Omaha daily bee., 1911-05-21

stay is for but n single per-
forn-Gnce, and that on Sunday
- night. This wonderful woman is
suss concluding n tour of the United States
and Canada that has been In progress since
last fall. and during which she has covered
the country from coast to coast and from
the larger cities OF Canada to the extreme
southern border, even crossing the line
into Mexico at Juarez the day after pla--
Ing at bl Paso. Her tour has been but
repetition of the triurnphs she had achieved
at other times in this country. All along
the line she has met with the highest OF
praise for her acting. her ability showing
no sign OF her age, she seeming to be
possessed OF the vitality and vivacity of a
debutante. rathes than boirg the acltnoygl-
edged queen Of the stage for almost half
a Century. Sire 10 Hsrnhardt. and that tells
the story. Her tour will soon end, as she
expects to sail early In Juno for Paris. 1t
was change In the route due to her
decision to shorten her stay in America
by week that brought her into Omaha
on Sunday night. 1t was Sunday night or
not at all. and 30 she was booked for
Sunday night.
She win play ''L'Aiglon" here, a piece
that is new to Omaha. 1t was written for
her by Edmond Rostand and deals with
the story OF the young son of the great
Napoleon and his career in Austria. The
little king of Rome, called in the play the
duke of Reichstadt, was scarcely able to
toddle when his conquering father was
overthrow and sent away to end his days
in exile. His mother was practically a
prisoner In Austria, and here the young
eaglet was reared under the supervision
of Metternich, who undertook TO see to II
that he knew nothing of the imperial con
quests Of the man all Europe dreaded
most 1t is on this phase of the life Of the
prince that Rostand builded his poetic
romance. At the time OF the play the boy
Is beginning to feel the stirring man-withln
him. and his mother and the premier are
concerned to keep him in ignorance OF his
fathers career. But be has learned the
story. and in the great scene Of the play
he overwhelms the plotters by a recital
of the dead emporer's greatness, OF his
achievements on the field and In the
council. But the fire Of the sire burns
low in the frame OF the son, and, while he
may aspire to the greatness, he has not
the strength TO realize his plans. SO the
eaglet at last beats out his life against
the bars OF tho cage, and the line OF
Napoleon ends. The play has some wonder
fully eloquent passages and the role has
always been a favorite with Madame Bern
hardt because she is patriotic and II gives
her a chance to glorify France. Her COM
pany has been especially rehearsed in this
drama, and she gives it with all the APP
pointments essential TO its success.
The time of the play Is 1880 and 1882
The curtain rises on a scene in the villa
Maria Louisa, on the outskirts OF Baden,
near Vienna. The archduchess and ladies'
are gathered about the piano. STANDING
and sitting about the salon are Prince
Metternich. chancellor Of Austria, the at
taohe OF the French embassy; the Marquis
de Bombelles. betrothed 20 Maria Louisa
and Theresa de Loget. the girl who is TO
fall I'm love with the son OF Napoleon. All
are listening attentlvely to the music.
The effemnate duke OK Reichstadt. sur
fering from tuberculosis. joins the party.
Austrian soldiers. standing near the en-
trance. greet him with Long live Ma
pOleon" as he enters. Mstternich is angered
and his temper is evident TO all the guests
The glory OF the boys father is severy-
where. All France is just then recovering
from the Bourbon rule and Is looking upon
the young man as its only salvation. Every
incident serves to remind the young Ma
poleon OF his father.
A French tailor Is brought before the
young man and asks him what fashion he
would like his new coat to be. 'Tri-eolOr,"
Is the answer When the duke speaks the
tailor reveals himself as a consplrator OF
the Bonapartist party of France and the
archduehess woman filter as the Countess
Napoleon Camerata. niece Of the first
Napoleon
The tailor begs the young man to fee
with him and mount the throne Of France
Francis Charles refuses. Il am \ not
ready" he says. Before / 20 ! must
know positively that the people OF France
want me" The tailor is told TO come back
within ear.
The boy had never been told OF the
Tiumphs OF his father. However. Fanny
Essier, a dancer, has evaded the guard
OF the family and told him much OF the
family history. At a conference with his
tutor the young man lets II be known that
he knows everything. The curtain drops
as the boy is listening 10 stories OF tie
triumphs Of his father.
The dukes cabinet room at schonbrunn
IL the scene OF the opening OF the next act
The room is being inspected by the project
OF police. Sedinsky. While the officer is
gathering pieces Of paper from under the
desk the duke enters. He shouts, Il wish
y0u would black my boots a little better