Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 348 Unprecedented and Unheard of (Supplementary Chapter)
The first act of "Thunderstorm" ended, but applause did not immediately erupt.

The audience seemed to be frozen in place, as if under a spell.

Their faces were a mixture of shock, bewilderment, contemplation, and even fear.

They witnessed an unprecedented performance and experienced a soul-stirring impact.

The impact doesn't come from exaggerated plots or sentimental lines, but from its breathtaking realism.

The tragedy on stage seems to be a condensation and reflection of the tragedies around them, or even their own families.

This reality is so real, so terrifying, that it leaves one breathless and unsure how to react.

The air seemed to freeze, and time itself seemed to slow down.

People looked at each other, seeing the same shock and disorientation in each other's eyes, their minds still seemingly trapped in the suffocating living room of the La Verne estate.

The sounds of Madame Madeleine's desperate sobs, Edward's painful silence, Antoine's naive questioning, and Laverne's cold words still seemed to echo in people's ears...

The silence lasted for a full minute, as if it were the highest tribute to the power of this drama.

Then, like a flood that had been accumulating for too long finally breaking through the dam, like the earth after hibernation welcoming the first clap of thunder in spring—

"Bravo!"

A cheer that erupted from some of the private rooms ignited the fuse.

Instantly, thunderous applause and cheers erupted, sweeping across the entire Comédie-Française!
The applause was so enthusiastic and sustained that it surpassed that of any previous performance, even exceeding the thunderous applause that "The Choir" received at the end of the entire play.

Amid applause, people stood up one after another, as if they needed to release their pent-up emotions in this way.

They clapped vigorously, their palms turning red, and some even had tears of excitement glistening in their eyes.

The audience seemed to be using their enthusiastic applause to release the pent-up frustration that had been building up over time due to the plot, and to express their appreciation for the artistic achievement of this theatrical production.

No matter how painful the content of "Thunderstorm" may have been for them, its artistic level is beyond doubt, and it can be said to far surpass any other drama of this era!
"Absolutely brilliant! Unparalleled!"

“Bernhardt! Gautier-Lüzarche! Every actor is impeccable!”

"The lighting! The set design!"

"And those real staircases and the second floor! God, I never imagined theater could be like this!"

"Lionel Sorel was a genius! He revolutionized theater!"

"This is not just a play, it's a storm of the soul!"

"Ravelne! My God, he looks exactly like my father!"

"This is real drama! It's not trying to please us, it's judging us!"

"Sorel is a genius! And a devil!"

Critics had long forgotten to write; they, like other viewers, were immersed in the immense artistic impact.

Conservatives may feel uncomfortable with the "dark side" revealed in the play, but even they cannot deny the astonishing artistic heights it has achieved.

Its script, performance, stage design, and lighting are all groundbreaking, pushing the realistic expression of drama to a new peak.

Backstage, Dean Emil Perrin was so excited that his face turned red, and he kept wiping his forehead and neck with a handkerchief.

He incoherently told everyone he saw, "We did it! We did it! Did you hear that? The applause! God!"

Émile Perrin knew that everything he had given to "Thunderstorm," even the honor he had staked his life on, would be rewarded tenfold or even a hundredfold!

Lionel stood in the box, listening to the thunderous applause and cheers from the audience, a faint smile on his face.

He knew that "Thunderstorm" had firmly captured the heart of Paris, or rather, had touched the most sensitive nerve in Paris.

The thunderous applause lasted for a long time before gradually subsiding, but the uproar in Richelieu Hall did not stop.

The bell for intermission had already rung, but most of the audience remained in their seats or boxes, talking and arguing, their emotions running high.

The box where Lionel was located was flooded with visitors almost the instant the first act ended.

The first to arrive was Archbishop Louis-Antoine-Augustan Gibbon. This "People's Bishop," with a solemn expression, shook Lionel's hand: "Mr. Sorel, I must congratulate you."

This play reflects the loss of the soul. When people turn away from God's guidance, indulge in inappropriate passions, and disregard the sacred responsibilities of family, tragedy follows them like a shadow.

La Verne's hypocrisy is indeed pathetic, but the downfall of Madame Madeleine and Edward is an even more bitter consequence of deviating from faith and morality.

Your work has a profound cautionary message!

Immediately afterwards, Madame Eleonore de Rothschild, surrounded by her entourage, arrived gracefully with her husband.

She remained as elegant and graceful as ever, her eyes sparkling with admiration: "My dear Lionel, you have once again proven your unparalleled talent."

You revolutionized the stage, ushering in a new era for theater. This is not only a victory for art, but also a victory for taste.

Subsequently, celebrities, critics, and writers flocked to the scene.

Jules Claretti exclaimed, "Mr. Sorel, you have torn away the fig leaf of respectable society! This requires immense courage and insight!"

Edmond Charles de Matimprep, the director of the Invalides, patted Lionel on the shoulder: "Young man, your play... reminds me of many things."

Some things shouldn't be presented so bluntly, but... you did a great job. Young man, you're still kind at heart...

Lionel was equally thrilled by the congratulations from all sides.

Looking at the crowds thronging the ancient theater and listening to the heartfelt praise and discussions, an indescribable sense of accomplishment welled up inside him.

He finally saw a performance in this era that was "close" to the level of world-class drama he remembered.

Thunderstorm will indeed have taken a giant leap forward in the level of European drama.

This feeling of personally driving history gives him more satisfaction than simply gaining fame and profit.

The intermission flew by amidst lively discussions.

As the audience gradually returned to their seats, the chatter subsided, and a hopeful silence once again enveloped the theater.

Everyone knows that the conflict in the first act has been set up, and the secret hidden behind it is about to be revealed.

The curtain slowly rose once again, under the watchful eyes of countless people.

The second act is still set in that luxurious yet oppressive drawing room of the La Verne estate.

Time seemed to have passed quickly, but the atmosphere was even more stifling than at the end of the first act.

The plot unfolds rhythmically, and through the characters' dialogue, the audience witnesses the arrival of Madeleine, the mother of Marcel and Fanny.

Then everyone discovered that the old woman's identity was not simple—she seemed to be an old acquaintance, or even a former lover, of "Lord Laverne".

Just as this reunion was about to begin—

suddenly!

Without warning, a blinding, pale, and dazzling flash of light suddenly tore through the dim stage lighting from outside the stage set window!
The light instantly illuminated every face on the stage, revealing every detail, and cast grotesque and distorted shadows on the luxurious furnishings in the living room!
Almost in sync with the lightning—

“Rumble——!!!”

A deep, resonant rumble, as if the earth itself were trembling, rolled in from the direction of the stage, like the roar of a giant beast.

The sound and the vibrations crushed every inch of air in the theater, reaching straight to the audience's chests!
For a moment, the entire audience in the Richelieu Hall seemed to be frozen in place!
Shock! Stunned! Unbelievable!

Many people instinctively leaned back and gasped.

The ladies gasped briefly and covered their mouths with their hands.

The gentlemen stared wide-eyed, as if they had witnessed a miracle, or rather, felt a real power that transcended the realm of drama.

They had never experienced such realistic thunder and lightning in any theater before!
This has completely exceeded their understanding of the limits of "stage effects".

The theater was deathly silent.

Only the lingering echo of the thunder remained, seemingly still swirling between the beams.

Everyone was completely stunned by the unprecedented and unheard-of sound and light effects!
(End of this chapter)