SUZANNE

DESPRLS (1875– )  , French actress, was born at Verdun, and trained at the Paris Conservatoire, where in 1897 she obtained the first prize for comedy, and the second for tragedy . She then became associated with, and subsequently married, Aurelien Lugne-Poe (b . 1870), the actor-manager, who had founded a new school of modern drama, L'Euvre, and she had a brilliant success in several plays produced by him . In succeeding years she played at the Gymnase and at the Porte Saint-Martin, and in 1902 made her debut at the Comedic Fran gaise, appearing in Phedre and other important parts .