Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1903-11-14
THE PROUD PRINCE


nrtSCnI justin nunllCN MSA OrNlN Il
sniracle play. The Proud Prince" Con-
siderable interes, is manifested in this
attraction in williamsburg and present
Indications point 20 a large and fashion
able representation from this city. sew
erai parties have been formed already 10
GO 20 Newport News To sec the perfOr-
nance and a number OF individuals have
stated thir intention Of doing likewise.
Orders will be flied oy mail or tele- |
phone and also 81 the office OF The /
Gazette. Thomas 6. Leath has guarar-
teed Mr. Southern 5000 for the week
on his circuit. The prospects arc for /
capacity audiences 10 Newport News and |
the other cities.
The Proud Prince" Is called a miracle !
play, because Il pictures the miracle that
beien Robert Of Sicily. OF whom Long
Glow tells in his sublime verse and
Lehigh Hunt II his charming prose. The
story OF the downfall Of the naughty
monarch has long been a favorite with
clergy and the poets. Mccarthy has
eonaeved its value as a diamatic presen.
tstiOn and 10 bis play has introduced
the religious. Supernatural and ethical
teaching that are found il the legend.
Hs has made Of II a poetic drama. With
scsnes laid in romantic and uiediaev al
Surroundings. euveloPing an inter Sc
lore story.
The play. Ike The poem ofLougfellow's
Is based upon the words II Scripture:
he hath put down mighty from their
seats and exalted the meek and humble. -
The proud King Robert Of Sicily. who
scofs at good and the chanting OF unonl $
eItoiiuE the NaEnihcat. is transformed
into the likeness q his court fool. ard
under the houts and derision ofthe popu-
lace comes 10 reliazstiou OF his wicked
MSS. While King he had desired 20 de-
s,ry Perpetua. daughter OF the e1ecu-
toner. who had buuiliated him. In his
humble position as court fool his euer.
Ei-s are now bent 20 save her and Il Is
their love adventures n his changed
state that furnishes The action 81 the
play. In the last act he is restored 20
his throne vith Pcrpctna by his side
aiter h has saved her life BY masqucr-
aiding as the Kings companion. and has
chosen voluntary defeat 50 that the cir'
who has been charged with sorcery ).
saved from The flames.
The play. hike the poem. has a deer
meaning IN the Transforming OF a man o.
evil nature yet with handsome e1terio,
into a being with exterior as evil as II,
, inner self The drama reveals the stead-
J euuobiemeut q this being as he rise,
{ through successive moral stages. NTH
. ethical scheme Of the play Mccarthy ha
allowed 20 enter The idea Wagner utilize,
iu MS religious opera, "Barsifal.~ Il
which the hero IS beset by aliurug er
Z chantrcsses and resists them Ia NJ
o McCarthv's play The heroine j. subiecte
TO temptations bat safely energies wit
the aid Of she Inundated King who bin
self becomes emancipaed from his ev
lie by contact with purity and SINGER
love for a good woman.
=, The supernatural element that enter
the play gives Mr. Sothern. both as a
actor and stage producer. unusual O,
portunilies. IL rejecting the scores
{ the miracle. with It's accompanying
= tremendous storm effect. IN the appeal
ance Of the archnugel. and in the tram
hgurstion 81 the King. the dramatic /
u lusion is ecbanced by ingenious and IN
Z pressive stage craft. The action Of Il
J. riTaclc gives Mr.. S0theru a dual role Z
perform. First be is seen as the prou,
har5some King and Immediately follow
TX = the court fool IN grotesque motle,
< The character gives Mr.. Sothern an OF
Portuuity not only for the expression
E soft love passages in which bis art
seer 70 such advantage. but allows scoy
Tor broad character portrayal a. We
His Robert Of Sicily = generally conoe,
> cd by scholars 70 be the most wonderf
Z stcdy Of character seen on the stage
= recent years. Through Temarkab
psychological indication Sotberu show
the progress Of morality over brutis
= cess and the steadily growing enaobI
. useut Of a human being. The trsnsfo
a nation from powerful King 20 grow,
4 lag fool Is accomplished in az insta
and Sothern causes the character
reveal the Kings nSsires and ambitio
% ~ hile placed IN the foois exterior Il
Il The very summit Of great dramatic {
4 preston.
Sicily ia the thirteenth century - I
locale u the story. The play is divid
* into four acts. and embrsnce stage ?