New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-02
THE DRAMA.
Mr. SOTHERN IN A NEW PART

Yesterday afternoon, at the Lyceum Theatre, as
,opde TO Miss McTingtons charming play of Le'tar-
bla,r.7 Mr.. Sothcrn produced melodiam"uc mono
tome called The Disrcputable Mr.. Reagan" written
,r him by Mr. Richard H. Davis, aud with TINS nc
Interested and pleased numerous ana f'slious a"u'
,ce The piece is one OF situation; IL eXacts con
,irpous speech and IL occupies, in representations
about forty minutes. ,,.,.
turacious criminal has unwtingly killed his pur-
sucr and has taken refuge In the attic Of an abadohe"
tenement house. lie breads discovery lie Is In suspense
uni desperate with the Of peril and with the
dcrrium Of uglncsS He suddenly comes upon d
little child that is apparently dying OF s'arNa'loh'
Ills heart is touched by the spectacle OF helpless
misery thus presented and he presently strives I"
succor that wretched infant. lie hears voices "'''
cry the evening papers, ana he learns l""t Ho
&c denounced and hunted as murderer. lie loo"s
out at the window and he secs detective "'"oorS,
ui, danger is imminent lie resolves to NY but
10 conno, desert the dying child. At the last he
olIs the officers and surrendcrs himself to them Ill
order that the infant may be saved. The chhd NEAL
time. has died. That is the piece, and the loea Oh
II manfestly is practical and felciIous
The situation. however. is improoaoe'
and the personality is more Improbable thah tle Si'u'
finn Persons who devote their energies 10 VICE """
crime ara rot humane persons, neither do they POSSESS
$780, h.aveni, sensibilities which commonly
ascribed 70 them in its juvenile period py inc
holntiful benevolencc of brandy punchN hC''oh' AS
suminc tho situation and the person. however, ae IA
,ona and credible the opportunity follows Tor an c'or
10 manifest MS resources OF dvershe1 lecai's anu "
nresson under one OF the most exacting OF all Jesus
tho test of soliloQuy Mr.. Sothern. without eINl"s
now views of his talents and equipments chuur'"
tho, ,cet with stesdfast constGney. II canhol nc
ssd indeed that he persuaded any Ob'crvaht hsenc'
that he was, for even single m"nei'' HN NV
character of ruffian. The imitation. carried 10
authority or conviction. but stopped siut Simply III
tho denotement Of ahroitneSS and sincerity Mr.
sothern could see such actor "a T. L. davenport "
J. w Wallack in such part, he would unuerS'snd
that his effort is but a shadow. All the same IT.
testified ~ his habits and observation, ana aooNe
all 10 his capacity for sustained assumption o"ouu
# he repeated the actor might make II more eneS
live by a more furtive dcmeanor. by q more Sly
movement by intensity rather than Neheneh'e TI'u
nv mich lower and less explosive zone ile
;rl of a character il OF far more importance tnan
~ superficial denOtement and, indeed. II once
iha former Is supplied the latter Will cnsuc from "
ve;fber Mr. Davis nor Mr.. sothern has evlnce1
o,r Enowledce of childhood other than superficial
In1viedge or any zeal sympathy with H. BON
Of them are youus. both are clever, but n,hei ~
vei developed tenderness and grace of style IL Is
ssnecialv noabc in MIR. sOthern's acting tAal com
radeship and youthful kindlne.s 'onch nm NOR
nrorlv and produce better artistic effects than any
O, TIT fashions He is adopted for hght comeu!
with A touch of eeHtment-and the sentiment mus.
NOT he too deep He is not for the fashion oi
mn sykes and his delicate powers can be better
exerted than in urging the wearis0nc falncy oi
continental fiction. that the pearl 81 great price
must be sought for In the Sums