New-York tribune., 1901-10-15
THE DRAMA.
A NEW PLAY AT THE GARDEN
sIE I WE'RE KING

'TF I WERE KING"
Mr.. sothern and his associate actors at tns Ca.
den Theatre. appeared last night in a new nlav -
titled IF Were King"-a play devised ana n,s,.
ten. by Mr.. Justin Hunty Mccarthy to illus.-a.
an imaginary episode in the life Of Francis v,n
the dissolute French poet. Of long ago-and tb.,.
earnest and often spirited performance was ra
ceived with abundant favor by a numerous ara
eagerly responsive audience. The play is roman,,o
IN character. animated with movement agras-
ably diversified with incident written m ,
sprightly though sometimes redundant stvIa
and provided with a pleasing investture 40
picturesque scenery. that it feeds the fancy
satisfies the vision. and affords ample entar
tainment. The ground plan Of the fable is old bur
1t has not outgrowi it's intrinsic allurement and II
cornmends itself to renewed favor by some novelty
OF treatment. Once again the King prowls around
his capital in disguise. IN order that he may hear
the talk Of his subjects and acquant himself bv
personal observation with their views and feelings
and again the adventurous monarch meets
with the INDECENT but exuberant patriot who could
govern all things well If only he might have the
opportunity of sway. These persons have long been
known in fiction. and their presence has always
been enjoyed.
In this instance the furtive sovereign Is ths
grisly. willy. cruel Louis XII. while the impecunious
savior Of the state Is the audacious merry. tune
full indonitable Villon. The King and the poet
meet IN a tavern in Paris. to which the former
has repaired IN quest OF political advantage
while the latter has come thither IN reck-
less dissipation. sad with hopeless love and Bit
ter against himself and all the world Being
there he is suddenly enabled. in the interest Of
woman whom he I1ves to foil the intrigues OF a
treacherous Constable OF France. The garrulous
bard unaware Of his royal auditor, freely descants
on what he would do II he were King. and when.
presently. he has assailed and defeated the dis
loyal Constable who IS present for a purpose Of
knavery he is startled to find himself taken at his
word by the ruler OF France. and installed In the
office OF his discounted and degraded foe. During
one week as ordained by the offended Louis he
exercise authority; then he must suffer death. for
reasonable censure Of the King. His regnant con-
duct as Constable of France. Is the substance OF
the play. and this conduct is by turns humorous.
sentimental and martia-seeing that he passes
Judgment. IN a thoroughly comic yet righteous
" benevolent strain, his unruly old CON-
panions of the tavern; at once mystihes and
fascfnates the woman Of his love; and, by
his valorous leadership Of the army, in battle,
defeats the assang forces OF rebellious Burgundy,
and maintains intact the fortitude Of Paris Al the
close Of his brief reign and when the scaffold has
been set for his execution. he Is redeemed by
the devoted fidelity Of a womans heart-King Louis
having agreed to accept a vicarious sacrifice and
Katherine de VauceIles. whom Villon loves. being
willing TO die for him.
This is "Gringoire''-wtth difference. But II Is
all tree and gay. and pleasant. and Mr.. Sothern-
ardent. impetuous. and pictorial, as Finon-gives
smooth and dashng perfo nance. in mood with
which he seems TO be completely sympathetic, and
in a style in which he is exceptionally expert rhs
part is one Of a Iaborious order imposing upon It's
representative the need Of wide range Of sinua-
tion-for Villon is by turns vagabond, poet toss
pot lover. brawler. soldier. schemer, moral hero.
and ideal gentleman-but this comedian dashes
boldly through all changes. And he seemed only 10
lack that syrnpathettc quality in vocalism, express
sive of feeling and diffusive Of poetic glamour,
which fs the dominant charm and triumphant
magic Of the romantic actor. The sprightly and
piquant Miss Cecilia Lotus impersonates the
heroine and faithfully expresses the conflict
in the mind Of a naughty woman, whose love
is momentarily but potently antagonlzed oy
her prfde-for though Katherine would gladly wed
the reputed Constable OF France. she shrinks
from marriage with the vagabond minstrel mo
cast is populous. and when actors (as or1en
happens in these romantic dramas Of medi'eVat
court life) deploy IN platoons the most extenoee
view OF which Observation Is capable might ve0
find II difficult 10 discriminate among their achieve.
ments The author has contrived situations OF
bustling activity and has provided moments OK
agreeable suspense. and though his fabric lacks
the power weight and consistent sincerity OF Sc
rious drama such as grows out OF actual human
life and takes hold upon actual human feelings. It
is a graceful piece Of gossamer. and as such IL IS
welcome The style is marred by occasional m
felicity OF phrase by language that Is tnappropra's
and fnelegant and the coIloquy is hampered and
retarded by some excess OF sentimental versihca-
zion and by a decided superfux OF hOwery talk
not 10 speak Of needless persons, such as Nhlons
aged mother and needless Incidents. such as Lord
NoeTs amorous avowaL The closing situaton'-
that Of the gibbet-is handled in such a way as 10
divest II OF probability. even were II not inner
emily preposterous. But these fairy tales-tnese
compounds of heroics and ecstasies, extravaganza
and sentimental frenzy-must never be examined
too closely This play contains a little or every
thing from a duel by the light OF lantern TO a
bauet dance in a bower Of roses pothouse wranglss
and poetic recitations. plot and counterpiote, as
guises and hairbreadth escapes and last or all tne
spIendors Of military spectacle. II has pleased
one audience, and there is good reason 10 expect
that IL will please many more. W. W.
SIR THOn4S OFF FOR CHICAGO.