"THE DIVINE SARAH."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1091, 1 April 1911, Page 11

" THE DIVINE SARAH."

WHY NO AUSTRALIAN VISIT. There is ono noto of disappointment and regret in tho interviews with Mr. J. U Williamson, sinco tho return of tho big theatrical manager. Successful in. many ; things Mr. Williamson had to lcavo Europe without completing his arrangements for tho proposed Bernhardt tour of Australia. With pleasant memories of her visit to this part of the world twenty years ago, Madame Sarah Bernhardt was willing to sign another contract with Mr. Williamson. Tho French company, who have been giving tho star actress a lot of trouble in the United Sta cs, blocked the negotiations. "I could not keep tl em in hand so far away from France, «as tho last message oi Madame Bernhardt to the Australian manager. •'*Thon»h Bernhardt is an old woman (=avs "Current Literature"), "she has the grace of motion of a young one. She combines inexhaustible energy and unrivalled strength of character with a most exquisite artistic talent which she can direct into all tho branches ol tho Asked recently why she played male parts, tho actress replied: 'Because I have played them so long, and because they are much more interesting to me than woman characters. Men think more and have more ideas than women, who have only love, maternity, and sorrow as phases of their daily lives. Every woman as a rule goes through these various conditions, and when you have- once pc-r----traved them there is nothing else. I like a change, and that is" why I play male •parts. Hamlet was ti-man. L'Aigloa was only a bov, but ho was'a spiritual, and pathetic figure and very interesting to A month ago when Madame Bernhardt fainted during a performance, of "C'anulle one of tins Now' York papers published this cheerful paragraph:—"Men and women are talking.about the'uncanny youthfulness of Sarah Bernhardt. Although Ihe great actress is preparing to appear as Mephistophelcs in a new dramatic version of 'Faust,' when she returns to Paris, she fears that she may dio betore she has had time to grow old. She is haunted by a conviction that she will die • on her present tour in America; in consequence of.which sho lias negotiated for a new coffin. For a long time a coffin has formed part of her luggage. At any rate she has acquired a new one in. which sho has almost persuaded herself sho will no conveyed to her resting-place in France." ' These'are what the. great actress and wonderful, woman calls her Ten Commandments: — 1. Have one chief, absorbing interest In life.' " 2. Have 'other interests—"littlo inter-ests'-'—of-life to keep you from becoming one-sided. 3. Decide what are t'no essentials of your- life,, and concontrato upon them. i. Decide .what are tho non-essentials and disregard them. 5. Be.interested in everything that happeusi for the moment, but do not let the interest become too deep. 6. Eat what you like and when you like; but not as much as you like. 7. Drink much water and lemonade. 8. Sleep whenever, wherever, you aro sleepy. P. Stop to rest for a minute many times a day. ' These little rests prolong life. 10. Find your work—then regard that work as a pleasure—not a penalty.