New-York tribune., 1916-05-01

III view OF tne prominent pa q
played by sentiment in the reception
accorded +. II. Sothern at the Shubert
Theatre on Saturday night, 1t ia a
pleasure TO record that the delight OF
the audience would have been no less
even If all sentimental considerations
could have been wiped out. re
vival which depends largely upon the
memory Of the theatregoer is TOO
liable 10 leave hollow taste in the
mouth after one has quit the retro
spectve glow Of the footlights. But
not only is Mr.. Sotherns embodiment
Of the carefree Nillon as excellent as
II ever was which was to be expected
but "lf ! Were King" as a play,
still stands quite capably upon itos
own feet which was not 10 be eX
pected. The romantic liberties that
il takes are but slightly in excess Of
those assumed BY many play Of tie
moment, and its power 10 entertain S
as great as it was fifteen years ago.
The excellence of the production.
coupled with the sffectionate regard Of
the audience for Mr.. Sothern, com
bined TO make the performance on
Saturday evening a memorable occa-
sion. For two weeks Mr. Sothern will
act the ballsde- making scoundrel who
saved France and won the fair Kath
crime and then he and Miss Julia
MARROW will wend their ways 10 Eng
land, and thereafter this country's
knowledge OF the Sotherns will have 20
be got at second hand from CORES
pondence postmarked London. The
sentiment hedging Mr.. Sotherns fare
well appearances Is quite thick. For
brief season he has come again un-
der the management Of Daniel Froh
man, with whom he was associated
when If | Were King" first saw the
light The proceeds Of the fort
night at the Shubert, furthermore, ac-
crue 20 the Actors Fund. as do Mr..
McCarthy's royalties.
In his curtain speech Mr. Sothern
voiced a doubt concerning the advisa
bility OF producing such a fairy tale"
in this late day, but he need have no
Qualms Strangely enough, one finds
ones self setting aside the palpsble
absurdities Of the story and enjoying
the romance to the full. No one really
believes, OF course, that King Of
France paused in the midst Of defend
ing his city 20 make game Of a worth
less poet encountered in a tavern. No
one believes that Francois Nillon was
a warrior who could have planned
campaign and vanquished the Bur
gundans. In fact no one believes in
any portion of the whole fanciful tale
yet one accepts II willingly even
eagerly.
The reasons for this ready accept
snce Of the plays fantastic elements
are two in number The first is the
fact that Mr.. Mccarthy has written
we'll, albeit fancifully. The play has
a high literary quality throughout, and
the snatches Of poetry with which the
text is sprinkled are OF great ald. Also.
the plays romance is backed by sub
stance-it is not merely foolishness.
In this connection an easy comparison
with "The Cinderella Man" suggests it.
self. Far apart as they are, these two
have much IN common.
The second reason for the plays
plausibility is concerned with the ex-
cellent production given 1t by mr.
Sothern. Despite the fact that 1t is to
run but two weeks, and that its pros
perity during that period IS assured,
The plav is staged with the greatest
of expert care. Upon the excellence
Of Mr. Sothern's performance there IS
no need to dwell. The same Is true OF
the work OF george W llsou III 'nS
role Of the King, the part which he
created. Notably fine work was done
by Virginia Hammond, as Huguette-a
part that she has played before. Alex
andra Carlisle now appears as the
heroine, first played by Cissie LOTUS
and her work is at least acceptable;
The minor characters are all IN good
hands. and the entire performance
moves with dash and spirit.
In other words, "If ! Were King IS
to-day what it has been for the laS
fifteen wears a romantic treat