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Updated: May 10, 2025
"On the night of January 11, 1883, the theatre was radiant with an expectant audience half convinced in advance by the record of the Union Square's past, but by the same token exacting to a merciless degree to see their old friends in the first performance in America of 'A Parisian Romance. "Mansfield made his entrance as the Baron Chevrial within a few moments after the rise of the curtain.
"When Chevrial, finding himself alone with Tirandel and Laubaniere, exposed his amusingly cynical views of life and society, some attention was paid to a remarkable portrait of a polished, but coarse, gay, though aging, voluptuary. The scene was short and he was soon off, though not without a little impudent touch, in passing the maid in the doorway, that did not slip unnoticed.
But he soon changed to straight drama, and the first great success of his career was as Baron Chevrial in "A Parisian Romance," a part which was given him after other actors had refused to take it, and in which he created a real sensation. His reputation was secure after that, and grew steadily until the swift and complete collapse from over-work, which ended his life at the age of fifty-one.
His gaiety is not a prerogative of the demi-monde, but the usufruct of all classes. Joy is not exclusive or solitary with the Viennese. He is not ashamed of his frolics and hilarities. He does not take his pleasures hypocritically after the manner of the Occidental moralist. He is a gay bird, a sybarite, a modern Lucullus, a Baron Chevrial and admits it.
The stern rod of discipline was held over him every moment and often fell with unforgetable severity. He was trained by autocrats in a school of experience more autocratic than anything known to the younger actors of this generation. "When the part of Chevrial was given to him, Mansfield was fascinated with his opportunity, but he kept his counsel.
"The gay throng about the table echoed the toast: To Plutus and a million! and Chevrial continued: "'While I am up I will give a second toast: 'Here's to Rosa! The most splendid incarnation that I know! "Placing the glass to her lips for a first sip, the lecherous old pagan's own lips sought the spot, sipped, and he sank back into his chair.
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