New-York tribune., 1918-10-27
"Blanchette" -Four til
Play by Brieux
To Be Seen Here


French Theatre du Vieux Colombier
adds ono to the quartet of plays by
Eugene Bricux to be produced in the
United States. three of them in Eng
lsf, offered for regular productions,
and one done more or less privately
Damaged Goods" was the most sea-
sational play done in New York in a
decade, and the unusual method used
in its production did not serve to
lessen this curiosity. "Maternity' which
followed, and which it was hoped
might meet with equal sensational sue
cess, was q failure; and "Woman On
Her Own,' done more or less privately
at the Hotel Plaza by one of the scv-
cral art uplift organizations with
which New York is studded, served to
introduce one of his best plays, but
one which had out!ived its usefulness.
The late Laurence Irving was rc-
sponsiblc for introducing Breux to
Americans. During one of his last ap-
pcarances in New York he did "Thc
Three Daughters Of NJ. Dupont" and
with one or two notable exceptions the
reviewers paid high tribute to the
power Of the dramatist, as we'll as the
art of the excellent company formed
by Mr.. Irving for its presentation, q
company headed by himself and Mabel
Hackney, both of whom later met an
untimcly death in a sea disaster.
But it is agreed that Bricux will be
best known by "Blanchcttc, )" which will
be produced for the first time in any
language in this country when the
French rcpcrtory company acts it.
"Blanchcttc" is considered one of the
most powerful arraignments of an evil
to come under the pen of Brieux, and
as a play it is far more human than
his clinical essays which have been
produced as plays. His best known
commentators declare that the problem
treated in "Blanche ette"- Bricuy al
ways writes around a problem-will
remain after the problems treated in
damaged Goods and "Matenity"
have both been forgotten. "Banch-
cite" is direct and poignant attack
against society which educates with
out further consideration Of the fut-
ure of those educated
Eugene BrieuX, now a member of the
French Academy, is one Of the most
powerful of modern French dramatists
tic has written group of about thirty
plays, and in each he has had a special
evil at which he aimed He is ono Of
the broadest and most unprcjudiccd of
men, writing a distinctly cosmopolitan
language, as evidenced by the success
OF his chief plays in his own country.
the United States, England, even Ger
many. He is about ffty-six years of
age, but this he declares to be non
essential. The chief thing is his plays,
and on this subject he will talk inter-
minably. He credits Antoine with his
first success. 1t was Antoine and his
theatres that gave to Brcux the first
encouragement, and many Of the later
plays by this dramatist have been pre-
sented first at the Antoine playhouse
Before the season ends it is exceed
ingly likely that another play by Brcux
will be 0onc-"Thc Red Robe" Several
times this play has been announced,
but its actual production has not until
this season been undertaken.
The plays Of Brieux include BERNARD
Palissy" and "Lc Bureau dc Divorces, :"
both in collaboration with CASTOR Sa-
landr, 1880; "Mcnages d'Artistes," re-
Gently published as ARTISTS Families" :"
and Ola File de Duramc," 1890; "M
de Rcboval" and "Blanchcttc," 1892;
Ga Couv6e," 1898; "L'Engrcnage,"
1894; "La Rose Blcue,' 1895; "Lcs
Bienfaiteurs" and "LEvasion,' 1896;
Les Trois Files dc NJ. Dupont" 1897;
"L'Ecole dcs Beles-Mcres, "Resultat
dcs Courses" and SIC Berceau," 1898;
LA Robe Rouge" 1900; LES Rem
placantes," 1901; "Les Avaries" and
LA Petite Annie" 1902; "Matcrnite," :"
1908; ala Deserteuse," 1904; "L'Arma-
ture," 1905; Lies Hannetons," 1906;
LA Francaise," 1907; "Simonc," 1908;
"Suzette" and "La Fol-" 1909; LA
Femme Soule >, 1910 ord HTo Rovrooo;z :