Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-07
New National.

NCW NdIlO1ldl.
The oTenins of Bernhar dt's engagement
a the New National Theater last night
was an occasion of sincere and unstinted
enthusiasm. Any who attended with the
idea of paying a well deserved tribute to
the career rather than to the performance
OF great artist, ready to make allow
ances because of the splendid achieve
ments of the past. found their laudable
intentions quite Superfiuous. Bernhardt
is now, as she has always been, the
vivid and vital embodiment of the pres
Ont. Her subtle Yet magnificent powers
bring the scenes characters 10 which
they are addressed out of the realm OF
pictorial "reminiscences and make them
stand forth creations OF distinct ana
Immediate reality.
The audience last night lived not in the
capital of the United States of America
but at Baden; at Schoenbrunn and at the
Held Of Wagram. The ambitions which
fret the modern mind were effaced. ana
in their place stood forth as matters OF
supreme concern the futile. pathetic, yet
noble, aspirations of the Inflated youth
whose sorrows enable him to snare the
immortal fame won by the triumphs OF
his ancestry.
The selection Of "L'Aiglon' as the play
for the opening night was bold chal-
enge to critical comparisons, for the
role has been enacted under native aus
pices, which must claim touch OF Ia
Norable prejudice toward players whom
the public has learned to hold in close
and affectionate acquaintance. And
when Bernhard herself brought the
play to America years ago she had the
support of that Incompatible player
Coauelin. as F'lambeau. Last night ;
presentation was distinct and indie
pendent dealization. acknowledging no
standards of comparison and uninfiu-
euced save by the inspiration OF the
poet whose work at once bestows I'M
mortality on its subject and wins II LOT
himself
One concept OF L'AisIon-a concept that
appeals strongly TO the strain of Anglo
Saxon intelligence that moves by practi-
al reason oftener than by sympathetic
impulses the physical l. Aiglon; the
youth whose proud determination was
haTassed and subdued by the sheer lack
or bodily strength. 1t is the story first
of a weakling physique that contains
mighty. struggling soul: physlque 100
fraiI to contain the great contending
moods which animate IL. Vt is peautl-
ful and poetic tragedy. hut a tragedy OF
corporate and material existence
The Bernhardt concept is that of the
cpirit. which, even though overwhelmed
~ the end. carries on its fight against
ropeleSs odds with such valance that
the admiration of heroSm in the con-
Fict overweiehS the pity for defeat The
Bernhardt IAislon is a blighted child
ef earthly glory. but first of all 1t is
Youth and Napoleon Though bound by
shackleS too strongly forged to he sun
Gered. the dauntless spirit still dlsdainS
them. and. rather than submit. eXhausts
and destroys itself by its own indoniitabe
struggle
Rernhardt'S impersonaton of the role
has taken on a new charm While con-
sistent in its analysis. it presents new
lights of boyiSh impulsiveness and of inn
rerial pride. The peculiar quality of Ros-
tand's genius which enables him to utiI-
iZe incidents usually deemed commonplace
as symbols of splendid significance is
shared by this actress to such q degree
that she must he regarded as his natural
exponent. No gesture is too fleeing. no
Jntonation too Slight to fail in conveying
some powerful and Illuminating sugges-
ton. Nothing is without purpose. yet
her technical attachments go far that
they extend into infinity and are merged
into the utmost naturalness The meas
1;red cadences of the French dramatic
form are lost in the absolute spontaneity
Of the readers expression.
The F1ambeau of NJ. Dccoeur was
masterpiece. His vigorous determinations
and his sturdy pose were relieved now
and then by a touch of comedy SO deli
cate as to demonstrate the highest fneSse
In the scenes he shared with Bernhardt
lie was partner and not a mere assist
ant The fine support which each lent the
other proclaimed the artist on either
side Bernhardt's exquisite sense of pro-
portion was finely illustrated in the in
terview in which she is chiefly an auditor.
and during which. while displaying the
most tense interest. she deftly diyerts
the attention which might wander toward
her. back to the figure which legitimatey
comma nds the scene
NJ. MaXudian as Metternch was effect
I've. though inclined to declamatory meth
DDS where the ina gination might prop
erly demand a character of sardonic and
unrelenting austerity.
The cast is one of general superiority.
Flowers were passed over the footlights,
and the prolonged applause and numer-
Gus curtain calls proved that each auditor
claimed some share in the spirit which
prompted the gracious tribute.