The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-07-12
SAVED BY CRITICISM.
HOW RACHEL WIPED OUT FAILURE
WITH GLORIOUS SUCCESS.
me Great Actress In the Part Of Roxane.
influence Of Kind and Loyal Manager,
Friendly but just Critic and q Proud
and Passionate Father.

influence of Kind and Loyal Manager.
Friendly but just Critic and q Proud
and Passionate Father.
AL the early age of II Rachels fame had
spread like wildfre throughout Paris.
jules Janin, the well known theatrical
critlc OF the time, whose word made or
INJURED, was unstinted in his praise of her
marvellous genius. Crowds focked to the
Ooneule Franchise To witness, one after the
other, the plays of Racine and Corneille,
III all OF which Rachel scored immense sue
oess' rlnally the management announced
baJazet, tragedy by Racine, for the
next performance. On the eyentful night
the people literally fought at the doors for
auhlttance. But, To the great astonish-
ment or ALL act succeeded act, and the ac-
tress Jailed TO make the slightest impress
sion upon her audience. The play came TO
an end in the midst of ominous silence.
Rachels failure was unaccountable, a
complete surprise to her manager and
equally a surprise to herself.
There was but ono thing to DO done-to
prevent If possible the publication of the
failure.
NJ Nodel, the manager of the Theatre
francais, hastened at once to Jules Janin
and besought him not to lay the entire
blame upon Rachel, as he was responsible
Tor having cast her in n role which was
perhaps too difficult for so young an ac-
tress. While they were still discussing the
matter Rachel was announced. She seemed
to be greatly agitated, but, without say
ing word, simply stood before ,Ianin with
her head bowed, as a criminal before his
Judge. The great critic received her kind
ly; but, though no tried to reassure her
somewhat, he admitted that in spite of his
interest in her it would be impossible for
him TO render favorable account of the
evenings performance. Poor Rachel wept
like child, but to no effect.
After they had departed Vedel suddenly
turned to Rachel and said: Tomorrow /
announce 'Bajazet' for the next perform
ance. We will show them yet what you
can do" Rachel eagerly assented and re-
turned home.
NJ. Vedel had scarcely reached the thea
ter. however, when M. Felix, Rachels ia
ther, was announced. He had learned
from his daughter of the intended repro
duction of "Bajazet" and boldly declared
that the performance should not axe place.
II tell you, she shall not play that role
again."
And tell you, sir, that the second rep
resentation Of Bajazet' shall be announced
for the day after tomorrow, and / warn
you that If on the day of the performance
Mile. Rachel Is not In her dressing room
at O'Clock In the evening will have the
money refunded to the public, who shall
be duly informed that your daughters re-
fusal to fulfill her contract Is the cause of
this scandalous proceeding; that the esti-
mated receipts of this performance shall ba
deducted from her salary and that she shall
not again set foot on the French stage I'M
til she has consented to play 'Bajazet' a
second time.'
"You can do as you please, but she shall
not act" And SO saying NJ. Felix took his
departure.
Vedel Immediately wrote to Rachel and
entreated her not to listen to her father and
risk her entire future success upon mere
question Of pride. AT ] o'clock In the
morning he received the following note,
written in pencil on little scrap Of paper:
How can disobey your When we love peo-
pie, we do everything to please them. Your
devoted RACHEL
Jules Janin's criticism of Rachel was
cruel in the extreme "How could one ex-
pect," he said, "that frail, delicate child
with her labored breathing, to represent
the powerful lioness Roxane in Racine's
tragedy of 'Bajazet? Mile. Rachel no
sooner appeared than the audience realized
she would prove impotent in the role. 1t
was not the expected Roxane that they be-
held, but poor young girl lost in serag-
lio"
In spite of this adverse criticism, the re-
hearsals for the second performance of
"Bajazet" continued. The important
night arrived. Vedel anxiously visited
Rachel in her dressing room, where he
found her already dressed and looking SUI
perb in her rich oriental draperies.
"Well, my child, how do you feel9' he
asked.
"All right" she answered, smiling 81
had desperate fight at home, but l con-
quered, and am here. think it will go
better tonight"
"You are not afraid, thenF"
"No."
"You have read Janin's criticismsP"
eyes He treated mo nicely. He has
made me furious. am all the more sure
of success tonight.
The result of the second performance of
"Bajazet" was veritable triumph for
Rachel. She could not have had more
perfect revenge. Her preceding perform
ances, in which she had gained renown as
the great tragedienne of the day, all paled
before this last, which surpassed every
thing that she had yet done. Again and
again she was called before the curtain.
The storm of applause that greeted her
bordered on delirium. Bouquets fell about
her in perfect avalanche. Such scene
had never before been witnessed In the
Theatre Francois.
Vedel, wild with delight, FASTENED to
Rachel after the play was over. He found
her dressing room, which had been empty
after the first performance, now crowded
with people. 1t was with difficulty that
the great actress was able to reach him.
When she came near him, she threw her
arms about his neck and whispered in his
ear: "Thank you. l knew all the time
that you were right"-San Francisco
Chronicle.