New-York tribune., 1909-11-28
THE FRENCH STAGE
Jmnac a Successful Histor;,
Drama.

.r Farlss November p
Jarnac." an historical drama 4,
ae's oy NM. Leon Hennique and Johanul,
Hi@N'er' winch was brought out the oss,-
h'sht az tns Odeon. takes place during =.
most picturesque period of the Renslsss,.,
the close OF tho reign Of Franci. r a.,
the beginning of that % Henry IL ~.
actloh passes az Compiegne. Saiut-C;.-.
main. Rambouillet and Fontaine5Ieau. ~.
scenery costumes and mountiugs are "a.
cinating- Jarnac. hitherto famous on =,
count OF the treacherOus "coup De -
nae" has recently been whitewashsd :.
NJ Francklin, one OF the curators m -.
National Library. who shows that the -.
OF the famous duel with La Chatalepa-s,.
which took place IN the presence % E-iu.
Henry III and the whole court Al -.
Germain. was a noble hearted man ana
by no means a villain. but a victim. Tha
Duchesse d'EtamDes. favorite OF the ala
King Francis ]. is a younger woman tba,
Diane dc POltiers. the favorite OF his sor
the Dauphin. afterward Henry II. Jarnae
who has an intrigue with the Duchess.
q Estampes. Is forced 70 marry Louise IA.
ter Of the Duchesse O'Etampes. IN ord.r p,
quiet the suspicious OF Francis /. But u
Chataigneraie. attached 10 the hOusehold
OF the Dauphin. Is in love with Louise. and
had even gone 50 far as % intrust 70 lar
mac the mission OF demanding her in mar.
riage on his own behalf. La Chataigusrais
furious because. as IS quite natural "a
supposes that Jarnac has betrayed hfu.
and melted by Diane de Poitiers. who al,
hates Jarnac because. satiated with he-
own charms. he deserted them for thos.
OF the Duchesse d Etampes, grossly insults
Jarnac. The Dauphin takes I'd the Guarrs,
and also exaspeTates Jarnac. Conseaueu;-
Iy. La Chataigneraie, the most skilled
swordsman IN France. challenges Jaruss
to mortal combat, as Is prescribed By ths
Dauphin. Francis I forbids the duel Fran
els dies. The death scene IN the chstear
of Rambouillet is admirably presented
Henry II succeeds TO the throne. The Arst
thing he does Is 70 order the duel % taxa
place The spectacle is superb. Tie King.
with Diane de POitiers at his side, is seated
on a throne. Marshals az arms on horse
back, the Grand Herald OF Normandy on
a white charger. armOred eourtiers and
bevies OF court ladies witness the due.
Jarnac and La Chataigneraie have for
their weapons both swords and daggers.
During a fierce bout, Jarnac. holding for
an instant the sword OF his adversary mo
tionless BY a violent parry from his own
sword slips forward and with his dagger
hamstrings La Chataigneraie- Upon this
rather obscure and himsy theme the au-
thors have succeeded in embroidering re-
rnarkabIe reconstruction OF the court Of
Henry II, which gave full satisfaction 70
the audience OF the Odeon. Desjardin msds
a superb Francis 1. and the two royal "a
vorites. the Duchesse dEtampes and Dana
de Poitiers. are gracefully tnpersonatsi
bv Mile. Deviuiers and Mime. Grumbsea.
There Is but slight trace OF the meodra-
matte cape and sword notion Of Dumas
and sardou in this play. IL Is the app
cation OF realistic methods 70 histor4A
drama, and its success Is well merited.
Nine. Sarah Bernhardr is mdefausabs
Each night after the performance OF L As-
ION" she has been rshearsins the torrhcor-
ing historic play. The Trial Of Jszrna
dare AT her theatre, not returning 70 nss
house in the Boulevard Pereire until SD
o'clock IN the morning In the afternoons
VIXEN there are no matinses 70 act-she d.
rects the rehsarsals in the Theatre tss
Arts of her little light comedy-still with
ouc a titIe-which she wrote durins ths
summer at Belle-Isle.
Inc Y NdQQeNlA6 14tdIrs Win -0s'-0A----~-
capital supplied by VI. Alfred Edwards, ard
Row under the sole management OF "
PCreL has in hand a new piece by NM
Tristan Bernard and Alfred Athis. caHel
LIE Costaud dies Epinettes,' ths Prlncip@
part OF which Will be played by Nine. Ian
telme. The comedy passes amid the 0oaie-
wards, with an occasional dive into ne
sIums OF Parts. with now and then an
ascension into the salons o. the hauis-
france.
La Revanche dive" the broad, frisT
farce in three acts by NM Antony Mars
and AIphonse de Bell brought out az tns
Palais ROyale. is brimful OF the episoces' 4
mishaps, surprises. mistakes OF persons
infdelities and intrigues that for the as.
century have made the little theatre OF M
Palais ROyaIe veritable house of Tirt-
The farce. no better and no worse than hun
Greds that have preceded IL, Is vel piAs'.
by clever and pretty actresses and misses
cCtOrs The plot. which IS a very risN
ole. turns upon the adventures OF COD
Eers wife. who, IN seeking % protect IN
purity OF a maiden daughter, herself na
rCwly escapes perditicn IN a whiripOol =
bons viveurs. professional beauties, caNa''
officers and frenzied bohenlians-
CLB