1900
First performed: April 28, 1898
PERSONS REPRESENTED.
Marquis de Malrevanche .
Laurent , Lieutenant of Chausseurs.
Kadoc , Sergeant.
Jacques Sage , Corporal.
Dr. Rodellec .
Yvonne of Guimperle , called Queen of the Pétroleuses.
Claire , Contesse de St. Lunaire.
Nicollette , her maid.
Thymette , Pétroleuse.
Marton , Pétroleuse.
Jeanne , Pétroleuse.
AT THE BARRICADE
Was originally produced at a benefit performance, at the Hollis Street Theatre, on April 28, 1898. Mr. William Farnum was the " Laurent "; Mrs. Emma Sheridan-Fry, the " Yvonne "; Miss Carrie Keeler the " Claire ."
The play was later presented by Mr. Franklin Sargent, at a Pupils' Matinee of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, December 14, 1899.
Before the curtain rises the orchestra plays a series of French airs: "Sur le Pont d'Avignon;" "L'Amour fait le monde à le ronde;" "Partant pour la Syrie;" at last striking into the Marsellaise, which is repeated with rapidly increasing tempo and emphasis. Behind the curtain a tocsin is heard; shouts; the noises of a swiftly rising émeute; a drum-roll; cries; shots; at first scattering, then a fusillade; the curtain rises on the last moment of a fight at a barricade in the Quartier Latin, in 1871. At the left of stage, half-way back, set at an angle, is a "barricade," roughly thrown up, of paving stones, a cart, broken furniture dragged from houses, gates, and the like. A man lies dead, fallen across it face forward. Another lies dead in foreground. There are wounded men and women, some regular soldiers, some revolutionaires, lying or sitting about the stage. At the right of stage, two-thirds back, there is a high, blank brick wall, as to a courtyard. Dr. Rodellec is examining the dead and wounded: by his gestured order, the wounded are lead and the dead carried away. At the right of the stage, at the back, a group of Pétroleuses, Thymette, Jeanne, Marton, are being bound, their arms behind them, by two soldiers, under direction of Jacques Sage; Laurent is watching them. He is dishevelled and powder-stained; there is a tear in his uniform just above the heart. The women are bloodstained, with disordered dress and hair. After a few moments of such animated pantomime as that above indicated, Doctor Rodellec crosses to Laurent, and as he speaks, they come down, centre, together. Rodellec is adjusting his cuffs, putting back instruments in case, etc.
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( From this point there arise, gradually, the sounds of a rising émeute; drum-roll, shots, shouts, the tocsin, and the Marsellaise; but faint at first, and very distant .)
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( There is a cry without. Nicollette enters, struggling in the grasp of François. She is weeping with fear. Yvonne follows; she twists François's hands from Nicollette, who throws herself sobbing at Claire's knees .)
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( Kadoc, entering, brings a folded paper to Laurent, who opening, reads. Yvonne laughs with the women as the soldiers bind her arms .)
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( Squarely facing him .)
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( Laurent advances to Yvonne, and begins to unbind her arms, straining at the twists of the ropes. He is tensely white .)
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( Yvonne throws her left arm about Laurent's neck, and kisses him full and long on the lips. With her right hand she swiftly and softly takes his pistol from his belt. Releasing him, she faces him, holding the pistol behind her .)
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( There comes a mad rush of revolutionaires and soldiers. The Pétroleuses are released. Jeanne cries "Pierre! my Pierre!" as a stalwart soldier catches her in his arms. He bears her off, fainting. Thymette rushes forward, a knife in her hand. She kneels to Claire, catching and kissing the hem of her gown .)
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( She rushes out, the fight swirling after her. The Marquis stands quite erect, for a moment, the hand that holds the lace handkerchief pressed hard against his wounded side. He removes it, and glances at it, his face clouded by a slight spasm, as he sees it is stained with his life-blood. He opens his hand and the handkerchief flutters down to the floor .)
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( Laurent rushes back, the flag in his hand. He plants the flag on the barricade. He hastens to Claire, catching her hand and kissing it, in an ecstasy of passionate relief at finding her safe. She points to the dead Marquis. He comes down, his sword in hand, and stands looking at his dead father, in a kind of daze. Claire comes softly down, and slips her hand into his. He lifts his hat from his head, as if unconsciously, looking down still at the dead man .)
( Curtain .)