Constant COQUELIN aîné. L.A.S., [March 31? 1905], to Catulle Mendès; 3 1/2 pages in-8. Long and interesting letter on the day after the premiere of Scarron [Catulle Mendès's "tragic comedy" in verse, Scarron, premiered on March 29, 1905, at the Théâtre de la Gaité. Coquelin played the title role]. Coquelin defended the actress [Gilda Darthy] who played Ninon de Lenclos: "The unfortunate woman was pulled in one direction by you, in another direction by me, and I understand that she no longer knows what to do. When there is no unity of direction in the means of interpreting a role, nothing good can come of it". But Coquelin wants to convince Mendès to delete the 4th tableau; the change on sight has not succeeded, and yet "the set of the yellow room is exceptionally beautiful. No, the misfortune, the real misfortune, we realized last night, hearing the play act by act, in order. It's the picture of the supper that doesn't hold together at all, with all the characters outside the action. [...] Ninon's role has no connection with the play, which consists only of Destin and Étoile on the one hand - and Scarron, Villarceaux and Francine [Françoise d'Aubigné, Mme Scarron] on the other - and that's all. Ninon is only a confidante. After that, she's just a bedroom. It can't even be a dining room, since nothing happens there that has anything to do with the drama [...] if the 4th picture is maintained, we'll lose over 100,000 francs. Last night there was nothing but a cry against Ninon's Lent [...] because of the beauty of your work, because of my efforts, because of the care you have seen me put into everything, because of what we are risking, because of this dream I have for you of unqualified success, I adjure you to give up this painting"... Etc.