New-York tribune., 1908-03-10
THE DRAMA.
MR. S0THERN As R0D10N
Lyric Theatre.

- n. character ot RooIon Rasknikon. which
Re assumed et the Lyric Theatre last night for
-be first time IN this city. Mr.. Sothern ahords
.Aoughtfui study OF morbid mentality and gives a
siea- consistent rounded and finished representa-
-,an o. haif-craxed enthusiast The play writ
ren ny Laurence Irving. is a theatrical SYNOPSIS
nf Russian novel. by Feodor Dostoevski called
crime and Punishment" The subject was or1si-
ns Tlv brought upon stage by the late Richard
Mansfield who enacted Rodion. in play made
for his by Mr. Charles Henry Meltzer' but MI
Mansfelds performance cid not much interest MS
ruhlfc and the part was. practically. discarded by
him Mr.. Sothern's preSentu,ent of the RUSSIAN
zeaot while Il illustrates his ability and heightens
lis reputation actor. is not likely 20 meet
with any happier fortune II Is curiosity; nothing
more There is q tant of disease in the character.
there is hectic atmosphere throughout the
play- uureeved by either superiority of intellect
poetic emotion, imaginative treatment
The action. mostly slow. proceeds on low ieFel,
and tho theme is confined within the limits of pro-
ssic fact. Rodion, infuriated by the prospect OK
social corruption all around him Gin RUSSIA, re-
sertfGl inequalities. crazed with broodinS over
continual acts OF injustice and tyranny, at last
murders brutal man, in order 10 save the honor
and chastity Of a good girl whom that brute has
-7-rs1eG with hideous lust The usual police eioTt
ensues TO detect and apprehend the murderer
Suspicion has fallen Rodion. who. for time
believes himself 70 have done righteous ana
sble act, and though haunted and peipleXed
maintains himself fancied security An astute
IL
resorts 10 the expedien-a very old one in hction-
% causing the murder 10 be rehearsed IN Rodlon
presence and by that means terrthes him until he
very nearly driven 10 make an agontzeo con
re.ston The foreground of the play is occupied
--ith a, exposi1ion Of Rodion's peculiar mental
STATE his domestic circumstances, and MS Yacll-
lsftor cf purpose. The centre o. il exhlbits ms
s,su,sh and practically, his surrender, under the
strain Of inqufsftoraI torture The close presents
hin, as convert from his early theories. His
1osse nas been effected through the action of Of
--ro artisans both accused Of Rodions crime. who,
=, the effort IN save his comrads- bears false
uft1ess against himself and his mind is re
o,snsel end edmonton the girl for whose sake
strong in opinion that there is God and that
every man entitled to take into his own hands
ne execution Of justice. he is persuaded that
Divine Power.
The worth OF The fabric, such as IT Is, is resi-
6~ur IN its detective quality As play il apTer-
rsins 70 the category Of such meodraraas as Rose
Michel and such novels as a Nifes Evidence
and "J-nclA Silas" In the time of the ola Union
S4us7e Theatre the public favored with many
works o< that order. They well enough II tn7lr
Wy They 60 not amount much This one IS
sarto1Islv Tnarred hy complete incredibiity O.
MARY Of its incidents. il does. however. provide
N- So-heTn with opportunity. in the inquisl-
-,-ssT scene 10 exhibit considerable of emo
non and Z <acue method in the display and use Of
He IS fortunate in the able cooperation Of MI
Adolpn Lestinz. the ineNorable magistrate
R.zsk Y. W