE IDEAL.
Who shall say whether ii is greater art
to give the unreal and the unnatural
semblance of possibility and idealiZe it 10
the point of oGlterating all consciousness
of its artilicialtlcs, or SO 10 present the
commonplaces of possible and actual
hunian that they too are idealized and are
potent in producing deep emotion?
Bcrnhardt stands for the former. Not
that she is unnat atural but she is romantic
ana intense. She is II great genius whose
stimulant is great things. She is an
extremist. theeXponento toftheunuSual.
The play is the only distinct novelty OF
her repertoire. Either Beruhardt herself
or some other actress has been seen herc
in the other plays.
''Izcyl'' was written for Sarah by the
Partisan literateurs, Armand Sylvester
and Eugene Morand. The fit is perfect.
1t is constructed to bring out every quality
OF the artistic associated with her greatest
l'triumphs. There isluXugy lololli iu, prince
to bcwitch. Il lover t0murdcr, a deathto die
ixhundred years before Christ a nd situate
in a remote corner of India there lived q
fascinating courtesan tIzeyn and two
brothers, Prince SidGhartha tDarmOnt eand
Scyndia (Dencubcrg). The prince being
about TO be enthroned becomes convert
To the religion OF Buddha. He relinquishes
his pretensionS ana becomes a teacher in
the new faith.
"IZEYL'S" LOVE.
Scynd!a had been love. o. Izeyl and at
her bidding had stolen the sacred tripod
from the temple for her. This PstranEef
his mother from her. To revenge herself
on the mother she resolves TO follow heE
other son into his retreat and win his lOyc-
Bus has faith and exaEnple is stronger than
her Sensuous appeal.
She returns a convert. TO sell her Jewels
and prepare for The spiritual life. Scynda
| has meantime become Ralah, now meets
/ Izeyl and begs 10 renew their old asso
! cation. Izeyl refuses ana kills him III de
/ fcnse OF her honor, For this he MagdairI
/ is blinded and led into The forest 10 die
| Siddhartha meets her and she dies III h!
arms faithful 10 her VOWS.
The magnificenCe OF the subject is patent
| The development is exquiSitely poetic and
the performance is in harmony. Beruhard
| was a S effective as she QnlE could have beer
as the Indian Courtesan and Buddhist
lAIagdafen. The scene wherein she kills
| her tempter. GraEs his body under the table
eonfronts the Tuotherr learns she has mur
dercd her monarch and hears the sentence
| of martyrdom Is as fine as any other piece
| of acting in her extensive repertoire.
The last actts in (which she dies, was
equally effective in SIN intense but subducC
manner. h
| SaTdn seems 10 nave Inc cltHlr OF iuc
She appears to drink of the fountains of per
petual youth. SheEis a grandmother, anc
vet the kindness OF years and the devices
! OF her makeup box Keep her age out OF ne
face with eniatrkabie success.
STILL THE DIVINE SARAH.
The peculiar kojceSis fascinating as ever
| The tricks and nlannerisnis chanting mon
otOne. transitifns-all charms as wher
they came a revelation to us more years agt
than it were gallant to say here.
The support wasall that could be expected
! First place belongs 20 NJ. sDarmout, wlie
as the priest prince, Siddartha. was npreS
sive and contenting. Nine. Patty as the az
grieved mother was forcefuI and skiilru
especially in her powerful scene at the en'
of the third act.
a chara cter of considerable Importance il
the story and admirably conceived and poI
trayed by NJ. Deval, was the Yughi, tn
fiery fanatic. Others in the cast did the pol
tton that fell to themin an admirable mannc
and in harmony with the balance of tn
picture.
The mounting was superb 1t was
testy experiment to come in the wake {
grand opera but Bernhardts genius an
the lavish display of scenery, properi ie
and costuming in "Izeyr' enthraIl eve
after the triumphs of last week. Tonigl
Camille will he given.
| .T -, y,,o ,,,,5o IT. yIr.,.I,:,,..