"LES CATHEDRALES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2701, 22 February 1916, Page 3

"LES CATHEDRALES

Madame Sarah Bernhardt is with us again, and probably she has never received' a more enthusiastic welcome than has been accorded her in London, states the London correspondent of the Sydney "Daily Telegrapli." Daily and nightly the Coliseum is packed to the doors to hear the great actrcss. On the first night she was almost buried in flowers, and at length, in tnswer to ringing cheers, rose to thank her vast audience.

But, indeed, one is at liberty to believe that the tribute paid was not wholly an acknowledgment of the power and charm of an - enchantress. "Les Cathedrales" seems scarcely a mere play, and beyond a doubt the passion and hatred that burnt in Mme. Bernliardt's declamation were' no simulated emotions.. This time she is v oicing the living wrongs of outraged peoples, and claiming the vengeance which alone can assuage our wrath. The applause was partly Britain's confirmation of her words.

Tile curtain rises on a nondescript kind of scene with an alpine chasseur lying on the stafje. The back cloth lifts to reveal the spirit of Notre Dame and those of'five other great cathedrals— stately. _ seated figures in severe robes and white wimples. They near the chimes of Strassburg; then again the scene changes, showing shattered Reims in flames, while the spirit of Strassburg (Mme. Bernhardt) tells the tale of her captivity. The tremendous passion of the actress's voice, accentuated by that singular rasp with which she speaks in rage, was indeed terrifying. Wo hear, too, the "Carillons" of "Belgium's ravished cathedrals, and the songs of the soldiers of France. The tale of ■ Strassburg's agony ends with' tlio confident assurance of victory and the great cry: "Aufc Arinesl"

Mine. Bernhardt seems incapable of growing old. She is apparently well in health, and spirits, and when" she entertains at the Savoy it is iaid to be with all her old "fire and fun and grace." She is ready to discourse of the Paris stage of the past 50 years, and says that at present the most pop~ ular plays there are "L'Aiglon" and "Cyrano do Beregerac." After the war sho forotclls a great vo"ue for the drama—especially in its lofty, goctic form.

The dark streets of London—so much worse than those of Paris—have impressed her considerably, if unpleasantly. She wonders why England, the quixotically chivalrous., was uico called "perfide Albion," and her comments on Germany ave good hearing—to any but Germans 1 Mrs. Massey has kindly consented to be hostess at the Soldiers' Room on Wednesday evening next, in place of Mrs. liernot, who is unable to take charge that night. On Saturday evening the New Zealand Natives' Association Ladies' Guild will take the place of Mrs. D. M. Findlay and Mrs. Coull. Mrs. Cooke has returned to Wellington from a brief visit to Masterton. Subscriptions on behalf of the New Zealand Women's Anti-German League have been received by the .hon, treasurer as follows:—"A Sympathiser," £10; Mrs. A. Anderson, 10s.; Lady Wilson and daughters, 75.; Mrs. Samuels, 55.; Mrs. Aldwell, 55.; Mrs. Carter, 55.; others, £2 ss.