Dress Rehearsal of the French Play.

Last Saturday the Cercle Francais gave a dress rehearsal of its annual theatricals at Brattle Hall. The play produced this year is Moliere's "Bourgeois Gentilhomme." The rehearsal went off very well as a whole, though at times it dragged a little owing to the necessity of interruptions for coaching. The players have been considerably retarded in their preparation by the illness of Professor de Sumichrast, so that they were not quite as well prepared as usual, but after an extra rehearsal that took place Sunday morning, the production bids fair to go off very smoothly at the first production.

The production occupied nearly three hours and as a result seemed rather long drawn out. When it is given regularly, however it will be condensed considerably.

The acting on the whole was very good, though rather irregular, but considering that the Cercle has lost the services of three of last year's principal characters, Knoblauch, Schurz and Pitts, it was very satisfactory. The play chosen, however, is apt to lag a little in places, though some of the situations are extremely good.

H. Warren Cram, as M. Jourdain, carries through a difficult part with considerable ability. His accent, too, is good, though not as perfect as some of the others. H. W. Welch, however, who takes the part of his wife is not so strong and his accent is rather rough. Lucille, too, whose part is taken by J. W. Frothingham '99, is a little awkward in her movements. On the other hand, E. L. Dudley, as Nicole, the servant, is very good indeed, her laughter when she first comes on being absolutely contagious. R. L. Hoguet, who takes the part of both Cleonte and the Maitre a Dances, is excellent and has a perfect accent. G. E. Hill also, though he speaks indistinctly, is very well adapted to the part of the Maitre de Philosophie.

Some of the songs which should prove very good were omitted, but all the dances were tried successfully. They are all very well executed and catchy, the shepherd dance in the first act being especially good.

The first regular performance will be in Brattle Hall tonight at 8 o'clock.