The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-08-28
QUEEN MARIE
To- SPONSOR
PLAY
Ter of Bibesco's
Married Life" to be
Under Royal Auspices

THE first performance of Mar
ried Life" the sparkling COM
II edy by Prince Antoine Bibesco,
Minister of Rumania, which will be
presented at the Belasco Theater by
the Belasco Players next Monday
evening, will be gala night under
the patronage of H. r. H. Queen
Marie of Roumania and the pro-
ceeds thereof will be devoted to any
charity which she may designate.
Box parties for the first night are
now being arranged, with members
Of the Diplomatic Corps and others
prominent in official life as hosts.
The presentation of Married Lite, /"
which is afterward to be put on in
New York, is an event of major
Importance in the world Of the
theater. Although Prince Bibesco
is a newcomer to the American
stage, Rejanne played in Jacques
Abran," a play from his pen, when
It was produced in Paris a number
Of years ago and to the leading role
in lie Jaloux," perhaps his most
famous work, no less a parsonage
than Duse lent her incompatible
art. This play was afterward taken
on. tour through various European
capitals by Suzanne. .Despres, an
other celebrated French actress.
Prince Bibesco is also known in
French letters for his translation
of some of the works of the IA
nous British writer Galsworthy,
notably La Domaine" which had
wide circulation. in France. In
Geed, although the blood of "ro-
mantle Run1ania" flows in their
veins, the culture of the Bibescos
has been French for several gen.
erations and the house has oc-
cupied an important place in
French life and literature. Prince
Antoine himself was born and ed,
ucated in France and speaks
French with his English wife, the
daughter of Herbert Asquith,
sometime British prime minister,
and of Margot Tenant Asquith.
Several Generations Of BibescOs
Have Contributed to French Letters,
Cosmopolitan" is the adjective
which, next to picturesque, best
describes Prince Bibesco. He knowl
his London as well as his Paris and
he is very happy and very much
at home in Washington. 1t was
at the personal instigation Of the
late King Edward VII that Prince
Bibesco. who had previously been
attached to the Rumanian lega
ton in Paris, was transferred to
London. He enjoyed, royal favor
there to a remarkable degree, when
| "A fnd ~ hak
Asquith. Queen Mother Alexandra
| godmother for their only daughter
the little Princess Priscilla Bibesco
The Bibescos have for several
generations played their part in the
literary world. Prince Antoine's
history of his own father, Prince
George Bibesco, who was elected
Hospodar or Prince by the people
Of Wallachia and Moldavia, nov
part OF the modern kingdom 81
Rumania and who civilized the
country and made 1t over into g
European state. An uncle, also
George Bibesco, was an eminent
military historian who, among Other
works, wrote a thrilling account Of
the Inflated French expedition into
Mexico under Napoleon l.
A cousin, the Countess de Noailles
Is one of the most distinguished OF
French contemporary poets. An
other cousin, Princess Marthe Bi
besco, has published the memoirs
Of the Princess de Chimay. natural
daughter of the great Napoleon
And Prince Antoine's mother, the
Princess Helene, had one of the
most brilliant literary salons OF
Paris IN the last quarter of the
\ nineteenth century.