The New York herald., 1922-10-22
French Girl Weds
african, Is Killed,
in New Paris Play
Women Criticize Role Of Bride
Sarah Bernhardt Soon
i'm adam and Eve.'

Special Correspondence to TIE NEW YORK
IERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Paris, Oct. Z.
r II policy for Parisienne to marry
foreigner, and especially a North
African, and II so should she sac
rifice her European habits and suffer
humiliation at the hands of her Mus
sulman husband? Such is the problem
set by the first important new play to
be presented in Paris this season. The
play by Pierre Frondaie is LIN
soumise," shown at the Theatre An
tome under the direction Of Firmin
Gemier./
Opinion seems much divided as to
the merits of the play and women in
particular criticize the role attributed
to the Parisienne acted by Vera Ser
glne. The plot takes the audience from
Paris to Deauville, thence to Africa.
where European women visit a harem
and then back to Biarritz and to a
conclusion in which the husband and
Mussulman conquers and wins.
FabieM,s tSergine) Is wealthy Pa
risienne of independent character. just
back from New York. In Paris she
meets FaSn ei ouaroh (Charies Boyer),
a wealthy Caid from Morocco. They
marry. albeit the words nearest a
Frenchwoman's heart. IT love you
have never been pronounced by her hus-
band. Nevertheless both are in love.
They Join fashionable society at Deau-
Vile during the season and give the
appearance of very united couple.
Her Old Admirer Appears.
The first break in their happiness
comes on their return TO Paris. when
one evening while waiting to go out to
dine. an old friend and admirer of
Fdbienne Is introduced FASH for the
first time shows his domineering in
stincts and orders Fab,eane to dismiss
her former admirer Fabienle refuses
and objects to receiving peremptory in
structions from her husband. The latter
remains silent, but a few minutes later
leaves the house and Immediately re-
turns to his native land.
Fdbienne, distracted and distressed.
tries to forget, but her love for Fayil
dominates and with friend she decides
to go to Africa and win back her hus-
band. Unheralded and unperceived. the
two women enter FdsiPs property and
are surprised by Fail while inspecting
his harem, wherein he has secluded
young and beautiful Moroccan girls
Fdbienne and Fail fall into each others
arms and the Parisienne decides to re-
main one night in the palace.
Fdsil, however, decides otherwise and
practically makes the woman a prisoner
She submits to this, but Fdsil, to show
her that he is her master, announces
that under protection of Mussulman law
he has decided to take a second wife,
FGbieHne becomes hystercal and plans
her escape. Her friend has called In
Fdbicnnc'S former sweetheart. who to
free the woman he still loves attacks
and severely Injuries Fdsil, leaving him
for dead. Fdbienne and her lover then
start for Biarritz.
Meets Her Husband Again.
Months later Fa-H goes to Biarrtz
and meets FGbienne, who. unhappy with
her lover falls at Fdsn's feet, who. lift
ing her up, merely remarks: II took you
once. / have retaken you"
At the same time he clasps her hand
and ring which he carries cuts deeply
into his wife's hand The ring was
POISONED and Fdbienne dies few min
ues later with hands outstretched to her
master and a happy smile lighting up
rer face. Fdsii then returns 10 his
palace and harem.
- Critics arc loud in their praise for the
artists. but consider that the play is
likely to set up anew two intricate ques-
tions: Should woman implicitly obey
her husband and has the latter the right
to take either one or more wives or
mistresses and expect faithfulness from
his legitimate wife? The play does not
help to solve either question.
\ The play Is ultra modern In technique
Fdsil is shown as a keen aviator and
motorists a good dancer and an accom-
plished society man. Probably for the
first time In the history OF the French
stage divorce was mentioned Contrary
TO what happens in reality the request
for divorce made by Fabienne was re-
1ected.
While the management of the Thea
tre Edouard VII. has not yet announced