New-York tribune., 1901-03-31
THE REVIVAL OF "PATR1E. "
THE MOST MAGNIFICENT DISPLAY YET
PRODUCED AT THE THE
ATRE FRANCAIS
Paris. March 20.

a. ,o,, regarded here as the masterpiece Of the
veteran dramatist Victorien Sardou. who IN
1869 in graceful acknowledgment OF the source
from which he drew his facts. dedicated his
earliest historic melodrams TO John Lothrop
Motley author OF The Rise of the Dutch Re
public" is the most important occurrence that
has taken aace at the new Theatre Francais.
II is needless TO relate the plot Of a play so
well known in the United States as "Patrie,
but there are some features connected with its
production at the Comedie Francaise which ap-
peal 70 theatre goers all over the world. for
.Patrie" is not merely an historical play. but is
play with a history II on March II. lS69'
the Theatre de Ia Porte Saint-Martin that
"Patrie" was first produced. but it was not until
last night that IT was given for the first time
nt the Theatre Francas, That is TO say, thirty
two years. almost day for day. elapsed before
one If the best works OF contemporary French
dramatic literature found its way from the
Theatre de Ia Porte Saint-Martin. on the boule-
wards 10 the Maison de Moliere in the Rue de
RicheIieu which should have been its original
destination. Moreover, had IT not been for a
trivial incident il is extremely probable that
the play would have remained still longer OUT
side the repertory of the Coincide. a few years
since a young woman at the Conservatory was
about TO compete for the prizes in tragedy by
reciting passages from the character Of Dolores
in ''Patrie" N. Ambrose Thomas. then direc-
tor Of the Conservatory. replied that the rules
made this impossible, because candidates for
prizes can only recite from plays Of the regular
repertory Of the Theatre Francais. or from
works that have been acted within ten years
at one Of the theatres which receive government
subsidies That is a ridiculous regulation,
replied Alexandra Dumas fills; lit is absurd that
the pupils of the Conservatory should not pe
allowed select their parts from one Of the
finest dramas Of time" Jules Claretie who
was also present member Of the jury, said:
why. il is a very simple matter. The Comedie
FRANCHISE need only 10 play Patrie,' and / will
see II that this is DONE" But things move
slowly in administrative circles in France, and
Il was not until last year that Jules Claretie.
administrator general of the Theatre Francois.
was able TO carry out his promise.
The rehearsals of "Patrie" were in hand when
the theatre destroyed by fire, for it had
been the intention 10 make 'Patrie' the great
attraction at the Theatre Francais during the
worlds fair ~ 1900 On the afternoon OF the
fire It so happened that the original manuscript
of 'Patrie.' and several rare works. engravings
and colored prints together with miniature
models Of the scenery and situations, were in NJ.
Claretie's library at the theatre. They were.
fortunately. saved by attendant, but the
superb costumes and scenery intended for the
revival Of "Patrie' were burned. Attempts
made during the migrations Of the Come
die Trancaise TO undertake the production Of
sardou's masterpiece, but the stages OF the va
rious theatres where the comedians temporarily
played were all deemed too small
Another curious instance in regard TO Pa trie'
is that the actors who have hitherto played the
part Of Karloo van der Moot have gone crazy and
died in a madhouse. Francis Berton who orig
mated the character at the first representation
Of ''Patrie'' in 1863 became hopelessly insane
nne evening on the stage while acting at the
Theatre de la Porte Saint-Martin. Then Marais.
the actor who took the role Of Karloo at the
. revival Of "Patrie" at the Porte Sant-Martin in
1896 also died in a fit Of violent insanity few
wears later.
The mise-en-scene the costumes the scenery.
historical furniture pictures tapestries and i'm
posing fguration with which "Patrie' is pro-
3uoed exceed anything yet attempted at the
Theatre Francais. There eight tableaus.
each of which is a marvel OF artistic painting
and arrangement. The market place OF the
veille Boucherie. where the wretched Dutch
prisoners are brought before the Spanish pro-
vost, is extremely picturesque The rich sober
tones OF the home OF Count Rysoor. with su-
perb tapestry. massive plate, and carving are
reproduced from Flemish pictures OF the six
teenth century. The sombre splendor OF the
palace inhabited by the terrible Duke of Alva
is most effective. is also the famous Hotel
De Vile and the view OF the high town OF Brus-
IN sells. with the towers OF Saint-Gudule standing
out against the cold, gray sky. The procession
OF soldiers and the funeral march as the Dutch
prisoners solemnly led to the stake; the
medieval terms. the priests and the church dig
nitaries reciting prayers: the roll Of the muf1ed
erurs, constitute the most magnificent display
ever witnessed the stage of the Theatre
Frsncais.
The acting Of the play is as perfect as the
most thorough and painstaking rehearsals can
make II. but as / happened TO have been pres
ent at the revival OF ''Patrie" at the Theatre de
is Porte Saint-Martin in 1856 comparisons nat
orally suggest themselves. and IL seems 10 me
that the acting at the Porte Saint Martin was
better than what last night at the The
ttre Francais- Dumaine was a more trenchant
Alva than Paul Mounet Mile Teissamdier
made a more lifelike Dolores than the graceful
but rather too modern and too 'frou-frou" Mile
Branoes- Mounet-Sully is a Rysoor OF unsur-
passed dignity and melancholy, but this is GER
tainly not one OF his best roles
Through the courtesy OF NJ Sardou it was
my good fortune 20 be In the theatre during one
~ the finishing rehearsals The auditorium was
anlighted, and with the exception OF the sly
rows OF orchestra stalls nearest the stage tba
seats were covered with a large canvas Garnet
sardou stood in the centre aisle near the staga
snd directed everything. down TO the most mi
nute details The willy little Academician vora
dark overcoat, upon which were stains O,
white plaster and paint He had a white silk
handkerchief tied loosely about his neck, and on
bis head was black velvet Tam o. Shanter On
september next Sardou will be seventy wears
Did He is still active and vigorous His re-
semoance 10 Napoleon was most striking as he
gave his orders. with crisp, harsh voice and a
tfCrRg0Tlal q