The Indianapolis journal., 1896-04-26
BERNHARDT AS IZEYL
THE DIVINE SARAH WILL GIVE HER
NEW PLAY MONDAY NIGHT.
Two Performances by the Great
French Actress at EngIish's-.A
MIX White Flags Return.

EXOTIC drama VIII be the attraction at
English's Opera House for the two perform
ances by Madame Sarah Bernhardt. COM
mencing tomorrow. Monday night. 1t has
been so long since the divine Sarah visited
Indianapolis that the theater-going public
will appreciate this coming Bernhardt feast.
While the Madame does not announce
farewell tour. she has been throwing out
hints along the way that she very much
doubted her returning to these shores again.
since she has her own theater in Paris now
to look after. She thinks she has, by this
time. earned the reward Of settling down in
her own beautiful home, in La Belle France,
where she may give her attention wholly to
local productions. Maaame Bernhardt is one
OF the great geniuses of the present stage.
and the remarkable performances to be CIV
en- here will be well attended. Bernhardt
carries with her all the original scenic and
costume equipnent and her own company
from the Theater lie la Renaissance, Paris.
where her latest success, "Izeyl." originated.
The very latest Bernhard triumph is
'Izeyl." the Hindoo tragedy, which has al
ready attracted so much attention in Paris.
London and New York, and the principal
cities of this country, which have been in
cluded in the Bernhardt route to this city.
"Izeyl'' is a drama full of tragic beauty.
simplicity of plot, intenseness of interest
and barbaric color the time being six GEN.
turies before Christ in remote province
of India. The authors of .Izeyl" found the
documents for their story in the legends
translated by Burnouf. The first act takes
place in the public square in the city of
Kaplavaston. To the right Is the high tenn
pie of the Kali. and to the left the palace
Of the courtesan, Izeyl. The Prince Scynida
is madly in love with Izeyl. and he bids his
attendants bring flowers and music to give
his usual morning serenade. His mistress
appears with her attendants. While she is
satisfied with the luxurious homage given,
she dreams Of the unknown. and scarcely
condescends to glance at the golden tripod
stolen by the Prince from the sacred altar
Of the temple to lay at her feet. Indignant
crowds gather in the square and threaten
IZeyl with punishment for the sacrilege, but
the Prince Harastri Gains the popular temp
est by saying that such creatures must be
treated with the silent contempt they de-
serve This language Is new to Izeyl. She
likes Ii not and seeks revenge.
Suddenly the trumpets announce the COM
ing Of the Crown Prince Saryamouni, who
goes to the temple to pray before his coro-
nation Respectfully the people bow, but
the Prince seems sad and weary. He bids
the Yoghi speak and tell him of the crimes,
the sin and grief of the world. The diseased,
the poor and suffering are brought to tell
their tale Of woe to the astonished Prince,
for he has seen only the bright side of life.
He determines not to reign, and he gives up
his empire, going to the desert to preach-a
mere disciple of Yoghi. Izeyl has hastened
to the rescue, and she says that did he know
love, he would not go, and the Yoghi dares
her to try her power.
The second act represents a starlight night
in the forest. Under the branches Of cedar
tree the Prince is seated. In the distance
flows the river, and now and then
hears the murmur Of soft music and song.
and the merry noise of laughter in the IL
Illuminated barges. 1t is here that the new
disciple must be tempted. Women come and
kneel at his feet, beseeching his love. but
he will not listen to their prayer. Suddenly
Izeyl appears, beautiful and statuesque, in
a long robe of silk and gold. She kneels to
confess her life and sin. She is tender,
pentant, caressing. She weeps and implores,
but all in vain. Faith triumphs. but the man
Is kindly. His words are gentle. and when
he talks of spiritual love. and of the beauty
and happiness of pure faith and hope, Izeyl
believes and becomes the Madeline of the
Hindu Christ.
The third act is very dramatic. After
walking three days and nights through the
desert, Izeyl has returned with Yoghi to
her home. She is Ill, and comes only to have
her treasures sold to give everything to the
poor But another severe trial is in store for
her. Scyndia, in her absence and unknown
to her, has become the King. He is carefully
49, II
astri. She shuts him up in his room every
night and guards the door of her palace.
Nevertheless, the Prince escapes and leads
a merry life He brings to Izeyl treasures,
jewels and gold and she asks if she can
take them without promise, and then tells
the Yo2hi to give them TO the poor. The
King becomes violent and aggressive. and
Izeyl indignant and outraged. Finally. in
the struggle, she snatches his dagger from
his belt and kills him. She does not know
that she has killed the King The Kings
mother discovers the deed. Under her order
Izeyl is condemned TO the torture. They tear
out her eyes. They beat her with sticks.
They stone her on the place of public execu-
ton. There she is left to die. The Buddha,
the master. comes to her, and when he con-
fesses that in the desert she did tempt him.
for he Is. despite his creed, but man, she
dies content. for death does not matter
much to the woman who knows she is loved.
On Tuesday night Bernhard will give
Camille" and it is conceded by many that
none has ever impersonated Marguerite
Gauther more effectively
The Bernhnrdt Poster.
The poster faddists have experienced
new sensation in the dainty, odd-shaped.
odd-sized and quantity designed window
bills which announce the coming Of Bern
hardt. After the Beardsly, Brady and Dud-
ley Hardy posters which inaugurated and
L. -.