Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1906-04-19
sarah Bernhardt in Grand Rapids

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The engagement of Madame Sara Bern
hardt, the worlds greatest tragedienne
will present Camille at the Auditorium
Grand Rapids, on April %, is distinctly a
dramatic triumph. for the great diva has
been playing so many of the smaller cities
during this farewell tour of America, that
It is difficult to secure her bookings
| Even now the tour has extended far be-
yond the original plans and there is every
Indication that in spite of the tremendous
amount of travel and work see has done,
Madame Bernhard and her Incompatible
company of French players will play the
longest season ever recorded for any great
company. and it will be an event never to
be duplicated in the case of woman who.
at 63 years Of age, is commanding the
admiration and applause of the critical
world
The selection of Camille for presentation
was fortunate one, for the reason that it
is the most popular of the Bernhardt rep
ertoire and was the play in which she
scored her first and greatest success. 1t
was written by the younger Dumas at a
time when that writer was struggling IN
comparative obscurity, and Madame
Bernhardt's Interpretation of the part OF
lifted them both to the fore front of play
ers and writer's.
Madame Bernhard has announced pos
itively that this is to be the last tour she
will ever make in America. There is no
reason to doubt the sincerity of the an
nouncement, for she is now at an age
when most people would be in retirement,
and upon her return to France at the end
of the season, she has engagements which
will occupy her entire time for the next
six years. She will then have reached an
age which will put another transoceanic
trip, with is attending hardships of a long
tour, out of the question.
Prices for the Bernhard engagement
have been purposely set at lower figure
than given in many of the cities in which
she has played, for the reason that she
desires to give the greatest possible num-
Der of people the best opportunity to see
her. For the convenience Of out of town
patrons, as we'll as those living in Grand
Rapids, who wish to make early reserva-
tons and avoid the discomfort of standing
in line, mail order system has been put
into effect, by which reservations may be
made by addressing E. j. Sullivan, Audi
forum, Grand Rapids, enclosing remit
lance and self addressed, stamped envel-
ope for reply. The ticket will be sent out
within twenty four hours after receipt Of
the order. The regular advance sale will
open on Thursday, April l9, at 9 a. m.
The story of Camille is fairly we'll
known. 1t revolyes about the loves Of
Marguerite Gautier and Armand Duval;
the elder Duvafs interference, Marquee
rites sacrifice, leading Armand to believe
her faithless in order to save his fortune
Armand's denunciation Of her; the elder
Duval's relenting and telling Armand the
truth, and their reconciliation at Margue-
rites death bed where Armand closes
the play with the words. sleep in peace
Marquette. Much will be pardoned you
for you have loved much
The words form the keynote of the play
1t touches the heart more closely than any
story OF life ever told by the pen of the
playwright.