The Washington times., 1901-12-08
PLOT OF THE NEW
BELASC0 PLAY.
TOLD FOR THE FIRST TINE.
The Character Assigned to Mrs.
Leslie Cnrtcr-sccnes Laid in
Revolutionary Frnnce-A
Powerful Drama.

| Following the custom of present day
| New York managers in taking initial pro
| ductions away from Broadway. David Be
| lasco presents on Wednesday evening at
the National an original play. written for
Mrs Leslie Carter dealing with the prin-
cipal incidents of the life of the Countess
du Barry.
jeanette de Naubernier. known to history
as the Countess du Barry. lives today as
one of the most prominent of the petit
coat rulers of France. AS to her rise from
the gutter TO that position. where Prime
Ministers and Cardinals. on bended knees.
sought her influence, the pages of eight
eenth century French history speak for
themselves.
Absolute Secrecy Maintained.
Mr. Belasco has maintained absolute
secrecy as to situations. scenery and all
Of the details Of the play. The first pub
lished story Of the drama is as follows:
The opening shows Jeanette Mrs
Carter. who has spent her early life in
hand-to-mouth existence in the slums
of Paris as milliner's apprentice. spend
ing her meagre income on ribbons and
geWgaws. She has the good fortune to
come under the notice OF n captain of
The Kings guards who is infamed with a
true affection for the fascinating damsel
and tries TO win her consent to a life in
the country with him. He. in the warmth
and fidelity Of his passion. intends to
marry her hut she. with her knowledge OF
men and the customs of the licentious
times. dreams Of nothing but the ordinary
arrangement. ''passer son temps a Sc
divertir.' jeanette. vacillating and tickle
when away from her lover. is induced by
promises OF life Of ease and luxury to
become the bait of one Of the most ia
nous gambling dens Of Paris. where her
beauty and hewitt ichng ways serve to hold
as patrons the rich young bloods and old
roues who other wise would realize from
their continued lcsses that they were be-
ing made the victims of unfair play
Coming in daily contact with the men
of the beau monde. Jeanette quickly ac-
quires the external polish of grande
dame. and while attending the opera one
evening her unusual attractiyeness draws
the attention Of the King. Louis XIV.
who with his never falling weakness for
the rustic Of a skirt or the curve of
corsage. Immediately seeks her out, and.
as the play develops. finally installs her
in the palace giving her the title OF the
Countess du Barry. Here high and low
alike beg her favor as the stepping stone
To power. II seems as though. through
all Du Barry's life Some evil genius
hovers over her and fight as she will to
get away from the associations OF gam
bling house and palace. circumstances
foNe her every action.
Sent Into Exile.
Her guardsman lover. who. in the blind
ness Of his affection. still believes in her
chastity and devotion. is sent into exile
on trumped up charge. The object is to
place him where he can have no communi-
cation with Madame du Barry She. judg-
ing him unfaithful. gives herself up to the
most fanciful and groiesque extrava-
gances in order TO forget the only man
for whom she ever has had a true affec-
tion. and also to obtain relief from the
Jealous espionage Of the King and his syc-
Dphants. The climax is reached In the
Reign OF Terror. when, her protector be-
ing dead, her lover Is brought back from
sxile. The rabble have been enrsged at the
luxurious magniicence In which the fav-
orite of the King has lived while they
were suffering for bread. and In order to
l."he n'i pam hOi' polshdht' anu htI
disgrace more marked, delegate the man
She loves. now a citizen of Republican
France. the man who has tried by every
means in his power to wean her away
from the deprayity Of Paris, to serve the
warrant from the committee of safety.
Their decision is reached. and the curtain
tails as the Countess du Barry. In the
rough tumbril hooted and jeered by the
D0pulace. is borne away 10 the guillotine.
Around these situations Mr.. Belasco has
woven a thrilling story and. with the cum
ling of the master stage director he is.
has worked every detail into an excel
ent setting for Mrs. Carter, who, in the
.haracter of the Countess du Barry, is
llways in evidence
In his desire TO be accurate in every
particular. II is common report that Mr..