The Washington times., 1903-11-29
THE Proud Prince. .
E. H. sOthern's Fine Prssentment of
a Fine Play.

a Fine Play.
E. II. Sothern is a lavish host to his
audiences. His -4stic repasts are
served with the sDiendor OF a dramatic
LueulIus. He does not stint cost, skin.
or labor in the establishment OF hts
stage feasts. In The Proud Prince
his latest offering. he has not only out
distanced any former effort he has
given to the stage. but ne has ad-
vanced the limits Of stage possibilities.
Almost bizarre are the innumerabie ef-
fects introduced into this new miracle
play. There are the entrance OF tho
proud king. his cosIt OF Vulnerable at
tendants in the forest, the tremendous
storm scene, outWorking tho miracle
with the appearance of the archangel,
and the TRANSPORTATION Of the king be-
fore the eyes Of the spectator into ths
court jester; the scene in the crowded
monastery, the thrilling duel between
cross and sword, the barbaric splendOr
OF the second act. the assembling OF the
concourse OF people In the last act, the
brilliant effect of the burning at ths
stake, and the final tableau. q kaleide-
scope OF color and action
Robert of Sicily Is By Tar the most
dihlcult and exhausting role that Sothen
let. it taxes his strength and inces-
SAINT attention 20 a Ear great degree
PictoriaIIy in its makeup it represents
a series Of phases Of constant change.
From the time Mr. Sothern enters the
stage until he leaves 1t. the makeup
OF his face and form is constantly being
altered. To gain an idea OF the reasdns
for Mr.. -Sothern's incessant changes one
must understand the strange deep. psy-
Geological motive of the character,
which, as Mr.. Sothern portravs it, is
undoubtedly one Of the most virile and
novel creations given in recent years
to the stage.
Robert OF Sicily is capitalization in
human form OF a mans conscience In
the first act this proud but evil-hearted
king is seen superbly handsOTre.
Through a miracle Of heaven he as
transformed into a being as evil without
as he has been within-"Set up as a
thing 10 wonder at by men" From then
on all the changes for better or worse
are shown in his exterior until in his
regeneration in the last act. when he
has become ennobled and purihed. his
former handsome self is given back 10
HIM through another miracle. IN sue
cessive stages. through MS nlslke-iip.
as we'll as through his action. Sothern
shows the process OF this ennOblement
which this man is undergoing, as he
rises up the moral scale.
The scene OF the miracle is Mr.. Soth-
ern's most difficult transformation. be-
cause he Is allowed but three minutes
time to change in full view Of the
audience from the royal gown of the
smoOth-faced king into the fantastic
flnery of the bearded and groveling
court fool To tell how this remark
able change is accomplished would be-
perhaps to lose some Of the glamour Of
It's mystifying surprise. As can be
understood. however, Mr.. Sothern and
his three dressers are busily at work
during the three minutes ne lies pros
trate upon the ground, with the moon
light fun upon him. the lightning play
ing around him, and the archangel with
flaming sword heaping the curses Of
heaven upon him.
When he turns - the audience ire
proud king of few moments 0ef0Te
is seen with a shock Of wild. disheveled
hair. his face brutal with its Wild his-
suite adorRment his limbs crooked.
and his fools motley in rags about him
AS study of the possibilities of make
up. Mr. Sothern's conception and eS-
ecuuOn of this scene is a triumph OF
stage craft no less than the sinking
OF his Identity from the proud king TO
the coarse voice and stoOp OF the gro
tesque fool is a triumph of stage ex-
mrs SsiOu