New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-24
CREEK DRAMA IN PARIS.
4 French Observation-Disclosures
at the Theatre Francois.

Paris. Feb. 12-The successful production OF
sophocles's tragedy "Elektra." admirably trans
lated into French Alexandrine verse by NJ Al
fred Poizat. az the Theatre Francois. marks an
important step IN the renaissance in France OF
the Greek drama. which began with the tri-
unlphal performance IN 1855 Of "CEdipe Roi" IN
the open air theatre Of Orange. There are str!k-
ing points OF similarity between Parisians and
Athen!ans. Racine was fully aware OF this
when he adapted 'Iphigenia' and 'Phedre."
French dramatIsts. following CorneiIle. con-
tlnued 70 draw their Inspirations from Sopho-
c!es Euripides Aristophanes and H2schylus but
the grand simplicity and force OF the antique
plays were perverted by complicated phrase
ology and sententious rhapsodies. The most In
corrigibIs offenders IN this respect were the
masters OF the school OF romanticism In the
first half Of the nineteenth century. The popu-
larlty OF tho Greek plays. presented with the
best French actors ana actresses IN the open
air arenas Of Orange. B6zier. Champigny. Bus
sang and Compiegno during the last three
years, has caused a genuine reaction IN the
public taste. one hears IN Partisan society to-
day the works Of Sophocles and Aristophanes
discussed freely and intelIgenty as are the
plays OF Pailleron. Angler. Meilhac. Paul Her
vieu. Breux. SardOu. Capus Donnay or Tristan
Bernard.
Writers such as Anatole France Jean Noreas.
Peladan, Jules BolS and FtlVOllet have written
excellent plays adapted or translated from
Grecian antiquity. Pierre Louys "Aphrodlte'
is one OF the most successful works at the
Opera Comique: "Ariane' draws full houses at
the Grand opera; light comedy adapted from
Aristopharos by NJ. Sacha Guitry has been this
favor!te attraction at the Theatre des Arts. az
Moutmartre. during the last three months and
Rostand is still working at his tragedy on the
lines OF Aristophancs, long ago promised 10 NJ.
Coquelin. and in which all the persOnages are
birds-ParIsan feathcred bipedS OF tho most up
tO-date types Baron d 'EstournClles de Con-
slant. Senator and president OF the PaTlia-
mentary Arbitration League. also has written a
iour-act drama based upon the Greek legend OF
PyEmalOn. in which Is developed in modern
for Pygmal!on's brother RennOS. Indeed, at
every turn finds the French stage an
undercurrent of reaction in favor Of the Greek
drama.
has adapted from Sophocles. Is the most sue
ccssful play so far produced this season at tho
Theatre Francais. 1t follows closely the oriei-
nal, but there is a simplicity and force in the
dialogue thoroughly modern and essentially Pa
risian. The play is I'm three acts. Ii takes place
of Homer. Is a sort of female Hamlet OF GreeI,
antiquity. She inctes her brother Orestes to
avenEe the murder OF her father. Agamemnnn
by killing her guilty mother, Clytemnestra and
her paramount, 4Egisthus The part of Elektra
is taken by Nine. Louise Sylvan. who now ranks
among the foremost French tragedIennes
Orcstes is played by NJ. Albert Lambert The
work is finely mounted and has been received
with enthusiasm amply justified. NJ Albert
PoZat's adaptation Of the most n1pasSiopad
drama OF SophoCles may be confidently com
mended to the attention OF the universities OF
Harvard. Yale and others where the antioue
plays OF Greece are keenly appreciated
C. L b