The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-05-21
MCCARTHY ON s0THERN.
Opinion Of the Author 81 the Ac.
tors skill ana Talents.

tors ski1l and Talents.
The farewell appearances Of T.. II.
Sothern in Justin Huntly McCarthy's
beautifully poetic and romantic play
III I Were Kins." at the shubert
Theatre. will give added interest to an
appreciation by that author Of Mr..
sothcrn's acting before Mr.. sothern
had essayed the role OF Francois viiIon.
Il had heard much Of the acting OF
Mr.. Sothern." recently said Mr.. Nc
Carthy. before II was ever my good
fortune to see him. Tales came to me
from across the Atlantic Of a Rudolf
Rassendyl. who informed the bright
romance Of Zenda with the high pas
sion OF a Master Of Rdrensicood and
the gallant humor Of a Mercutio. |
heard Of a scene with a rose which was
said to be one OF the tenderest, most
exquisite love scenes known to the
modern stage. could only hope some
day TO be able to see and to Judge for
myself.
Fate In time took me to New York.
and one Of my frst thoughts was TO
satisfy my curiosity as to the young
American actor. He was announced
to appear In a piece called A Colonial
Girl and I was present on the frs,
night. ! a recall no occasion in all
my experience OF the stage in which l
felt a livelier interest in what I was
about TO see. ! hoped, I feared. my
anticipations of pleasure were tenn
pered by apprehension. dreaded. as
I suppose one always does dread on
such occasions, the possible disappo,nt-
nlent.
II recall very distinctly the suspense
with which I waited for the appearance
o: Mr.. Sothern: l do not very clearly
recall the play. I know that It dealt
with the American struggle for inde-
p~endence. hat II was peopled with
wicked men In red coats. with gallant
spirits In blue and buff. that for some
reason or other the hero concealed
himself in a clock case and that the
whole ended in a wild blaze OF Liberty
Boys and the triumph of the Declara-
ton Of Independence. hut the play
Nigh. have beer a much worse or
much better play than II was and
have left as little impression on my
memory. ! mao CVrlc 10 ree u prhlSeu
and famous actor and found ne de-
served all his praises and all his fame.
II was so fascinated by the player
that I found II hard to analyze my
fascination. Partly. II was plain. the
charm ne exercised Was due to his
possession Of that quality which. for
the want Of . better word. we call
m~agnetic-a quality given now and
then TO some few ~stntesnen. 10 some
few actors. and which NJ its " force
must compel attention and conquer the
spectators senses. But Mr.. Sothern's
natural magnetism was. As I found In
pursuing my analysis. allied with An
admirably mastered method and a rea-
soncd art. The acting was admirable
as the actor had TO combat with
all the Of HIS craft an un-
appealing personality instead Of en-
ploying them to support one OF the
most appealing personalities that !
have ever seen upon the stage. Nothing
that had been said In his praise had
overpraised him, rather ! found him
better than the best | hoped from en-
thusiast!c testimony.
III the elder Sorhern might have
been a great romantic actor the
younger Sothern II a great romantic
actor. The term romantic actor has
been much abused. II Is not enough
for a player TO garh himself in doublet
and hose and 10 carry a sword AZ long
as that Of Capt. Spavento. the trap