New-York tribune., 1911-03-05
THE FRENCH STAGE
"The Night WatChman" al n.
Theatre Michel.

| lie NcllttI ce Nult { Inc Night w.,..
man.. comedy in three acts 10 :
sacha GuitTy. produced at the rs,.
Michel, Is by far the most sliccessfui 49,
rev plays so FAR brought out dur,,s y.
present season Unfortunately-and ~
haps this is a Characteristic sign =,
times-it displays a degree Of moral ,,.a
that elite audiences. composed airnost
clusively OF fashionable Parslans AVA
the smartest sets OF exotic society h..
hitherto rarely dared TO acclaim with ,..'
cxuberant and unanimous enthusiasm
VI. Sacha Gultry. son Of the well kro,.
comedian, began his career as dramas,
journalist AMI actor as a spoiled cbN :,
bohemiauism. He bears q striking rss..
blanoe, both personally and mentauy
Alfred de Musset. and. like the aythc, !,
Les Caprices de Marianne" Is q u,o.
cioUs poet. Hitherto VI. Sacha Guj,r,.
plays have eyinced merely inier,n,,,,.,
flashes OF wit and rory. They ere un.,s,
ncomplcte. superficial. hut yiiha inysr,
Iiy amusing TWO or three scenes in Ia.
Night Natchman' oyc-step the limits =,
good taste. But Il is nevertheless tho.
oUghly dramatic play. well thought oit a.,
replete with graceful daintness. humor an
pathos. It's immortality is attenuated. a.s
made almost acceptable, by being views
through a prism Of nicely POLISHED gsye,y
that reveals only the sensual reflective ray,
Of the crude coiors OF vice.
The comedy is exquisitely acted By
Sacha Gutry. by his young wife, wfcs
stage name is Mile. Lyses. by Nile. Don,y
and by NJ Harry Baur An illustrcs
savant, professor Of the College dc Fran,
and member Of the Institute attracted b.
the charms of a young. pretty and N.
olous Partisan widow. mas formed a vr
manent attachment 20 her, and enjoys ~
Companionship hy day and allows her IN
liberty TO PASS her evenings as she mar
prefer This joyful widow does no, ahsa
her freedom. once in a while sae gives 4
supper and soiree in her house to theatr-
cal and bohemian friends but she appssn
at last to be on the verge Of sliding sa
the fatal pools Of dissipation and vice Ta.
curtain rises at the fag end Of one Of thes
nocturnal festivities. The electric llghu
the champagne and the musicians are 81
in full swing, although it is long atr
dawn
Toe. Toe" a loud knocking at The dOg
OF the supper room is heard. Jean. he
young painter (Sacha Guitry. appear
who are you? What 90 you wan,,'
Il am the artist wro, according TO YOU
orders. has come TO finish the deccraaE.
panels in your salon"
What o'clock is it?"
Nine O'Clock in the morning
The guests take their departure. Jssr
climbs up on ladder, and with brush an
palette sets TO work. The capricious wido,
fingers. A brief conversation ensues. Jesi
is agreeable, witty and Well hammered.
1t is impossible FOR YOU to get angrl
with me. / don't pretend to be good lOOk
ing. hui for sympathetic qualities 1 do no
fear comparison with anybody. | have al
sorts Of good ponts-courageous, laoorioG
and respectable"
Modest" interrupts the gay widow.
why, yes. Just as idle people try Z
vain to work. l strive. also In vain, to d
nothing"
Light. bantering talk. sprinkled Wi,
pinches of MariyauX salt. follow There
quarrel Ghe widow leaves the salon IN
huff and retires 10 her bedroom. But th
image OF the young painter remains in he
mind and prevents her from sleeping 4
an hour she returns TO the salon, when
Jean is still painting the decorative panss
Passing infatuation develops inio fond a.
tachmcnt Jean becomes a welcome al
constant visitor. lie is a penniless yogt'
and defends his self-respect by refusing {
share the luXuries with which his sHess
heart is surrounded. For instance ,
brings with him FOR his breakfast a c04
pork chop, a couple OF hard boiled esg
and pint OF Burgundy. The yenerae'
and philosophical member Of the institute
who holds the pursestrings. becomes lea!
Gus. But his jealousy soon develops ini'
resignation. \ psychological discussion -
bright and sparkling as good champagne
takes place. If the member Of the Inst
tCte should drive away Jean. or if the lldI
should elope with Jean, unhappness ioT a
would ensue.
II am not rich, ! have not much sirensI
Of character and | have no real talent l.
allow ne TO remain an honest man. Is u
reflection Of Jean, whose notion Of oe.a
'an honest man Is in not trying 10 pc
vent the widow from abandoning all he
comforts ani sharing misery wi,n Jeai
Tuning 10 the widow. Jean says:
How could you i've without your ia
my when, as Tor me. / feel that / eea~
not exist unless you retain II. Nc'
that l have tasted this luxury, ! H01'
rather perish than make you share y
mediocrity.'
The member OF the Institute comes c!S
Cally TO the conclusion that Jean is, AID
all, the safest might Vatchman" for u
young widows wellbeing. and as he asa
the young painter to join him in a same q
beZique the curtain falls.
NJ Sacha Guitry plays the part OF Jsai
in a masterfui way. showing thai he is %
OF the most accomplished light comedia'
VI the day. &. 1. b.