In 1910, Thomas G. Moses wrote, “Mme. Sarah Bernhardt bought the nucleus of several plays. We contracted to fill the necessary scenes to make her plays complete, which amounted to over $7,000.00. Our first one was ‘L’Aiglon.’ At the close of her engagement, we did a special production of “Judas” which was produced in New York City. I had to visit her every morning at her hotel to arrange the models for ‘Judas.’ I had to talk through an interpreter. She was very nice about everything and seemed pleased when I would catch her idea quickly. After she had produced the play she sent a telegram, thanking us for the brilliant success of the scenery – no trouble to please a person of Bernhardt’s class, but a rough neck actor, like a great many I know, it is next to impossible to please.”
The amount of scenery purchased by Bernhardt in 1910 is equivalent to $188,298.53 today, a significant contract for Sosman & Landis at the time. On October 22, 1910. The necessary scenes designed by Moses and produced at the Sosman & Landis studio in Chicago was for Bernhardt’s seventh tour in the United States.
Newspapers reported that the trip was Sarah Bernhardt’s final tour in America. A theatrical icon, the public embraced the sixty-six-year-old actresses. Her tour began in Chicago at the Studebaker Theatre on October 31. Her first appearance was in “L’Aiglon” (The Joliet News, 12 Oct. 1910, page 4).
The first week’s bill included:
Oct. 31 – L’Aiglon
Nov. 1 – La Tosca
Nov. 2 – L’Aiglon
Nov. 2 – Les Bouffons and Las Bois Sacre
Nov. 3 – Camille
Nov. 4 – Fedore
Nov. 5 – Phedre
Nov. 5 – Jeanne d’Arc
After performing in Chicago, she traveled to New York for four weeks before beginning her cross-country tour. In 1910, Bernhardt’s repertoire included the following:
“L’Aignon” by Rostand
“Jeanne d’Arc” by Emile Moreau
“Les Buffons” by Miguel Zamacois
“Sapho” by Alphonse Daudet
“La Sorcerie” by Victor Sardou
“La Dame aux Camelias” by Dumas
“La Beffa,” “Phedre,” and “La Rampe” by Rothschild
“La Tosca” by Sardou
“La Passe” by G. de Porte-Riche
“Fedora” by Sardou
“Monna Vanna” by Maeterlinck
“Hamlet”
“Resurrection” by Bataille, from Tolstoy’s novel “Le Bois Sacre”
“Romanesques” and “La Princess Leontine” by Rostand
Prior to her departure, the French actor Le Bargy arrived during her last week of performance. He appeared with Bernhardt in both “La Princess Leontine” and “Faust.” Once the tour was completed, Berhardt returned to Paris where she began another season, opening with “La Princess Leontine” and “Faust.” The productions for both shows were made in the United States and exported to France.
To be continued…
