New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-22
THE DRAMA.
ANOTHER NovELLI NIGHT.
LOUIS XII.

Among the many plays of standard currency
there Is probably, play that would. with COM
mon consent, be designated more essentially
theatrical than the French play about King Louis
OF which English adaptations. equally theatrical
have long been known upon our stage. In calling
u theatrical the intimation Is that 1t abounds WIN
effects; that its author has not left anything 20
chance but has especially and particularly pro-
Vided that every point he desired to make shouio
make Itself. No actor Of ability and experience
could fail. in King Louis TO create positive mn
preston OF kind. The part is repleto Win
opportunities of quick transition and sharp con-
trast The italian version of the old play thae
was presented last night. IN the Lyric Theatre
does not very materially difrer-as to FABLE ana
"husiness'-from the English versions one by
Charles Reade and one by Dion Boucicault' tnAt
have long been known in the English tnea''e'
Signor Novelli. King Louis. gave the best per-
formance that he has yet given. 1t pos
sesses the attribute of authority; 1t IS uen-
mite; 1t is interesting; and it IS eNp0sltNe
OF his style. at its best-for. while decorateo'
all over with embroidery and tinsel It has the
quality OF repose: absolute repose. but ehous"
Of 1t to admit OF a clear perception OF the acto'
who hitherto. for the most part. has beeh III quo
condition of pinwheeI or a packet of India cracA
ers IN explosion The part of King Louis aosou.els
necessitates some degree OF poise and restraint
and the italian actor for the most part res4e0r|N
that necessity. His belllgerent rush from ING
throne and his incidenta! suspension Of the AIhs
prayer in order to bestow significant smile upol.
his attentive and sinister attendant were OUT OF
harmony with right design. but, in general the re-
straint Of effusion and was particular eII.
in this impersonation. The acting Of Sgnor NoVeI'A
as King Louis has commendable attributes. ana 10
is very well worth seeing in that character II tue
observer wishes to obtain excellent ana meIiO-
rable impression OF him. The attribute that ms AM
personation of King Louis lacks Is that or IasClHa
ton The personality is robust. potent, even pre-
dominant but it is not royal; it is not inteiiectua
II is not magical-that is TO say 1t does not a"ahe
the feelings There is no denotement Of any suIeI-
ing or OF any remorse or Of any sef-conhtct or OK
snv agony in the creature There is plenty OF clever
detat-such as the twitch OF the mouth and the
habit OF scratching behind the right ear and many
other little peculiarites all indicative OF certain
phvscal conditions, tending TO ultimate collapse.
But there is no suggestion Of great personality:
Il is all elaborate mechanism. II SignoV Noveli
had not been heralded here prodIgy,-another
Salvini etc-great expectations about him would
not have been aroused, and 1t would not have be-
come necessary 10 protest against an eXtravagant
view of him. a view that is equally unjust 20 the
actor himself and 10 other meritoTious performers.
The truth is that Sgnor Noveln is not man OF
genius and not an actor Of the first order. His
abilities. however are valuable. and he is we'll
entitled TO the respect that should attend able
and experienced performer. Viewed a great
actor. he is false alarm. He has tried TO act
Lear and he has tried &c act ShyIock and he has
distinctly failed in both He revealed himself in
Papa Lebonnard; he reveals himself still
King Louis He is a comedian OF tho second class.
who has made the not unusual mistake % sup
posing that he can act everything w W.