Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-06
THE TIL EATE r..
Nine. Bernhardt's Farewell.

An audience that taxed the seating ca
pacity and occupied much OF the standing
room gathered at the Belasco Theater last
evening to bid farewell to Nine. Sarah
Bernhard and her troupe Of French play
ers That the curtain did not rise on the
first act until nearly or quite o'clock was
due to the fact that like performance
had been. given in Baltimore during the
afternoon. but the delay and lack OF suf-
ficient rest detracted in no measure from
the spirit and strength with which Nine.
Bernhardt and her troupe rendered the
second act of Hamlet the third act of
Camille" the second act from Il Aigion'
and the second act from "Frou Frou.'
II Il was desired to demonstrate the
marvellous versatility which Is the just
basis of Nine. Bernhardt's worldwide rep
utation the composite bill was an admirable
selection. Practically the whole gamut OF
human emotions was typifed In the re-
markably artistic representations.
As to Shakespeares masterpiece. It may
be Justly said that Hamlet represents TO
an American audience tradition. dis
tfnct histrionic conception. and the French
Hamlet-the Bernhard Hamlet--fs not con-
vincing. Artistically complete In every de-
tail of voice. pose, movement, elocutionary
excellence, in Nine. Bernhardts impersona-
ton there is absolutely no relief to the
overma stering depression of the meian-
choly Dane" .,
In Camille we have the divine Sarah. =
The art of the eminent French actress Is
most powerfully exemplff1ed I'm depicting the
deepest, flercest human passions. This Is
her domain. There has been much interest
manifested in this country or late IN tne
possibilities of the higher elocution. Byron
designated French verse as "Monotony IN
wire" and as such, In large measure, 1t
is: but Nine. Bernhard at all times speaks
her lines in such "a way as to make the
sound of it delicious. Everybody has seen
Camille and many sorts OF Camille; 1t Is
French classic and enlists the best powers
of the great actress. 1t is lot the earth,
earthly" but nothing is lacking. There Is
eloquence Of deep grief, of tenderness ana
of spiritual remorse.
In L'Aiglon, Nine. Bernhardt has We
hicle In which to emphasize her marvellous
versatility. Charm. appealing grace, spirit
and power are all present, and unite to
illustrate point of histrionic excellence as
nigh perfection as one can well imagine.
Mr.. Krauss was superb as Flambeau-the
part rendered famous by the Incompatible
Coquelin. The emotional analogy between
Frou Frou and Camille from an artistic
viewpoint was evident to all. Whether these
farewell performances really mean "adieu'
to American admirers and not a merely per-
functory Eau revoir." is perhaps matter
Of speculation, but the four acts given last
evening will lfnger in the memory of those
present as an exquisite representation Of
the splendid powers of the eminent French
actress.
In view of her early return to France 1t
IS not without interest to note the efforts
that have for long time been made by
the friends of Nine. Bernhardt to secure
for her the coveted distinction Of the rib
bon of the French Legion Of Honor. Among
the subsidized theaters of the French, the
Theatre Francois ranks as the standard
playhouse under government supervision.
Both Bernhard and CoQuelin were asso-
ciates of the Theatre Francois. but left the
theater against the directors wishes, and
this fact 1t is supposed has up to this time
been made the excuse for delay in confer
ring a distinction of which the whole world
agrees Nine. Bernhard Is Hminently wor-
thy Her admirers in the French capital
claim that 1t is more than probable that
the ministry will see fit to decorate Nine.
Bernhard at the national celebration OF
the 18th of July, time, according TO
French customs. when honors are distrib-
uted to those who have achieved great
things in the several channels of human
endeaVor.