The Bal des Ardents (Ball of the Burning Men), also called Bal des Sauvages (Ball of the Wild Men)
by the Master of Anthony of Burgundy (c. 1470s)
Showing a dancer in the wine vat in the foreground, Charles huddling under the Duchess of Berry's skirt at middle left, and burning dancers in the centre.
The Waltons were Right -- History of the Charivari
Have you heard of this? I found it in Carol Bennet McCuaig’s book Invisible Women- Deb Shea
A few weeks ago I watched and Episode of The Waltons called The Shiveree. Shivaree, or chivaree, was a traditional Mountain folk custom staged during the first night that a bride and groom, following the honeymoon, moved into their new residence (even if it happened to be with relatives in their old…
Une journée à Arras avec le copain Philippe : un resto savoyard-chti au menu plantureux (pour moi, un gratin de crozets) vers la Grand-Place, aux belles façades de style baroque flamand (reconstruites à l'identique après les ravages de 14-18)... Quasiment toutes ont une cave dont l'accès se fait par un escalier extérieur.
Source: Le Charivari, 13 October 1862
Translation by: me (should I start putting this on all my translated posts?)
First Performances Abroad
The censor, as we know, has forbidden the play Les Misérables. This play cannot be put on in Paris. But Belgium, that liberal and hospitable land, has opened its doors to the exile’s play.
The first performance of Les Misérables will take place shorty in Brussels and all the Parisian press will convene there. Don’t believe that only the critics will go see this play, which cannot fail to obtain the greatest success. A considerable number of people will leave each day for Belgium in order to watch this play.
The 30,000 copies of the book were printed; the play will be performed 200 times.
Why not go to Bruxelles when the train trip is so prompt; one leaves in the morning after breakfast and one arrives in the evening for dinner.
But, some will object, the trip is expensive.
The northern railroad is hastening to organize pleasure trains for spectators. A moderately small sum will see messieurs Paul Meurice and Charles Hugo’s play and will be able to visit Belgium. Isn’t that charming?
As the censor is becoming more and more rigid, shortly all authors will have their work put on in Belgium, – those who are banned, that is. In this way, the best works will be put on in Brussels. Poor Paris, what will be left there! Henceforth, when a play is refused by the censor, the author will no longer rip out his hair.
“My comedy has just been banned,” he will hasten to tell everyone.
“Is that what is making you so joyous?”
“Certainly, the committee trembled while reading my play.”
“So there are some truly strong things in it?”
“The censor trembles over so little! But I hope that my comedy will produce a very strong effect the day of its first performance.”
“But it has been banned!”
“That’s true; but I am taking it tonight to Belgium…I am offering you a ticket for the first show.”
All authors who have been victims of the severity of the censor are in the greatest joy. Yesterday night I encountered 18 who were turning up with their literary baggage at the Gard du Nord. They were leaving to have their banned plays put on.
One must hope that authors will be permitted to glue on the walls of Paris posters advertising shows in the theaters of Brussels, so that the public can know what is being played in this or that theater, as well as the hour at which the show will begin. The posters will be designed like this:
THEATRE DE LA MONNAIE
First performance of The Guilty Girl, a comedy in five acts.
Nota bene. – The Parisian censors cut this play from the first act to the last. They did not permit anything but the title. We are therefore counting on a great success.
And also:
THEATRE DES GALERIES SAINT-HUBERT
103rd performance of The French Revolution, a drama in 5 acts and 12 tableaus.
Nota bene (always) – This play would have been put on in the Theatre Imperial du Chatelet, but when the censors became aware, 3 out of 6 had an apoplectic attack. This play is on it’s 103rd performance and the hall is always full.
These signs posted in Paris will be very useful. But that will not be enough, it will also be necessary that there be an office located at the landing of the northern railroad, because it would be disagreeable to go to a play in Belgium, only to arrive and be told that there are no more places. But a bureau established in Paris and the electric telegraph will be there to avoid that inconvenience.
These performances abroad deserve our endorsement, but there is one thing to fear: that Parisian husbands will take advantage of it.
When he wants to amuse himself, he will tell his wife that he intends to go to the Theatre de la Monnaie with his friends. And this joker could very well not return home for three days, all while never leaving Paris. One must be suspicious of husbands, to them all pretexts are fair.
Also, Madame, if monsieur your husband tells you that he intends to go see a performance of Les Misérables, ask that he reserve two seats, one for him and one for you.
A. Bremond.