206 Madame Rejane
firm drawing, the clear design, the strong, yet supple lines of
Madame Sans-Gene.
Why has Rejane no engagement at the Comedie-Francaise ?
Whom does one 'go to applaud on this stage, called the first in
France, and from which Rejane, Sarah Bernhardt, and Coquelin
the eider, all are absent ? I will explain the matter in twowords.
The house of Moliere, for many years now, has belonged to
Moliere no more. Were Moliere to come to life again, neither
he nor Rejane would go to eat their hearts out, with inaction and
dulness, beneath the wings of M. Jules Claretie—although he is,
of course, a very estimable gentleman. Were Rejane unmarried,
Moliere to-day would enter into partnership with her, because
she is in herseif the entire Comedie-Francaise. I have already
said she is married to M. Porel, director of the Vaudeville, where
she reigns as Queen. I am quite unable to see any reason why
she should soon desert such a fortunate conjugal domicile.
Notwithstanding the dryness and the rapidity of this enumera-
tion of Rejane's roles, I hope to have given some general idea of
the marvellous diversity and flexibility of her dramatic spirit and
temperament; it seems to me that the most searching criticism of
her various creations, would not greatly enhance the accuracy of
the picture. This is why I make no attempt to describe her in
some three or four parts of an entirely different character. Besides,
I should have to draw on hearsay ; and I desire to trust only to
my own eyes, my own heart. Needless to say, I have not
had the good luck to see Madame Rejane in each of her
characterisations since her first appearance. Her youthful air has
never changed ; but I have only had the opportunity of admiring
it during the last few years. I confidently maintain, however,
that she could not have been more charning in 1875 than she is
to-day, with the devil in her body, heaven in her eyes.
firm drawing, the clear design, the strong, yet supple lines of
Madame Sans-Gene.
Why has Rejane no engagement at the Comedie-Francaise ?
Whom does one 'go to applaud on this stage, called the first in
France, and from which Rejane, Sarah Bernhardt, and Coquelin
the eider, all are absent ? I will explain the matter in twowords.
The house of Moliere, for many years now, has belonged to
Moliere no more. Were Moliere to come to life again, neither
he nor Rejane would go to eat their hearts out, with inaction and
dulness, beneath the wings of M. Jules Claretie—although he is,
of course, a very estimable gentleman. Were Rejane unmarried,
Moliere to-day would enter into partnership with her, because
she is in herseif the entire Comedie-Francaise. I have already
said she is married to M. Porel, director of the Vaudeville, where
she reigns as Queen. I am quite unable to see any reason why
she should soon desert such a fortunate conjugal domicile.
Notwithstanding the dryness and the rapidity of this enumera-
tion of Rejane's roles, I hope to have given some general idea of
the marvellous diversity and flexibility of her dramatic spirit and
temperament; it seems to me that the most searching criticism of
her various creations, would not greatly enhance the accuracy of
the picture. This is why I make no attempt to describe her in
some three or four parts of an entirely different character. Besides,
I should have to draw on hearsay ; and I desire to trust only to
my own eyes, my own heart. Needless to say, I have not
had the good luck to see Madame Rejane in each of her
characterisations since her first appearance. Her youthful air has
never changed ; but I have only had the opportunity of admiring
it during the last few years. I confidently maintain, however,
that she could not have been more charning in 1875 than she is
to-day, with the devil in her body, heaven in her eyes.