The times., 1897-03-30
THIS WEEKS PLAYS.
K. III. Sothern in "An Enemy to
the King"

Mr- Il. H. Sothern began his tenth an
nual engagement at the Lafayette lastnight
under contributory circumstances as fiat
tering TO the star as to the good taste of
Washington theatergOers. The theater
was comfortably filled with an audience
OF brilliant distinction. There is always, in
Sothern production, assurance OF palatabIe
dramatic proyender served with the nicely
of an epcure, for this artist is not actor
alone, hut master OF all the details of the
environing arts, and under his direction
dramas take on excellencies not suggested
in the script or found when his genius is
not presiding.
MIR. Sothern comes each year with new
play. He has the faculty of never bringing
a failure Sometimes 1t is a moderate
success, was Sheridan sometimes an
Overwhelming success, as was 'Zenda;"
in this instance the merits of the production
place it somewhere between these two,
rather nearer ..Zenda" than the other 1t
is romantic play OF the Huguenot period,
written by an American, Robert n Stevens,
and has the characteristic title, AN
Enemy to the King"
The enemy is gallant young Huguenot,
Ernanton de LaUnay, who is much wanted
by iut june dtiOu
undertakes to deliver hin TO the kings
men in exchange for her father who is
prisoner condemned to death. After she
has fallen deeply in love with Ernanton
she discovers that he is the desired one
She stands between lover and father. The
theme is not exactly new The play con-
stitUtes the working out of this and the
problem of fidelit Y involved. Mr.. Stephens
has made all attractive, romantic drama.
1t moves with a ra ttling spirit and is lively
with the most delightful comedy, but one
is continually conscious of how much the
dramatist owes to Mr.. Sotbern'S staging
He has done wonders in stage pictures.
Every setting is an ideal Of picturesque
loneliness, and the disposition of colors
in costumes as well as scenery presents
striking effects of con ntinuous beauty
Every resource for heighteuinG the effect
is employed, not alone color harmony and
contrast, but the soft cry OF birds in the
trees and the symbolism Of Innst trels'
songs
For three acts the production is pano-
rainic well dramatic. but in the
fourth the presage of the third act is real
lied. Mr.. Stephens has drawn himself to-
getbeT and asserted his position. The
dramatic quality pretIominates and every
thing is accessory TO the moving, vital in
teIest of the story. The last act is the
plays crowning glory.
Nj. Sotbernas Ernauton de Launay would
inspire more praiseif if the vials of aduatfon
had not been eTnptied for his previous ef-
forts. There is simply nothing more to be
said. he is again the artist that we have
nj ways found him, intTenched in manner
isIBs which are attractive for their very
invidnaliZing quality, the most graceful of
galiauts ana an ideal stage lover. With
him are all the favorites who have so long
surrounded him and given to the associa-
ti0n the quality of a stock company.
Mr.. Blackstone plays an amusing follower
of Enantcn. Mr. Seton a noble Navarro,
Miss Hampton the hapIess maid wh no finds
herself in so trying Eredicament, Mrs
Seton a buXom hostess at the inn, Mr.. Law
renee the governor Of BeTri, and the Messrs.
awcett, Sam SotheTn, FlOcktOn and |
jarrett q group of motley advent urcrs. |
They were all good and the applause which |
demanded so frequent raising OF the cur |
tain was as well for company as for the |
beautiful production and the popular star.