New-York tribune., 1912-02-29
THE DRAMA
Nine. Simone in "The Lady Of
Dreams" Hudson Theatre.


for beauty of spirit, form and setting. mas
rarely been equalled in this city.
Nine. Simone now appears in play by
Edmond Rostand. The play is La Prin-
cesse Lointaine" That indefatigable
dramatist, Louis n. Parker, has made the
English adaptation. which he calls The
Lady OF Dreams" and 1t is this adapta-
ton. with this name, which Nine. Simone
and her managers present at the Hudson
Theatre In what American playgoers OF
the hour consider the dim, dark, medieval
past, otherwise the year 1925, and the
month April, on the fifth day thereof
Sarah Bernhardt gave the first perform
ance Of La Princesse Bointaine' AT the
Theatre de la Renaissance. in Paris. She
is 10 reproduce the play this season nut
she will not again act as the young nnh
lovely Melissinda, Princess of the Orient
and Countess OF Tripoli: she will take the
part of tho valiant. tempted, but loyal
knight, Bertram of Allamanon, swordsman
and troubadour of Provence. Guitry was
the Bertram Of the original cast You can
imagine Sareh's Bertram gasr.ng, swoon-
ing and bleeding: but can you Imagine her
(him) Staying his Cher) scores OF warriors
cutting path through the ranks OF the
Emperor's Adventures, -rescuing the rap
turous Princess and conveying her aboard
the Iugger where all may yet be well?
However, the fighting is off the stage.
All that may be as Time and the lady
mot the Lady of Dreams) agree BUT
since present concern is not with Bern
hardt and Gultry, but with simone ana
Northumberland seen in Parker's mirror
let the business speed.
4 poetic play all Of romance, romance ct
the twelfth century, which was as roman
tic q century as poet or dramatist may
choose to gid with the fondest and most
glowing imaglnlngs. There was Godfrey
Rudcl Prince Of Blaye, Troubadour, too Ct
Acquitane and he loved the Princess Far-
Away. and wished her nearer. He had not
seen her, for she was in the Orient and ne
in Acuuitane But travellers tales hud
told him, as they had told the world, that
she had the beauty Of the sun and stars
He filed ali Christian lands with praise OF
her in poesy and song. Wherever pilgrims
went and troubadours, they sang his roun-
delays OF all this the glorifed Melssinda
heard I'm her palace in remote Tripoli. And
she knew that her deserts justified all the
poetry of all the ages.
Long did Godfrey Rudel dream Of this
jewel of a lady and shape sonnets TO her
miraculous charms. He is besieged, OBJ
sessed. by dreams OF her. And then, en-
barking in a caravel. with corsair crew,
and accompanied by his gallant and dear
friend. Bertram of Allamanon, off he starts
20 win the seas to Tripoli and there dts
cover his Goddess OF Bright Dreams. Do
Iaved by hurricanes and misadventure
with stores exhausted, sailors injured and
starving, with rigging shattered and tim
bers strained, the caravel makes Iripoh
But Geofrey Rudel lies dying on the deck,
gazing al the port whore his enchantrcss
dwells I'm her guarded castle. Ashore goes
Bertram to fetch the Princess Melissinda-
Her coming may save his friends life, VII
al least console his last hours.
Ashore goes Bertram, fighting his way 20
the gates OF the palace, from the gates 10
within, 70 the Princess's own door, which
is guarded by the huge Knight OF the Yer
dant Armor, carving and smashing his
way 10 her presence. For she Is imprisoned
in her palace by guardsmen who serve the
Emperor Manuel Commenos. Stirred nv
such knightly valor and manly cOmeliness,
Merssnda, a selfish M less than naughty
beauty, falls at once in love with her res
cuer, the gallant amba ssador from Geoffrev
Rudel Bertram swoons from his wounds.
The Princess Melissnda nurses him
Speedily he receivers. The gorgeous Melis-
sinds does not dissemble her love. Bertram
al first repels. then Yields 10 H. And all
the while Prince Geoffrey Rudel lies dying
l. f.su "a
Princess and the Provencsl knight can see
from the window where they embrace.
How Bertram's fealty 10 Rudel Is reused
again: how he kindles Pity in the dazzling
Melissnda, pity for the Prince Geofrey.
the man O. dreams; how Princess and
Knight 20 to the anchored caravel where
Geoffrey lies dying; how Mellssinda, now
penitent and loving. soothes Geoftrey
RudeIs fieeting life, and learns the bliss OF
undying love- learns that great loves arc
stepping-stones to heaven" the progress
Of the play sets forth.
Nine. Simonc's performance was one Of
great and unexpected beauty and I'm
rressiveness. IT was by turns touching,
strong: u was sometimes tender, and at
other times it almost thrilled the behold
leave but little TO be desired But In re-
spect 10 its oral expression, 1t left in the
nature of things n good deal TO be wished
for. because In speaking English blank
verse Nine. Simonc was more than ever
conscious that she was speaking in for
eign tongue.
/ II is I'm the use OF English that she is 1T
great disadvantage. But her acting In this
poetic and interesting play is the best, by
far the best, that she has shown IN this
country. The beauty and fitness Of the
staging matched i'm quality the presence
and the work Of the celebrated French
actress. The effect Of this performance
and production should be the besiegng OF
the box Office of the Hudson Theatre for
weeks 10 come
High praise IL deserved by Mr., \. E. An
son for his acting of Geoffrey Rudcl He
was quite perfect. and when Mr.. Anson is
at his best he is well worth seeing and
hearing. especially hearing. He Is one Of
tho small band of actors possessing a
knowledge OF the art OF English speech
Mr.. Julian L'Estrange earned favorable
mention as Bertram. A W.
CAST or THE LADY or DREAMS"
Melissinda da..................... Nine. Simons
Sorismonda Observation-Disclosures. Elaine Inescort
Bertram Of Allamanon. Julian B'Estrange
Geoffrey RudeI. .............. y. f.. Anson
Brother Trophmus. ........ 81. George Farren
Erasmus ,.................Ch Charles Francis
EouarciafiO Observation-Disclosures. .Geoffrey Stein
Tho Knight Of the Verdant Armor ......
Gordon Burby
The master OF the ship. Charles r.. Bunnell
PcEOfaI. ................. .Niltred Forster
TrobaIdo. do...............W winthrop Chamberlain
Francis s...................F +. Broadhurst Nernoy
Ristagno. o.......... .......... .... Frank Richter
Juan the Portuguese Edward Lester
Warrias OF Algues Mortcs. go. George Sheldon
1h. ........... |. Da