New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-12-16

may not be the most original but he is certainly
the most audacious of the younger dramatists
who have come 20 light In the last few years
/ ara new play by the author OF La Carrfere'
Lies Transatlantiques' and lie Faubourg'
calls for critical attention. "Sylvie," notwith-
standing palpable defects is certainly a
success here in Paris. with an Incompatible
actress like Rejane to interpret II and with
specially educated pleasure seeking public to
applaud it, but 1t is doubtful whether it would
be accepted by a New-York audience.
'Syve" is new departure. Besides being
picture of the life and manners of polished so
cety, it purports TO be a psychological character
study anaIyzing intense passions. but all the
while retaining the light and graceful form of
the vaudeville-never descending into farce or
encroaching upon melodrama. The Paris critics
have christened. the new brand of vaudeville
created by NJ Abel Hermant lie vaudeville
iibertin." The young author has grated upon
the classic vaudeville the erotic perversity OF
Casanova and the anecdOtaI writer's OF the
eighteenth century. The fascinating acting of
Rejane gilds the deprar;ty that the public
has proclaimed the play success. but conscien-
tious critics like Emile Faguet Gustave Lar
roumet and CASTOR Deschamps shake; their
heads. and think that Abel Hermant's efforts
make,for the decadence rather than the renais-
of the French stage. g."
The plot of "syIvie" begins with the destruc-
ton OF the Bastine. in 1850. and terminates in
1910 embracing the three periods Of Louis XVI
the Revolution and the Empire and thus giving
splendid opportunities for the display of cos
tunes and scenery. The plot IS Intricate Syve
is the daughter of the Comtesse de Guerlande
and Of her ardent admirer, the Chevalier de
Saint-Didier, who becomes the young girls guar
dian. Syvie has frank, open temperament,
keen intellect, and still keener curiosity. Her
guardian. the Chevaler de Saint-Didier, is a
disciple OF Jean Jacques Rousseau, and his
young ward is educated in the free principles
OF his philosophy. The Marquis de Beauvoisin,
a vain, disspated nobleman of the old school.
has married Sylvie, but after few days the
pair have separated. Sylvles guardians think
II their duty TO demonstrate with the young
couple. but they do not make much of i'm
preston on the Marquis As he is about to go
abroad on mission. he changes his mind and
resolves to take his wife with him, and 10 give
piquancy 10 the situation by abductng her.
Meanwhile Sylvie. TO crafty her curiosity. has
gone TO Paris. She was there on July H. when
the Bastie was taken. She wanted to see
revolution. and she one. Attired in her rich
Court dress she was attacked by the mob.
Her dress was torn to shreds. and she would
have been killed except for the timely arrival
Of a young "vainquer de la Bastille' named
Henri. who rescues Sylvie from the harpies who
threaten her. Henri who turns out 10 be her
foster brother. brings her back to Versailles The
Marquis invites the young man TO supper, and
derives a morbid sort OF amusement from the
evident growth OF tender sentiment between
Henri and Sylvie. But after the fatigues OF the
day and the supper Henri falls asleep. and the
Marquis goes of. taking his wife with him Four
years later sylvie comes back. divorced from the
Marquis, who is in exile at coblentz. Sylyie,
however, retains the domain Of Beauvoisin. much
20 the disnlay Of two men-Taillefer. the Mar
quis's steward, and Nicolas, farmer-who have
plotted TO obtain possession of the estate Mic
olas through his influence with the mob. forces
sylvie into marriage. which is soiemnized only
by ia benediction rationale pronounced by
haphazard magistrate r.
The third act takes place IN 1909. after an In
tervai OF four years. Sylvie has become dame
d'honneur TO the Empress Josephine. sylyie has
petitioned Napoleon to recover the Beauvosin
property which is in possession OF Taillefer, the
son OF the Marqus's steward who has entered
the army and become Napoleon Taillefer.
Marshal of France and Due de Palastro. The
Emperor arranges the AFFAIR By decreeins that
Marshal TaiIisfar shall marry Sylvie. but the