Reception of Madame Sara Bernhardt.

Evening Post, Volume XLI, Issue 139, 15 June 1891, Page 4

Reception of Madame Sara Bernhardt.

4. , (Sydnoy Evening News.) Tho steamer Monowai, with Sara. Bornhardt and company on board, arrived in Sydney and anchored at tho wharf at tho foot of Margaret-street. About 10 o'clock the steamer Daphne, chartered by the executive committee, with about 200 passengers aboard, loft Circular-quay and sailed round to the Monowai) in order to welcome tho famous actress to our shores. Mr. D. O'Connor (Postmaster-General), in presonting an address, said ho had very much pleasure in making a presentation on behalf of the ladios and gentlemen of Sydnoy. It was only natural that she (Madame Bernhardt) would feol strange in a strange country ; but in this country she would meet with a people who would make her forget that she was a stranger. Tke people of Sydney regardod her visit amongst them & great favour. He was pleased to say .that her countrymen, representing the warmheartedness of her dear country, La Belle Prance, vied with eaoh other ingreating hor. Dr. De Londalo and H. Kowaliki also spoke, tho former gentleman presenting a basket of flowers on bohalf of the members of tho oxeontivo committoo. Madame Bornhardt thon went on board the Daphno and steamed round to Circular-quay, whoro a crowd of about 1500 persons had ossombled. Tho party thon drove to the Grosvonor Hotel. Madamo Bovnhardt, to her everlasting sorrow, has had to liavo her do#« quarantined. Our visitor, Sara Bernhardt, who comes fresh from appearing in San Francisco (is Cleopatra, Joan of Arc, and La Tosca, was interviewed recently by a well-known lady journalist, who boa the advantage of speaking FroDch fluently and being' weil up in Paris dramatic affairs. Mme. Sara was described as being to visitors contrary to what has sometimos been reported of her — remarkablo for repose of manner and avoidance of small theatrical arts. Sho woars her { hair, whioh is of a Titian red, in an enormous mass ovor hor forehead. Her eyos aro quick and penetrating, and her month small and smiling. On the occasion of tho interviow sho woro .a long princesse gown', loose at the waist in ' front, and hold somewhat in shape with a leathern girdle. Tho sleeves of plain blno silk were large and full at top and resembled the darts of the Gaiety dancers. Tho 'nether halves of the sleeves woro as tight S3 if glnod to tho skin, and woro almost long enough to cover tho knucklos. The actross was attended, somewhat to the reporter's t9rror, by a huge Danish dog, but both it and a diminutive, terrier seemed to be of equaolo disposition. She spoko moreover of keeping pet serponts, but as tiicso noxious beasts were already (this was in America) suffering from loss of appetite, it is to be hoped they have not snrvivod to reach Australia. Mme. Bernhardt spoke of the serpents as "poor things," and then passed to theatrical and personal gossip. She said that she spoke English now, but -that she read much better than she spoko, and did not pay much attention to the study

of English, as she found talking it much Hpoilod hor French accent. Before the first representation of a piece Mine. Uernhardt sayH she is still unutterably miserable— .so nervous that she hardly knows how she can get through the evening, and unable to eat or Bleep for days and nights before. Mme. Bernhardt does not know which of her partß she likes best. In Pans she might like one, in London another— " * Camille,' ' Phedre,' ' Joan of Arc,' La Toaca' — it depends." She thinks she likes tho one that at the time brings the greatest success . The actress said of her Cleopatra gowns that they were " enchanting." They arc pieces of stuff wound round the figure, after the manner of tho anoiont Egyptians, and hold up by clasps and buckles. Some of tho rich embroidered fabrics were bought in Egypt, BOino in Paris, and some given by artistic friends. As Cleopatra, Mme. Bernhardt lias to darken her hair and to stain her arms, neck and face with saffron, which takes Home time to put on and longer to take off. She never wears jewellery, except onthe stage. Sho travels with 550 chesses, besides cloaks and coats. Her baggage consists of 55 enormous trunks, or in all 137 pieces of baggage. She oschews corsets and highheclcd boots. She will not name her favourite author for fear of offending the others, but seems to believe that Cloopatra, by Sardou, is much superior to that drawn by Shakespeare. Of her parts, Joan of Arc and La Tosca are the most fatiguing— tho latter for the voice. She says she prefers both painting and sculpture to acting.