New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-08
- LADVERSAIRE.'
The Most Successful French Comedy
of the Season.
Paris. October 20.

from Partisan critics more enthusiastic COM
mendation than any theatrical production since
Rostand's "Cyrano de Bergerac." II is a light,
graceful play Of simple construction and logical
action. saturated with delicate humor, irony and
wit. The dialogue is natural. familiar and never
degenerates into defamation. It portrays with
exquisite color sense the vanities and foibles of
typical stratum of mundane society under the
Third Republic
The plot may be related in a few words.
Maurice Darlay is a highly cultured lawyer Of
considerable wealth His wife Marianne is a
charming woman. The couple are in love with
each other and their happiness would be COM
plete were it not that Marianne IS exceedingly
ambitious. She Graves political fame: she aspires
TO social distinction She seeks TO arouse her
husband from his literary and artistic recrea-
tons. and urges him to plunge into the arena OF
politics and become Cabinet minister. Maurice
is, on the contrary, a quiet. observing philos-
opher without worldly ambition, and shrinks
from notoriety and publicity. He is fond Of art
and is an intelligent collector of bric-a-brac. His
highest ambition is 10 complete g literary work
that he has undertaken. His delight is TO ran
sack odd corners Of Paris 70 find a bronze statu-
cite for his library table. He revels in leisure
and makes a liberal use of his fortune. He
adores his wife. who. however. becomes the
enemy-radversaire-of the household happiness
on account Of her worldly ambition Marianne
asks: Why don't you continue your career as
lawyer. which began brilliantly with your
eloquent defence and the acquittal Of Chan
traine, who fred revolver shots at his wife and
one Of her admirers ," oh replies Maurice,
Il have no vocation for it. Besides, I hate to
pore over briefs and documents relating to other
peoples business and which do not interest NE
IN the least Nonsense, Maurice a man Of
your talents ought to have some higher am
bronzes and pictures. Why don't you defend
unfortunate persons-widows, orphans?' oh.
yes! widows and orphans. During ten years
only pleaded once for an orphan. and it was then
because he had murdered his father and his
mother"
Marianne. greatly to her husbands dissatis-
faction, freQuents the salon OF her friend Nine.
Breautin. the fashionable intriguing wife Of a
prominent Deputy who is always about TO be-
come "a minister in the next Cabinet" Breautin
relates how a fellow Deputy named Limeray.
accused Of grave financial corruption. has been
arrested. Breautin and Marianne try TO induce
Maurice 10 take UP the defence of Limeray.
which is the sensational cause Of the day. and
thereby secure renOwn and attain q portfolio
in Breautin's perpetual Cabinet Of Tomorrow
Maurice refuses, but recommends Lineray TO
confde his brief to Langlade. a rising young
barrister. Langlade pleads with extraordinary
thereby becomes the hero Of the hour.
There is a delicious scene at an afternoon
reception at the fashiona bic political salon Of
Nine. Breautin Langade makes a triumphal
entry and becomes the centre Of admiration.
Marianne is present, and gets interested in
Langlade who seeks an opportune moment to
declare his passion to her. Marianne listens,
but with delicate dignity refuses to accept his
devotion. Maurice comes 10 escort his wife
and
passes in review with amusing comment the
persons present He becomes disguised with the
empty vanity Of this teacup political salon where
Ca binets are constituted where regulations are
ruined. and where divorces originate" Maurice
hears ruuaors Of the intimacy Of Marianne and
the brilliant lawyer Langlade. He tells Mari
anne that she must bid farewell to this intriguing
society. and that when the proper moment comes
they viii bid their hosts goodby with all ap-
propriate courtesy. @-arianne becomes fu-
rious. Maurice has not tanned but. on the con-
trary. has excited. the adversary Finally,
in this exaltation and perversity Of mind,
she succumbs TO Lsnglade's advances Subse-
cuently al meet at the country seat OF Maui
rice and Marianne. Maurice is not sure Of
Marianne's inhdeIty. Marianne realizes the Sc
robustness Of her act and is eager TO atone, but
it is too late. Maurice, in powerful scene
wrings from his wife a confession Of her fault
there is \ terrible chasr which separates them
Marianne's mother Nine. Grecourt, an excellent .
kind hearted woman ignorant Of what has hap
pened. appears and finds Marianne in tears
What is the natter she asks. Maurice gen
erousIy replies that they have quarrelled; that
he (Maurice) has been unfaithful; that life to
gether IS no longer possible, and that Marianne
wants TO obtain divorce. The good hearted
mother protests. She pleads the cause Of Mau-
rice. She points out that. owing TO education.
custom and sex, husbands are less rigidy
chained than wives. For husband 10 err is
not nearly so bad as for the wife to fall from
grace Nearly all Of US poor women have had
these sad. bitter experiences" Suddenly the
good, notherly Nine. Grecourt carried away by
her feoIirgs adds. All but if it were the wife
that is guilty. II would be very different. The
wife is the guardian Of the household honor F
She ought never &c be pardoned For such a
woman the only course left open would be to
reioin her lover and, if possible to live happily
with hirnt She is forced to exile, and all women
think as I do: only they are not always willing
To saw So" Maurice sadly turning TO Marianne
after her mother has left the room. says: You
see II is necessary for us to separate; and.
tending his hand in final farewell. exClains.
I'VE can no longer live face to face. Adieu,
II is your own mother who has pronounced
Judgment With these words the curtain falls f
The play is superbly acted Lucien Guitry in
The part OF Maurice Dariay has found the great
est character in his repertory- Nile. Marthe
Branoes renders with well bred. nervous feeling .
the ambitious woman Of fashion. There is in .
Nine Breautin excellent type Of the in
triguing woman whose husband. the Deputy. is .
amusing persoaage in Chanraine. who, having
49, --,a4 arT arouirre9 for F~sue m