New-York tribune., 1898-11-21
THREE NEW PARIS PLAYS.
LUGrBRIoUs SCENES IN "sTRrENsEE."


Paris Nov S-Three remarkable plays
have been produced in Paris in the last week
"Struensee." at the Coincide Francais Judith
Renaudin," ut the Theatre Antoine and Papa
la-vertu." AT the Ambigu
'Struensee." the fvc-aCt drama in verse by
the octogenarian poet Paul Meurce Is superbly
mounted at the Theatre Francas. 1t Is ad-
mirably acted. and affords NJ. lie Bargy an op
portunity to reveal himself by his interpreta-
ton Of the one intensely dramatic situation OF
the drama the scene where the King dies. just
as. with superhuman effort he has succeeded
in signing the death warrant of his Minister.
It In this death scene enthusiastically acclaimed
each night by the audience. which relieves
"Struensee' from the melancholy monotony OF
fits 1--WE acts. and prevents IL from being n fall
ure. Paul Meurice, Who at the age OF seventy
nine, makes his debut dramatic poet at the
Theatre Francais has passed his life in inti-
mate companpnship with Victor Hugo and
has in several instances elaborated with Alex
andre Dumas ns. VI. Meurice has imbued
Struensee. the German physician who was for
several years the practical ruler Of Denmark.
with a romanticism suggestive of Ruy BIAS.
The career Of Struensee who. at the age Of
fhirty-f1ve was heheaded for high treason in
1772. supplies ready made plot ths; has at
best-known drama relating to the German ad
venturer is 0y Michael Beer. for whom his
brother Meyerbeer. composed the musical ac
compartment
Paul Meurce has followed the main lines of
history. but has not slavishy copied his prede
oessors The prologue introduces no less a per-
eonage thar Noltaire, who at village inn. gives
the young Struensee. then on his way to Copen-
hagen 10 become secretary To Count Rantzau,
some excellent advice The German doctor
talks with his fellow traveller and expands his
views OF liberty and justice. but does not learn
until after his departure that his chance com
panion was the great French philosopher. Vol
taire is skilfully portrayed by Barral. actor
recently engaged at the Theatre Francois. In
the first act Struensee is found established at
the Court Of King Christian VII of Denmark,
who, owing 10 his excesses. has become physi-
cal and mental wreck. Struensee, introduced
by Rantzau the Prime Minister, has already be-
come his masters rival. and. being attached as
physician TO the young Queens household. OBJ
tains great ascendancy over her. He has i'm
bued the Queen with his ideas of liberal govern
ment. and has also conceived a deep love for
her and his affection is returned
The Kings doctors confess their inability to
calm the pain which causes their master to
palace Rantzau allows Struensee to attempt to
cure the King in the belief that his failure to
do so will destroy his influence at Court. The
young German doctor however. to the astonish
ment Of every one effects the cure and becomes
more powerful than ever He replaces Rantzau
as Prime Minister and for two years rules
supreme.
The second act contains a touching fove scene
between Struensee and the Queen. All does not
90 we'll however. with the phlanthropic young
statesman. for the serfs that he has liberated
break out into a revolution. which threatens to
sweep away both dynasty and government The
masked ringleader OF riot is brought in. lie IS
no other than Count Rantzau who had organ
ized an uprising against his former protdge.
Rantzau tells Struensee that his love for the
Queen is no longer a secret Struensee denies
anything more than profound admiration for
her virtues. and at last promises to come masked
90 the meeting of the cOnspirators. which is 10
lie held that night in the ruins OF an old castle.
In the third act the meeting Of the Conspir-
s,ors affords magnificent stage effects. Sruen-
see disguised by his mask and attire makes a
stirring appeal. declaring that if the young
liberal-minded Minister is really guilty of the
crimes and selfish ambition with which he is
accused he merits deah, doubly so If it be true
that he is the Queens lover In that case"
concludes the masked orator. "he must be
killed" and he demands Who will undertake
the task?" The peoples representatives. how
ever. know that If anything happens 10 Stru-
ensee they will fall under the tyrannical power
Of Rantzau Amid the excitement the pre-
vang opinion is expressed that "Struensee
must not he murderer; Struensee removes his
mask and declares that he would Kill himself II
the accusations We're true. The conspiracy
among the people is thus averted.
But Rantzau enters into another plot with the
yobles. and succeeds 50 well tina; false charges
are brought against Struensee. In the fourth
act he is driven from power, and i'm the absence
Of the Queen is condemned to death by the Su-
Jreme Court. II IS here that the famous seen"
takes place between Struensee and the dying
King. VINO summons the fallen Minister into his
presence to wreak upon him his furious jealousy
and hatred. Struensee. alarmed for his patient
and fearing that the violent paroXy SIN may re-
suit IN death seeks vainly to calm him King
Christian, about 10 sign the death warrant. falls
senseless. The Court physicians fail to bring
him out of the swoon. Struensee. although
aware that in saving the Kings life he is caus-
ing his own death. restores him to conscious
ness.
In the last act RantZau offers TO allow Struen-
see 20 escape out Of the country. Struensee re-
fuses He is determined to remain and die. be
cause. although ne had failed 10 accomplish the
reforns he had planned his death would tend to
ripen them and insure their being ultimately
carried out. Besides in his opinion. his death
would preserve the Queens name unsullied. He
asks two favors-one IS 10 he allowed 10 see the
Queen for the last time. without her being made
acquainted with anything that has happened in
her absence and the other is that ne he shot in
stead Of beheaded. The interview with the
Queen takes place after masked bali given at
the pa lace in honor Of her return. Just before
the curtain ta!ls the Queen learns the truth from