New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-18
A MADHOUSE PLAY.
A MIXTURE OF GOOD AND BAD IN
ZEN FAX"


Paris January Is.
En- PAX" a grewsome nightmare in six acts
by young and ambitious author, NJ. Bruyerre,
containing flashes OF superb theatrical inspira-
ton side by side with crying faults OF dramatic
workmanship. produced Monday at the Theatre
Antoine. has become the talk OF all Paris. 1t Is
q sombre panorama Of the martyrdom OF pros
porous business man sound in mind and intel
Iect who, by the atrocious Vaccinations OF a
father-in-law and son-in-law. to conceal their
dishonesty and TO prey upon fortune which
does not rightfuIly belong 10 them, is placed in
a private insane asylum. where he undergoes
such moral torture that he at last goes really
mad. The play is acted with perfection unsur-
passed at the present moment on the French
stage The part of varambault the victim is
taken by NJ Antoine the well known founder
OF the Theatre Libre. which accomplished among
French play writer's and actors something ap-
preaching a revolution by the youthful vigor
and freshness that 1t infused into academic ira
oitions.
varambault Is the strongest, best sustained
and most carefully thought out representation
that NJ. Antoine has yet undertaken There is
no rnadhouse. bedlanlike ranting or ravtng
Each phase OF the gradual placement and de-
thronement of mans reason is delineated with
absolute simplicity. with consummate art, and
almost terrifying NJ. Gemiet supplies the coun-
terpart 10 NJ Antoines inpersonation by the
admirable manner in which he plays the role Of
DR.. CoIlas. the insanity specialist. part which
is pronounced by NJ Gustave LarrOumet the
successor OF Francisque Sarcey the theatrical
critic Of lie Temps" to be "one OF the most
vigorously drawn studies Of professional char
acter that have been put upon the stage since the
doctors OF MolIere."
NJ Gemiet is a young actor who failed TO
secure his diploma at the COnservatoire. but who
has followed the fortunes Of NJ Antoine. has
since 1892 originated no less than sixty-seven
new parts and has at last attained genuine
success. NJ. Emile Faguet, the conservative
analytical critic Of lie Journal des Debats' be-
comes enthusiastic over NJ Gemiet's interpreta-
ton OF Dr.. CoIlas and says: What nicely
pointed precision and science Of composition NJ
Gemiet concentrates in. and what harmony Of
gesture and expression has NJ Geniet impaired
to his role, It is an admirable piece OF actingr
Being unable 10 attend the first nights per-
Torrance Of En- Paix.' I proited by oppor-
tunity Of seeing this much talked Of play IN
company with NJ GuyOt, Director OF the Ma
tionaI Lunatic Asylum Of Saint anne. who was
greatly impressed by the trUthfulness OF this
extraordinary but repulsive play. The charac-
tiers in the asylum taken from life There
is an inventor bordering over his rat trap con-
trtvdnCe 70 obtain perpetual notion Inere is 2
mad pianist whose nervous fingers constantly
twitch and trenble over an imaginary keyboard
There is an explorer, driven mad by the African
sun. A mad General struts about with gold lace
and plumes giving orders for cavalry charge
Various departments OF the asylum are shown
with startling effect. There is the padded cell
and shower bath for dangerous patients There
is the recreation room, opening upon a small
garden. The bureau Of the director. with reg
listers and keepers. is put upon the stage with
realistic simplicity.
En- Paix,' title derived from the Latin term
In Pace which Partisan doctors apply 70 pri-
vate Iunatic asyluu1s has already drawn atteu-
ton to the necessity OF amending the law OF
June 80 1898 by which any person living in
France native or foreign, can be sequestered and
incarcerated in insane asylum without other
formalities than the written request Of his next
OF kin, supported by the certificate OF insanity
signed by a single member OF the Faculty OF
Medicine, and another paper. establishing the
identity OF the person TO be sequestered. The
facility with which an embarrassing person can
be effectualIy and permanently put OF the
way in France by means Of declarations Of in
sanity. whether false true, has become a
public scandal, and NJ. Bruyerre's stirring drama
Will have accomplished patriotic mission II IL
results in drastic reform Of the present ar
htrary legislation on the subject. NJ. Louis de
CsTamont has taken hold Of the matter with
characteristic energy. and bill regulating the
present methods Of wholesale recruitment OF the
private lunatic asyIums has been submitted 10
the Chamber OF Deputies.
The action OF En- Paix' Is plain and straight
forward. The opening scene presents the Of
fee Of NJ. Varambault wealthy silk merchant
who, returning home after an absence Of several
months finds that he has been robbed right and
left by his son-in-aw and his son-in-law's
family. In outburst OF passion he throws
down the steps OF his Office an employee who be-
sides having grossly insulted him. has been
caught in the act OF stealing parcels OF silk
This first act Is excellent II ia full Of life and
movement. The violence OF NJ. VarambauIt is
utilized by the family Of hts son-ln-law as the
basis for the accusations OF insanity. which end
by the miserable mans incarceration in the pri-
vate asylum OF Dr. Colas. the eminent Partisan
authority diseases OF insanity" The subse-
quent acts show the wretched life OF the in
habitants OF these "Maisons de Sante" the
cruelty OF the attendants. the hypocrisy OF the
attending physicians. and. above all he hone
Iessness OF ever leaving the asylum when once
within its walls. The eliminating scene. where
DR. CoIlas by diabolcal insinuations made 10
the examining magistrates. induces them I'M
Willingly 10 question Varambault IN such a way