New-York tribune., 1909-03-07
The FRENCH STAGE
Il '1ne de Buridan," Dashing Three
Act COmcdy-"La Fufic.
Paris. Fcbruary -.

The Paris theatres are beginning to rene"
their bills, with features for the coming spring
season Among the dozen of new plays brought
out this week by far the brightest ana most
amusing Is Lane de Buridan." delicious
thrce-act comedy. written in a dashing up-to-
date Narivaux vein 10y NM. Robert dc Flers and
CASTOR Arran de CaiIlavet whose collaboration
during the last hve years has been highly sue
cessful and now bids fair to surpass shat OF
Meilhac and Haltvy. Lane de Burdan," pro
duced at the Gymnase, and admirably acted by
Marthe Regnicr. Dubosq and Dumsny. is III its
way quite consummate work Of art as
'Frou Frou'' or La Petite Marquise." We find
agreeable sympathetic vignettes of men and
women. Geftly accentuated by vivid color and
ironic Caricature.
The story Of the play is very simple. but con-
veys no idea OF the delicate aroma Of satire. wit
truthful observation and sentiment that escapes
analysis. a retired diplomatist, Lucien de Yer
sannes, is living at d seaside villa near Dinsrd
with his somewhat coquettish wife, Odette and
his fair and firtatous cousin Fernando. who is
his wife's friend and companion. Lucien is an
amiable skeptic- philosopher who has solved the
problem Of being at the same time a good nus
band for his wife, Odette, and a trusted friend
and comrade for his cousin Fernando; and 50
life runs smoothly ana merriiy- There are no
children: but Lucien has adopted his young
orphan relative. Micheline whose father had
been a Bohemian painter of talent. Lucien has
a pure paternal affection for Micheline, who
comes being "tomDoy" as is possible
for q young French girl who has artistic tenn
permanent and who is brimful of sentiment.
Georges Boulains, an intimate friend OF
Lucien, appears. and is invited to pass fort
night al the villa. Micheline, hitherto without
4 trace of coquetry, suddenly becomes trans
formed with a desire to please. She puts on
pretty gowns, arranges her hair, and Lucien
gradually divines that his ward is falling in love
with Georges Boullain, the gay and genial young
Viveur Georges i not aware that he is also be-
coming very fond OF Mcheline. because he has
plunged into reckless Irritation with Odette and
with Fernando, and hesitates between the bru-
nette charms Of the former and the rousse at
fractions Of the latter, just the famous ass Of
Buridan, unable To make up his mind whether
he more hungry than thirsty, or vice versa.
stood motionless between the pail Of water and
the sack Of oats Georges in his perplexity.
meets former transient flame in the frivolous
Vivette. a Partisan music han star profess
sional tour Dinard.
Georges asks Vivette: rs il possible for a
TO love two women at once?" Vivette soon
finding out that she herself is not one Of the
two women in question, smashes porcelain
plates, statuettes and bric-a-brac and runs
away in q rage. Georges goes home TO bed He
is awakened at O'Clock in the morning by the
that Georges is getting too attentive to his wife
and also 10 his cousin. Il am at your orders
and await your secondsr' is the conventional
reply Of Georges. Lucien says: oh! that is all
nonsense! I insist upon your making your
choice between Odette and Fernando If
essary, l get divorce from Odette and
marry Fernando if you choose Fernando 1
can remain perfectly happy with Odette A
very spirited discussion ensues. Lucien closes
the argument by hastily writing a few lines
a sheet of paper and putting 1t in an envelope
and sealing ii. Take this It inciosos the
name of the woman of your choice; but promise
me break the seal until you have
ceeded in finally and irrevocably making up
your mind"
The agreement is accepted. Lucien goes
away. Just before sunrise pebbles fall into
Georges's room through the open window. 1t
is Michene calling for Georges to go out fish
ing Mcheline herself climbs over the railing
and jumps into the room. She is charmingly
attired in a fishing costume and her ankles and
feet are bare Georges and Micheline start out
together their fishing excursion AT noon all
meet for luncheon at the Casino. Micheline.
thinking that Georges does not care for her. and
imagining that he is in love with Odette or Fer
nande or both, starts TO away from home
She gets as far as the railway station. She
turns 10 get a last glimpse Of Georges She
finds him alone in the villa. a delicious bit Of
sentimental love making ensues Georges at last
discovers that il is Michene that he loves. Ia
the presence Of Micheline he writes letter ask
ing Lucien to accord him the hand of his ward
the delicate little hand that, while he writes Is
gracefully resting a Louis XIV armchair as
it's owner is falling asleep from fatigue. Georges
gazes with rapture at the living picture As he
closes his written request he finds in the blotter
the sealed letter that Lucien had handed him
the night previous. Now being certain that his
decision is made he opens the envelope out OF
curiosity, and, greatly to his establishment
reads My dear Georges l accord to you the
hand Of my charming little Micheline, because
I feel sure that you will make her happy. :"
Micheline is fast asleep. Georges places in
her lap the two letters-the demand fer her
hand and the reply from her guardian granting
the request. The curtain falls. This delightful
comedy is full of captivating situations" and
the dialogue is as bright. sparkling and fresh
as q day OF spring sunshine.
La Furie.' a tragedy in five acts and IN
verse by n Jules Bois, constructed on the lines
of Euripides's Hercules Furens." has been
superbly mounted at the Theatre Francais and
is splendidIy acted by Paul Mounet Hercules.
Albert Lambert as Lykos. Nine Segoad-Wsber