New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-11

Paris, January
les Miserablas." Victor Hugo's epopee q
social misery. with its framework Of romaa.,
action, interviewer with innlue-abIe eplso5s
and Incidents, which as a novel holds to-s
most rank in the productions Of the cent.-
now drawing TO a close, was dramatized at B--z
sells in 1863 by Charles Hugo, under the perso,z
supervision OF his father. The result was
lamentable failure. Again. in 1873, when Il.
Victor Hugo apotheosis was a. its zenith, La
play was produced at the Porte Saint Mart,
Theatre in Paris. In spite Of the superb esl-I
of such accomplished actors as Dumaine, Tai
lade and Lacressonniere It aroused merely
Pickering CLEAN Of curiosity. These SUCCESSIVE
verdicts Of the public have not shaken the fair
Of NJ Paul MeUrice in the theatrical instincts u
his great master, nor have they intimidated Y
Constant COqueliH. who each year becomes mon
and more confident In the versatility Of la
talent
The drama Of Les Miserables" in It's rev
form. presented last week al the Porte Saa
Martin Theatre. comprises two parts, with p-z
logue and epilOgue. three long acts, seventies
tableaus and a continuous musical accOmpE,
ment. composed by NJ Andre Wormser. VIII !
almost transforms the work into an opera TIA
Charles Meurice, and notwithstanding The con-
mendably brief entractes, the curtain rises At
o'clock and does not finally drop until l in Ii
morning-f1ve solid hours OF acting. in which an
condensed almost every aspect and condition
social life, duly developed and analysed Fin,
ten to fifteen minutes are accorded to each pa
sion or emotion known in the repertory Of IL
human comedy. All this has been done FOR Y
Coquelin. who. with the exception Of Two inss'
nificant scenes, is on the stage during the Ehoa
of this prolific nights entertainments
NJ. Coquelin's impersonation OF Jean Va!sa
is certainly remarkable. No other actor on 10
French stage could pretend to undertake. WI
any hope Of success such an overwhelming pa
Jean Vatican, as is not the case in the noV4
is everywhere the central figure. The enI'
motif Of the drama consists OF series o. "
Jet lessons, showing how the ex-convlct 70
from the lowest depth OF brutality TO Inc U'-
of human goodness
The play may be best described oy suppos'
that an artist were suddenly called IN "
lustrate the novel He would turn over
leaves and ask, What will make the most
fective Sketches He would select the a.
of Jean Vatican at he house Of Bishop Ny"
the theft of the silver candlesticks; Jean 'A-'
saving the life of Fouchelevant, the oosl--'
trucknan, IN the presence OF the police ms'.
tor Javert; the police court, where Jean Va
reveals himself and prevents a Ju1icl4'
through mistaken identity, which "oui1
resulted in Champmathieu's convicu0n IL
stead; the death Of Famine; CoSetIe -
fountain in the forest; scaling the Val -
Picpus Convent at Paris; the attempt u 80
mail. and Jean Valjean's escape; the oaEl'--
the descent with Marius1 through The sewers
Paris: the betrothaI OF Marius and CoSe''e'
the death Of Jean Vatican. These are lH7
ures which with almost cinematoSrapA rAs--
hurry the spectator on from one episode u
other. II is a mere silhouette OF the Moves
in spite Of the admirable manner in when
put on the stage. in spite Of the superb ac'i-s
NJ CoqueIin in the first part Of the play. ~
he gets 70 be mere preachins phLanth'Y+
in spite Of NJ. CoqueIins really touching U7
scene, and in spite Of NJ Woruser's peas
music. there is no reason to reverse the R-
verdict. pronounced at Brussels IN 100.
again at Paris in 1873.
The Theatre de rAmbigu seems TO have as
ed upon a windfau in La PrrpAte.' J q
drama in five acts and four -ab.eaus W
by three authors OF diverse talents
DecourceIle, an experienced play writer.
mond LepeIletier. a brilliant journalist an
Xanrof. a keen but eccentric boulevard-s-
server Strange 10 say. this colaoorau'-
resulted in a play which not only IS cOA'
but promises to be a success. The acton
upon judicial error. Part Of the action
at the penal colony Of New-Caledonia, anu
creetIy recalls some Of the trials undeTsoA
Drey fus at Devils Island There are NJ
than three murders. two attempted mum