London at the End of the Century:A Book of Gossip
a Beckett, Arthur William
1900
ENGLISH ACTORS IN PARIS.
Of course you have an inclination to visit the theatres. But just now there is nothing new save the last play by Sardou, and a rather naughty piece of magic nonsense. I am in , and what are they playing? Why, any number of revivals. And in all not a single English piece, not a single English actor! Certainly British histrions are at a discount just now in the city of Corneille and Moliere! | |
The last time that an Anglo-Saxon actor made a stand in was, I fancy, when Sothern went over | |
312 | to during the Exhibition year of , and played . It was not a success. I am not quite sure whether this appearance was prior or subsequent to the of Charles Mathews in . By the way, I have heard a good story told about this last-mentioned piece. I fancy it was originally written by an Englishman (I think Blanchard Jerrold, son of Douglas), and played in London, then translated into French, then re-translated back into English under the title of As Cool as a Cucumber; then re-translated again into French when Charles Mathews accepted his Parisian engagement. I remember hearing Charles Mathews saying that his brother actors were utterly surprised at the way he rehearsed the play. In his days it was the custom to merely walk through the part, indicating in the faintest manner the The French, on the contrary, rehearsed everything as if they, had a critical audience in front of them instead of an empty auditorium. On his fellow actors were astounded at success, and I am glad to say gratified. But I must not talk about the drama in , as I have to get back to work in town. |
