New-York tribune., 1905-01-29
LA MASSIERE.
The Most Successful Comedy of the
Paris Theatrical Season
Paris January IL

;nclssve Partisan contemporary critic after a
rsriod Of six years spent in the widest turmoil
= ,,iitics. has at last returned. like the Pro6;-
=, son. 70 letters and in La Massiere" the
s,or-act comedy successfully produced at the
-Dsnaissance Theatre. has given ashe best and
,ortsinly the most wholesome play OF the pres
-, season. la Msssiere" just misses being
,,sste-piece. II is constructed OF strong, simsse
,-sse-ials: 81 holds attention from beginning 10
~. II presents q picture of Paris studio life.
!, as vivid colors SIS the same captivating phase
!, existence was portrayed by Du Maurier I'm
.sr-rhy." and II IS, moreover, up 10 date" The
,,s Ia Massiere." is the technical term used
= ,le grest Partisan studies for girl art pupils
.o- the student selected as a sort OF monitress
!. regulate the every day work os the estab-
ssbroert. 20 collect the fees and take charge
: ,,s common funds--'la ulasse"-services for
-b,cb she receives gratuitous tuition
a yrles Llernaitre Is keen observer Of human
,s,prs some years ago, while passing sum-
~ vacation st Trouville. he saw q young
vromsn suffering from tuberculosis. and this
s,,rr.Sred 70 him his play. lie Marriage Blanc"
,gserein a philsnthrcpist marries the invalid
rsrl merely 20 procure the illusion OF few
savs, happiness for one on the verge OF death.
- Jules Lernaitre used TO attend the sittings
. .le French houses OF Parliament and met
en- ambitious young Deputy. with good hearted
,,,, bopelessly provincial wife. and this sug-
,-.,,ss .he clever Play. lie Depute Leveau."
5.-so,sI observations at Geneva IN the house
,,ls of q poor professor with a CULVER full Of
-rsr-v daughters resulted IN 'L'Ainee," a pro-
.ouus study Of woTldly weddings. which made
,,-,Hiart hit az the Gymnase IN the spring OF
1895
M Jules Lerra.tre lives IN Paris near TO the
.caserrv julien. where young female pupils
stu6g art, snd the dramatist was recently i'm
,resss5 BY the stirring life problems presented
hers. IN the Academy Julien, so familiar TO
American art students OF both sexes. NJ jules
rernsirre perceived an industrious bevy OF about
forty girls. varying in ages from sixteen 70
twsaty-hve. no each day are admiringly gath
sres about 3 Partisan masteT-such a one. for
instance, as Carolus-Duran, Jules Lefeovre.
souguereau, Roll, Gabriel Ferrier. or some other
n the great painters whose heads are grizzled
~ xhitened by hfty-hYe odd summers OF expe-
,3snee and whose velvet Jackets illuminated
,rstb SCARLET rosettes OF the Legion OF Honor.
7ls Young pupils are devoted TO their master,
vho oorrecfs their tasks, and the precocious
rifl artists gossip glibly while drawing after
living models. M. Jules Lemaitre. taking this
sight to heart asked himself: What woplo
happen II the nfty-hve-yesr-old master should
ssH n love with one Of his fair pupisT TO
screw the situation up 70 the requisite thearlcal
uitch NJ Jules Lemaitrs imagined the master
with 3 mature wife. acrimonious and Jealous
snd with son OF twenty-five, also painter
r-hs should become his rival 1t is with these
INGREDIENTS that II. Jules Lemaitre constructed
the new play, which has won such extraordinary
success n Paris, and which VIII be given ne1t
season IN New-York ana n London.
The .rnaksiere" IN the Justinien studio is JUL
ere Dlpuy. Junette is q pure minded, eoura-
rsoux. hard working girl OF twenty-four She
sss uudoubted talent she is Virtuous. is fun OF
urorise, and is exceedingly attractive, Julette
81 the ulegifirnate daughter Of sn army ofhcer
she already earns a living for herself, Tor her
Nttle brother and for her mother. who also gains
3 fsw francs daily by embroidering handkeT-
chfefs Mszere, the venerable painter-the char
scter is admirably fmpersonated by Lucien
f5lftry-takes great interest IN Juliette. He
protects her. he procUres work for her. he even
BUYS some OF her sketches saying that they are
for a rich American amateur" His feelings
toward her are complicated and difficult TO ana
we. Il Is love chastsned by respect and tenn
pe-ed by sort Of paternal affection. In this
first act ze find a delightful picture OF studio
lie The girl pupils 81 their gray artist blouses
are at work Juliette aids them. Mazere ex-
sElines the drawings and. pausing for q moment
beloTe each easel, pEOnounces in stereotyped
phrases q praise or Of blame. The lesson ends
NsEere and Juliette remain alone. They talk OF
their work, Of art and OF the studio. II is
beautiful idyl of January and June. Suddenly
NTne. Aazere calls at the Justinien studio tor
her husband. 70 accompany him during his off,
cisl visits 70 the members OF the Academy. for
he Is & candidate for the institute. "Ahr' ex-
claims the wife. who is fifty years old and ter
ribly 3salous you are not aioneF' With frigid
nsitre.'-the young massiere leaves the room.
Ate. the departure OF AIazere and his wife
Julette returns 10 the studio TO get her port
folio which she has forgotten. She finds
jacques, AIazAre's son, there. and the two young
artists chat gsyly together, exchanging frankly,
according 20 studio custom, their views about
pictures, colors crayons. painters and on artist
NE generally. but there IS no Irritation nor any
1luEioa whatever 10 love affairs. This IS
charming exposition" and IL is at once seen
nat drama is 10 ensue between the three per
sonages, Mszere. jacques ana Juliette.
Tie second act. the best OF the four. presents
@e private studio Of Mazere. Juliette comes
" consult the master. Nine Mazere is angry
''suse Julette dsres call al the private studio.
Nmea Is IN Mazere's house, and, without the
Ao~ieoge q her husband, forbids Julette TO
'spesl her visits. Mazere is perfectly happy
Hsa he can talk by the hour with the frank.
's'G' highly intelligent Juliette, whose wit and
yuosnsnt form q brilliant contrast with the
1@'FoF minded tenets and crumples Of his ven
s''e but Jealous wife. whom he married for
0'e II country village years ago, and whose
']0s!seat practical qualities enabled the couple
weather many stormy days 1T is perfectly
1cIious for you 10 be so Jealous" exclaims
4-e'e. Jealousy is nothing more nor less
an true love" retorts Mime. Mazere. Mon
Se answers Mazere. ito be Jealous is to love
.-st as one hates" on" continues Mime.