Nana - Translation Famous Works Library (013)

Author: émile Zola
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: At nine o'clock in the evening, the grand hall of the Paris Varieté Theatre was still empty. A few people were waiting in the balcony and the front seats of the main hall, seemingly vanishing among the crimson velvet seats under the dim light of the chandeliers. The curtain was immersed in shadows, like a large patch of red stain, and no sound came from the stage. The footlights were extinguished, and the music stands were scattered everywhere. Only on the fifth balcony, around the dome, could cries and laughter be heard above the continuous chatter. The dome depicted a sky turned green by gas lamps, with several women and naked children flying in the sky, while beneath the large round windows with golden frames, rows of heads wearing flat hats and bowlers were visible. Sometimes, an usher appeared, looking busy and holding play tickets, asking the gentleman and lady in front of her to hurry up and take their seats. The man wore a dinner jacket, and the woman was slim, her chest thrust forward, slowly scanning the surroundings. Two young people appeared in the front seats of the main hall. They stopped to look. "Didn't I tell you, Hector?" the older one said loudly. He was tall and had a small black mustache. "We've come too early. You should let me finish my cigar." An usher walked over...