New-York tribune., 1907-11-24
TWO NEWFRENCHPLAYS
Success attained by Son Perc" and
LECentaI."
Paris, NoXenlber ;.

1aFls, November ..
NJ. Antoine, manager OF the Odeon, has
brought out with great success a delightful SEN
timental comedy in four acts by NM. Guinon
and Bouchinet, entitled "son Pere," which deals
with the French family. Nine Orser is the
model Of an affectonate but unhappy wife. She
lives with her daughter Jeanne in a fat in the
modest quarter of the Batignolles Edouard
Idegeois' a worthy young clerk, pays court to
Jeanne, who is in her nineteenth year and ac-
cording to French custom. asks her mother il
he can marry her. Nine Orsier gives her con-
sent Jeanne has deep sympathy and respect
for Edouard and promises him her hand. The
engagement must however, be q long one, be-
cause Mime. Orsier, formerly wealthy. has lost
fhe bulk OF her fortune and Edouard feels the
necessity of lettering his financial situation by
accepting lucrative post for a couple of years
in Africa. Nine Orsier frankly informs Edouard
that instead of being widow. he had sup
posed, she is legally separated from her hus-
hand. who cruelty abandoned wife and daughter
eighteen years before.
Suddenly the attorney Of NJ Orsier appears
with the startling announcement that Orsier.
his client, has returned from Russia, and after
The long separation yearns to see his daughter
whom he left mere child in arms. The lawyer
says that Orsier. in accordance with the sen
tence of the tribunal, insists that his daughter
Jeanne shall pass month of the year with
him. Mother and daughter ar> equally alarmed
Gime. Orsier has the worst possible opinion Of
the man who deserted and deceived her He IS
- worthless nbertine." she declares and would
i5 not be criminal TO expose the pure minded
Jeanne to the surroundings and influences of
such life? Jeanne who has no recollection Of
her father, whom she has always been told is
profigate scapegrace, is heartbroken at the idea
of leaving her mother The attorney explains
at iS fo
that Orser, who has made a large fortune
abroad architect. is highly respected.
Mother and daughter shed tears. and as they
become resigned to their fate Jeanne exclaims:
y am an utter stranger to this man. ] will do
my duty, but shall do so with frigid. sullen
face and shall never smile nor open my mouth
in his presence"
In the second act Jeanne enters her fathers
house NJ Orsier supposes that his daughter is
still il affiuent circumstances, but is somewhat
disconcerted by the extreme simplicity Of her
dress.
He asks: Where is your maid?"
i have none, sir; we have only a bonne. She
has returned home"
Taken aback by the cold indifference of Jeanne
and BY the of the formal sir Orsier sug-
gests: How you to address me? Call me
father. my father, Won't you?"
Jeanne remains silent.
10 answer,
chamber-the blue chamber. If IT does not suit
you choose another. You are in your own home
here"
Jeanne. silent and suIlen, proceeds TO her
room. N. Orsier feels so disappointed that he
Is the point Of accepting an invitation brought
70 him by his young friend Thouzery to sup
with pretty actress.
Upon second thought he says: When one
has 2 daughter OF twenty under ones roof one
does not CAD about with actresses" Orsier per-
suades Thouzery to dine with him and his daugh-
ter.
Here follows a series Of incidents and situa-
tons perfectly charming In their way, showing
how n. Orsier, the gray haired father. finally
wins by his paternal affection and solicitude
his daughters heart. He surrounds her with
every luxury. and her gowns and hats come
from the snlaTtest houses in the Rue de Ia Paix.
Father and daughter have many tastes in COM
mon. Here there is most insdiousIy rendered
the indirect influence Of money upon a senti-
mental girl absolutely free from rnercenary feel
ings. The contrast between Jeanne's austere
life IN the modest little Batignolles fat and her
genial comfort and exquisite existence in her
fathers sumptuous abode in the Champs Ely
sees is wildly drawn. and the impressions made
upon Jeanne are depicted in a manner adroit
and truthful TO human nature.
Al the expiration Of the month Jeanne finds
it painful 20 go away. When her mother calls
for her she astounds her by saying that she
loves her father az well as her mother.
Yes; but Edouard?" the mother observes.
7 keep my promise: will marry Edouard!"
The father says: IF you marry him for no
ether reason than because you promised to do
60 you win find that in reality you love some
one else"
Alas! yes"
An right, then: masry thA other one!"
II is readily divine5 tha: Ssanne and the brill
liant and wealthy young Thouzery have already
fallen in love with each other The wedding is
jlted The curtain falls as Orsier and his wife
after eighteen years separation are Joined to-
geCher again by their daughter Jeanne. There
IS subtle charm in this comedy that escapes
analysis 1t is the most successful play pro-
duoed at the Odeon since the second national
theatre" has been under the direction of NJ An
tome
The Gy1nnase Theatre has also scored a de-
cided success with "LEventail." another COM
edy in four acts, by NM. de Flers and Caillavet
which is the most finished and most "distin-
guished" play that has far resulted from the
collaboration Of these two authors. II deals with
fascinating Partisan coQuette whose coquetry
mas hndheartedness for its motive, and tho
ooquette not only makes her friends happy but
wins back the only man she ever really loved.
c. LB.