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| Wednesday, 2 June 2004 |
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The tempestuous Sarah Bernhardt by Caryl Nugara Sarah Bernhardt is possibly the most remarkable actress on stage at her time, having played different roles. She was sensational and captivated the audience emotionally. She abandoned herself to the parts she acted and many people believed she was an elaborate, unpredictable and dramatic character in the world of theatre. Born in Paris (1844) to a Dutch mother and French father, her parents realized the talent of acting in her and enroled her at the Conservatoire to study. She acted very well in her first play and enthraled the Parisians. Frontic students gifted her with bouquets and others composed poems about her. She carried away prizes for comedy and tragedy as well. She played a small part in Racine's Iphigene (1862) and followed it up with some delightful acting as a romantic minstrel boy, Zanetto in Francois Coppee's "Le Passant". A reviewer of drama noted her delicate tender charm and called her the "divine Sarah with the voice of gold." The fascinated audience commended her highly and welcomed her presence on stage. Turmoil While acting in George Sands "L" Autre", (1870) the Franco-Prussian War broke out. In the midst of turmoil and frenzy she was unperturbed. She looked after wounded soldiers and nursed those who were dying with compassion at the Odean Theatre which she converted into a hospital. When the war was over and the seige of Paris ended, she lifted the spirit of her people and brought gaiety back by acting in Victor Hugo's "Ruy Blas" as the queen. The nobility and graciousness needed in this part was wonderfully acted. The long silver robe she wore draped her figure elegantly making her appearance noble and worthy. She acted her part in 'Tosca' in a distinctive manner and was invited to travel to London for a production there in 1879. She also played leading parts in plays written by Alexander Dumas. She acted triumphantly in "Fedora" and "Theodora" created by V. Sardou, revealing her theatrical talent. The turbulent, cruel character she played as "Medie" was so profound that the audience was awe-struck. A Czech artist deeply inspired painted a poster of her holding on to the blood-stained sword with her helpless victim fallen dead at her feet. Tragedienne Her greatest role as a tragedienne, Phedre was in Hugo's classical drama "Hernani". She was practically obsessed with her part and gave herself up completely to act as a forlorn and distressed young girl. Her fragility, soft laments and statuesque appearance were so true to life that people adored and worshipped her. She herself confessed that the resonation in the spiritual part of her, the throbbing of her heart and the tears that dribbled down her cheeks came naturally. At the end of the performance she left the stage emotionally drained out and fully convinced that she was in fact the character Phedre. In London, she played a beguiling part as Mrs. Clarkson in Hugo's 'L' Etrangere'. She was the captivating charmer using her magical feminine power to attract, delight and then destroy the men who came into her life. In 1879 she went to Folkestone (England) where she was met by Oscar Wilde. He was so enchanted with her that he 'cast an armful of lilies' at her feet and seemed to be in love with her, nevertheless G. B. Shaw the writer, had quite a different opinion about her. He thought she was pretentious and her acting un-natural and insincere. She eventually abandoned the Comedie Francais and went abroad with her own repertory company. Her performances were so distinctive and so dramatic that Emperor Pedro II never missed even one of her plays. Her portrayal of Hamlet in 1899 caused dissention because she caused a change in Hamlet's personality. She made him gay and humorous. In 1911 she acted again as a queen in "La Reine Elizabeth" in a film which brought her some wealth. She was also a talented artist and sculptor and studied anatomy in the Paris Medical School. In the latter part of her life she set up a queer studio where stuffed vultures, skulls, skeletons and grotesque creatures were kept in order. Her bed was supposed to be in the shape of a coffin lined with pink silk, perfumed and quilted with love letters. Sarah died in 1923 while rehearsing a play. Thus ended the life of a conceited and tempestuous actress. People loved and worshipped her as an idol and the stage was where they reversed her. **** Back **** |
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