The Detroit times., 1914-04-14
cARRick.

The spirit of Francois Villon, sol
der, poet, vagabond and lover. lived
again In the person OF E. IL. Sothern
in the Garrick theater, Monday even.
ing. II Is said that the absence OF
Miss Julia Marlowe led Mr. Sothern
TO present II i Were King" in the
place OF some other play In his roper
TORE. but most OF those who saw last
nights production OF Justin Huntley
McCarthy's romantic play will feel
recompensed even for the absence OF
Miss Marlowe.
Mr. Sothern's Interpretation OF the
medieval French poet. whose romantic
escapades and exquisite verses are
still loved by all with a taste for
literature, is delightful. Both as the
brawling drunkard in the tavern, and
later. elevated by the within of king
to the exalted post Of grand consta-
BILE OF France, his Vill0n satisfies and
idealizes the picture which imagina.
ton forms Of the mad rhymester who
at one moment was sunk In scottish
ness. at the next exalted to the clouds.
The scene of IF l Were King" il
laid In Paris in the reign OF Louis
X. during the siege OF the city by
Charles the Bold. Of Burgundy. The
crafty king, who is wont to walk about
disguised that he may learn the tenn
per OF his subjects, comes upon Viii
Ion, surrounded by drunkards, cut
threats and drabs in the fir-cone tav-
ern. Villon passionately denounces
the weakness and inefficiency of Louis.
little knowing that he is talking with
the monarch himself. Later. to avenge
an insult TO the lady Katherine De
whom he loves. villon fights
and wounds Thibaut D'Aussigny. grand
OF France and traitor to the
king. Just as the poet is about to be
hanged by order of Thibaut. the king
reveals himself, and orders his life
spared. Louis cannot forgive Villon
for his mockery. and to amuse himself
allows him for one week to hold office
in place of the deposed Thibaut. on
condition that he be hanged on the
seventh day. During this brief time
villon scatters the Burgundians. drives
them from before Paris and wins the
love OF the lady Katherine. To her
he reveals his real identity, with the
result that his love is scorned with
bitterest reproaches. Just as he is
about to pay the penalty of death on
the gibbet, the lady relents and by ex-
ercising right of justice over her vas
sal, cheats the king of his revenge.
George w. Wilson's Louis NJ Is a.
piece of work. His imper-
of the crafty, cruel and COW
ardly character OF the senile ruler is
faithful to history's picture in every
detail
Miss Elizabeth Valentine is charm.
ng as the naughty Katherine Da Va
relies. for whom villon fights. and
whose love he wins.
Anna Kruger gives a sympathetic
portrayal of Hughette. the girl OF the
tavern. who gives her life for love OF
villon.
Mr.. Sothern will revive Our
American Cousin" the Tom Taylor
comedy made famous by his father.
The late T.. A. Sothern. and in which
he will assume his fathers famous
role OF Lord Dundreary, for single
Wednesday Afternoon.
Thursday evening. "Charlemange,
new romantic play written by Justin
Mccarthy for Mr.. Sothern
and produced for the first time on
any stage a week ago in Chicago, will
be presented and will remain the bill
for the rest OF the week. A single
performance of Hamlet" will be
given Wednesday evening.