A FALLING STAR.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1246, 30 September 1884, Page 3

A FALLING STAR.

In the course of a letter to an Australian paper Mr Archibald Forbes alludes to the production in Loudon of “ Macbeth ” by Sarah Bernhardt, which he says was a dismal failure. He then goes on to write about “ dt'v;”" ” Sarah as follows The tru,)' is i..at, Sarah Bernhardt is going tu the dogs. I don’t mean as regards her character ; of that the lady never had any. But site is giving way to a vice that is already making shipwreck of her powers as an actress. The weakness she first began to indulge in during her American tour, where the long journeys, followed immediately by performances, are excessively trying to excitable organisations. It is killing work, an American winter theatrical campaign, and the strain of it sooner or later tells on the strongest. Poor John Macchullougb, the most popular tragedian of the States, is now a premature wreck, a victim to softening of the brain. Sarah’s state was noticed more than once towards the end of her American tour, and in her vicissitudes since she returned she has committed herself several times in different parts of Europe, although the matter has been kept quiet. The other night in “ Ruy Bias ” she was really very bad indeed. “ Motionless and inexpressive ” was the kind language in which the kind critic described her. Her “indifference” was simply the most obvious stupefaction ; she could barely articulate ; she did not dare to gesticulate, but stood at the table like a statue—all but holding on to it, indeed. When, just before the curtain falls, she should have thrown herself passionately on the body of her lover, what she did was this : She let go of the table with a placid sort of drop, and began drivellingly to fumble about the head of Ruy Bias. It was time the curtain fell on this travestie of an emotional scene.”