Premiere of 'To Live Without Expecting Death'
The Young Theatre at 17 Provizna Street will premiere the play 'To Live Without Expecting Death' on March 22. Based on the work by John Murrell, this production dramatizes the final summer in the life of the legendary French actress Sarah Bernhardt, renowned for her commanding stage presence and immense contributions to the performing arts. This premiere offers a rare theatrical exploration of a pivotal moment in the life of a true icon.
The Remarkable Journey of Sarah Bernhardt
Born Rosine Bernard on October 22, 1844, in Paris, Sarah Bernhardt was the daughter of a courtesan and a French naval officer. She spent her first five years with a wet-nurse before her education at Madame Fressard's boarding school and the Grand-Champ convent. By age 14, she had entered the Paris Conservatoire, setting the stage for her future fame.
Her professional debut came in 1862 at the Comédie-Française, playing Iphigenia. Bernhardt later signed with the Théâtre de l'Odéon and, in 1880, formed her own touring company. This troupe performed in Denmark, England, and the United States, staging 156 performances of eight plays over seven months, including:
- 'Hernani'
- 'Phèdre'
- 'Adrienne Lecouvreur'
- 'Froufrou'
- 'The Lady of the Camellias'
- 'Sphinx'
- 'L'Étrangère'
- 'Princesse Georges'
In the U.S., she met Thomas Edison, who recorded her voice on his phonograph. She purchased the Théâtre de la Renaissance in 1893 and, in 1898, the theatre at the Place du Châtelet, renaming it the Théâtre Sarah-Bernhardt. A pioneer of film, she became the first actress to star in a silent movie, playing Hamlet in 1900. In 1905, she directed 'Esther,' a production featuring an all-female cast.
Key events in her later life included a 1915 on-stage injury that led to the amputation of her leg and her triumphant return to the stage in 1922 in Edmond Rostand's 'La Gloire.' During the Franco-Prussian War, she converted the Odéon into a military hospital. Her life was marked by notable relationships, including with the Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VII). She received gifts such as a yacht from King Christian of Denmark and a family estate from Duke Frederick.
Sarah Bernhardt left an indelible mark on theatre. The celebrated French author Victor Hugo once said of her:
'Madame! You were magnificent in your grandeur. You moved me, an old soldier. I wept. I give you the tear you wrung from my heart, and I bow before you.'
The premiere of 'To Live Without Expecting Death' promises to be a significant event for theatre enthusiasts and admirers of Sarah Bernhardt's legacy. The play not only honors her extraordinary career but also highlights her lasting influence on theatrical art. Her life remains a powerful symbol of resilience and creative genius, continuing to inspire performers today. This production at The Young Theatre provides a unique opportunity for audiences to engage with the story of a true theatrical pioneer and reflect on the enduring importance of preserving artistic heritage.