Article on the French Theatre, 1862-June 1865

Begins with the news that the former Figaro-Programme, the unofficial publication of the Theatre Francais, has now been incorporated into the CEU. Makes a balance of the season of French theater (including operetta and vaudeville) at the Théâtre Français. “During the 1862-63 season, 52 works were performed. In 1863-1864, 63 works were performed 68 times. In the present season, 1864/1865, M. Juignet’s company has performed:

               5 dramas (24 acts)

               22 comedies (49 acts)

               23 vaudevilles (30 acts)

               4 opérettes (4 acts)

               Total: 107 acts

               Our artists have given a total of 83 performances:

               54 in New York

               4 at M. Jerôme’s (“chez Jerome”)

               17 in Boston

               8 in Philadelphia

“The repertory has had quite a lot of variety. Some of the most successful works include: La Poudre aux Yeux, Nos Alliés, Les Deux Timides (performed 9 times each); Le Marquis de Villemer, Maître Guérin, Elle est Folle, Les Chansons Populaires,La Cagnotte,  L’Homme n’est pas Parfait have been performed more than once.”

     [To my knowledge, the following are vaudevilles or operettas : Maître Guérin, La Cagnotte (performed in March and April)]

“The company is made up of 25 artists, 14 male and 11 female. The article mentions the following as the public’s favorite artists: Mlle Larmet (comedies), M. Larmet (dramas), M. Gravier (comedies), M. Chol (comedies), Juignet, Edgard, Jourdan, Rousseau, Constant, Mlles. Bergeon, Eleonore, Anna Hamburg, Aline Delange, Nathalie Dumas, Solanges, etc” [It is difficult to be sure about who performed in vaudevilles and operettas]. The article foresees a great future for French theater in its projected new quarters in New York :“There will be a true French Theater; a bigger theater will offer more resources… more people will work [for the company] and thus more genres, to everyone’s taste, will be offered. The Opéra comique, that delicious genre that is so dear to all of us, will be eventually implanted in New York”. Criticism about some small things that could have worked better is put aside for as moment and Juignet’s “work, struggles, and results” are greatly praised. Finally, the end of the war (“four tempestuous years”) will bring more prosperity to the French Theater. The article is signed “CH. VILLA”. Usually, only initials are given.