New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-09
RJILDING WITH A HISTORY.

Neither In proportion to its fame nor in proper
ton to the great opera house of Paris was the
Theatre Francais imposing building. 1t ad-
Joined the Palais Royal. The auditorium not
of great sze but we'll adapted for seeing and
hearing and was comfortable any theatre In
Paris, where anybody who wants to see a play is
supposed to be willing to sacrifice good deal of
comfort for the purpose. a theatre with good
seats good air and good temperature. such as New
Workers expect. is unknown in Paris.
II different with the dressing rooms at the
Francais however. They were large and luxurious.
and many OF them were adorned with valuable
works of art. There valuable works of art,
indeed all the House of Moliere 1t had
large gallery of pictures and statues OF actors and
dramatic writers, which overtowed upon the stairs
and probably the finest collection OF such
works to be found anywhere. There was special
gallery of busts of notable persons connected with
the drama The greenroom also contained many
notable works. did the public foyer. There
was likewise a library of great value and the
archives of the Comedie Francaise. which were
kept in the building, were Of worth not to be ex-
actly estimated. and contained manuscripts abso-
utely priceless
The burned building opened a theatre in
l1S9 and was called the Varieties Aniusants- The
Comede Francase was then at the theatre since
known n the Odeon. 1t may not be out of place
just here remark that although the two terms
are now frequently used Indiscrimnately. the The
atre Francais is the the4Ire ana th9 Soioe IN 1ha
Coincide in 1884, and Talma, who was the greatest
French
others to the Varieties Afterward. in more peace
full times, the rest of the company came, 100
Many changes and improvements had been nlaue III
the building since then. There were important ones
in 1864 and there have been others since.
But 1t is a building that the Iheatrs
Francais was held sacred. 1t was as the HOUSE OF
Moliere. the home of the Coincide Francase. found
ed by the great dramatst himself and continued Tor
more than two hundred years. Molieres company
had been in existence for twelve years when II
came Paris. in loss. There We're two thearlcai
companies in Paris already. With one or the COM
panies there not much trouble, but the otheT
was a dangerous rival The rivalry did not end
company united with Molere's. But the rival COM
pany still seemed to have rather the better or III, as
1t had the services OF the most popular actress OF
the day. Mile. Champmesle but she after a time
deserted to the Moere company, and In lbSO the
King ordered that the companies should unite Since
then there has never been on the French stage any
Among its actors have been Moere. Adrienne
Lecouvreur. Talma, Mile. Mars. Rachel, Frederick
Reichemberg Sarah Bernhardt. and. in general. by
far greater part OF the prominent French actors
who have lived since It was founded
To be a member of the Coincide FRANCHISE In the
The building owned by the Government, which
gave the use os 1t. free, to the company, and
younger members of the company receive salaries
and the older associates of the company.
The term Is Societatres. These are chosen
from the younger members as fast as vacancies
occur in their numbers, the younger or them hold
ing only fraction OF share each ana the older
ones a whole share. The associates receive salaries
besides all this each member OF the company re
ceives special sum every time ne appears This
system has great effect in making good actors
willing play small parts. A committee of the
associates helps the director who is appointed by
the Government. in the MANAGEMENT of the theatre.
When they are too old TO play the actors retire and
able that French actor should nave an ambition
to become q sooaetairs Of the Coincide Francaise.