The Washington herald., 1907-12-11
BcIaaco-.If ! were King..

The continuance of Mr. T.. H. Sothern' 8
engagement at the Belasco Theater last
night was marked by the presence Of an
audience notable both in number and
personnel. the play presented being one
cf the actors most striking successes.
II I Were King. by Justin HunJlcy Nc
Carthy. play Of great romantic quality
working into tangible love story. the
more or less legendary episodes connected
with the history Of Francois Villon. the
vagaboud rOet. whose mere existence.
however much TRUTH may lie ia the
stories told, has been an inspirationsI
theme for writer's from Balzac 20 the
present
Whatever criticism may be offered Of
Nr. S0thern's internretaGcn OF certain
traditional tragic roles. there is no de-
nying his artistic treatment and EXPIRES
sive power as "a romantic actor a power
which has continually augmented his
popularity as 20 drawing attraction He
may exploit the problem play. offer new
and serious interpretations Of established
roles, 3r even soar into the regions Of the
intangible poetic, but bis fame with the
mass 3f his admirers Will forever be as
s0ciated with his admirable portrayal Of
characters or the simple romantic caHber.
slightly tinged with the melodramatic
tendency.
The deIineation Of the role OF Francois
VillOn is one-of those effective roles which
fulfill every requirement outlined above.
II is the story Of the triumph Of love over
environment II shows a man elevated
by its an powerful influence. and IL shows
a womans pride lowered by It's al per-
vadins quality The wiles OF a crafty.
albeit sard0nically humorous king ara SET
20 nalght by that force which regulates
the destiny of pauper. poet. and potentate.
without regard To exigencies Of state or
the individual quality or station OF those
composing IT, Mr.. SOthern's deIlueation
is fIlly as pleasing now as when be first
presert ted his conception. III anything
his eieCutiOnary powers augment as the
years go by He depicts the r0ystering
errdtic. yet Intellectual character OF the
poet in his early natural surrounding.
and the elevated nature OF the man glOri-
ned By pure love. with equal fidelity and
effect X is lifficUlt % make choice as
% pleasing quality between his half-uad
Nillon of the first act. his humorous Viuon
Of the judgment scene. OF the pathetic
NHlon before the gibbet AL go % make
Up au harmonious whole. and tend q
create 81 pleasurabIe sensation which is
perhaps not surpassed by anything r
latter day American theatricals.
The support accorded Mr.. Sotharn by
/ his company IS sincere II every instance
/ The opposite role. that Of % Kathe~in.
] de Nancelies. is PLAYED by Miss Florence
Reed in a manner entirely comparabl.
/ in effect with the playing Of the p-iuci
I pal she has a charming presence. a good
voice striking powers of defamation
and IS able 10 depict faithfully the mvs
/ terious caprices Of feminine nature. The
Louis N Of Mr. Malcolm Bradley wa,
also worthy Of hattering mention. tn,
craft, the avarlce. ana the Sard1nic TEN
: perament all being carefully depicted
Others wei known as excellent perform
I ers. who gave artistic assistance. war,
/ Roland Blackstone. Sidney Nather AdoIpf
! Lestine. Frank Reiche- Virginia Ham
moDd. and Mrs. Holconbe. The preseata
I ton IS on the correct and elaborate scal
which has marked NIr. Sothern's produc-
4 ti0ns
I The play VIII De repeated III the Satur
I day matinee. with The Fool Hath said
There Is no God" tomorrow evening
/ our American Cousin. on Thursday
and Friday. and Hamlet" VIII close tht
| engagement Saturday evening