The Washington herald., 1907-04-21
PLAY-NEWS OF NEW YORK
GRACE GEORGE IN "DIVORCONS"- NAZIM0VA IN
s'COMTESSE COQUETTE'-NoTES OF
PERSONS AND PLAYS.


Correspondence Of The Washington Herald.
New York. April 29.-The only novelty
Of the week was the appearance Of Grace
George at Wallacks Monday evening 10
a new version Of Sardou's 'Divorcons.
The admirable little comedy. which has
served so many actresses for the display
OF their chic and coquetry. was charm
ingly played, and Miss George is credited
with a rather catering achievement IN
the role Of Cyprienne. The distinct hit OF
the piece. however. was made by Frank
Worthing as the husband.
The spirit Of the comedy is 50 undis-
gusably French that an English-speaking
company rarely succeeds in touching with
sufficient delicacy the nounees which gloss
over its insidious naughtiness and make
it that arabesque of exquisite design
which it is That spirit was never better
developed than when Aimee. with the
abandon Of the ideaIized chanteuse, play
ed Cyprienne a score Of years ago dur
ing her American tour in English. That
delicacy of refined lnsOuciance is. Of
course, absent in Miss George. Her i'm
personation is more sober, more sedate,
and heavier, but it is charming withal,
and delightful enofgh TO inspire respect
for her art. The only member Of the
cast who caught the railing spirit Of sug-
gegted badln8ge. which is the ground
work OF the comedy. and hands ii over
the footlights. was Worthing, and bis
notices" have been extremely eompii
mentary. Some contend that it is the
best work he has done in the course of
his entire career.
The absence Of this peculiar Gaelic spirit
is perceptible in the playing of a strik-
ing novelty on Broadway this week.
mean in "Comtesse Coquette," which
Mime. Nazimova is now playing at the
BijOu This is Roberto Bracco's comedy,
'Indidelite. Englished by DIrce ST. Cyl
and Grace Isabel Colb0rn-a strictly up
to-date Italian comedy. the theme, tenor
and treatment OF which, however, is as
French as those Of 'Divorcons." Indeed
il is half-sister Of "Divorcons, and q
most delicate piece OF dramatic fiigree-
refined, bright daring, and bubbling over
with true Gaelic banter and gayety. The
plot is worth telling
Nina (Nazimoyaj is the spoiled. self
willed. firtatous wife OF a young bal
complacent husband the C0mte SilviC
di Lorenzo (Arthur ForresD- 1t is a per
( fectly modern marriage in high life There
( is love a Ia mode. but Nina does as she
I likes. Conscious Of her own innocence
T but craving attention, she receives ad
/ mlrers in her b0udoir. goes driving witt
I them. and visits the theaters with them
I The husband tolerates il. awed by he
] asseTtiveness. and content with the as
surance OF her fidelity.
But one lover is holder than the others
/ Gino Riccardt Guy StaRding) is a ma
Of the world. lie views her Harmless
I huttering with a cynical philosophy, AM
puts her moral fOrtitude TO the test
You fiirt and coquette,' he says. ''an'
/ because you do il openly you disarn
/ criticism. and consider yourself safe ant
above suspicion. But you have neye
+ been exposed to real danger. You hav
/ never been tempted How do you know
/ that you have the strength Of resistance
/ Are you willing 10 submit 20 a trialy'
"Che0rfulIy, she says. The idea fas
cinates her
So Ono makes an appointment witt
her for the next day at AT his room
I He prepares for the reception. Picture
. Of her are displayed Ia the room, wreath
ed with flowers. a half-written poem O
devotion 10 her is left carelessly on tn
! writing desk where she viii find il. Tn
surroundings are made seductive b
+ every ingenuity OF an enterprising lover
a step is hes approaching. Gin
quickly sits NJ IL no prepared To b
. surprised by her lE the proper poeti
mood rs she enters the room.
But il is not Nina who enters. but he
husband