| Title: | Pierre le Rouge |
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| Description: | Scene from Pierre le Rouge at the St. James Theatre. |
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| Theatre: | St. James |
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| Source: | The Illustrated London News, Feb 1, 1845, p. 73 |
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| See Source: | Go to Source Images (7.6 MB) |
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| Review: | The Illustrated London News, Feb 1, 1845, p. 73 |
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THE FRENCH PLAYS.
The season of these very attractive performances commenced on Monday,
having been postponed from the preceding week, as first announced in the
programme. The opening of the French theatrical campaign is, in the
dramatic world, what the first primrose is in the natural one--the sign
that winter is on the turn, and that preparations are being made to
herald in the spring. The migratory birds of fashion collect
together again--some from the Continent, others from provincial
hibernacula, and others from living through the winter at the backs of
their houses, that the blinds might be down, and the shutter-knobs
papered in the front, to gain at least the credit of being out of
town. Tho occupants of the boxes at the French plays no longer wish
their attendance to remain a secret to the world on account of the
unfashionable period but swell the lists of the distinguished personages
reported as having visited the performances during the week.
The opening of the St. James's Theatre is the avant courier of the
Opera; and, simultaneously with it, the West-end begins to show signs of
returning animation.
The house on Monday evening was excellently attended, every box being
filled, and the other parts of the house showing few vacant places.
Contrary to the usual custom of putting up some insignificant farce,
supported by second-rate performers, to "play the audience in,"
M. Lafont, of the Variétés, and Mdlle. Nathalie both appeared in the
first piece--a pleasant vaudeville, entitled, "Le Mari à la Ville et
la Femme à la Campagne." The title of the play may suggest some of
the incidents, which were exceedingly light, but sufficiently amusing to
keep the audience in great good humour; at the same time, it was admirably
played throughout. The drama which followed, called "Pierre le
Rouge," is exceedingly interesting, embracing three epochs--before,
during, and after the Revolution; and in this the capabilities of the new
performers were admirably developed. They at once established
themselves as favourites, and were warmly applauded, being called for at
the end of the piece. With respect to M. Lafont, however, it was
rather a reappearance than a début. Some of our readers may
remember to have seen him in the same piece at the Lyceum some years
back. Mdlle. Nathalei, as Jeanneton, made a decided impression on
the audience. She is a valuable actress.
The prospectus of the season looks well. Mr. Mitchell promises
us many of our old favourites, including Achard, Madame Albert, and Mdlle.
Plessy together with Frederic Lemaitre, and M. Arnal. It is
likewise stated that Alexander Dumas has written a comedy, expressly for
the company and will be over here to superintend its production,
The engraving shows that scene of Pierre le Rouge, in which Pierre
tears the unmerited wreath from the head of Jeanneton.
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