The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-17
Waiiack's Theatre.

On Monday evening" the patrons Of this house assembled
large numbers to witness the first performance this
SON. OF Shaksperes comedy The Merchant of Venice y
and they appeared highly gratihed with the manner in
which it enacted, and the taste displayed in the
mise en- scene
Mr. Wallack played Shylock Mr. Dyo.t, Bassanio Mr..
Phillips, Antonio Mr. Lester, Gratiano Mr. Vincent,
Launceot Gobbo Mr. Bernard, Tbal; Mrs Hoey Portia;
Mrs. Stephens Nerssa Mrs. Conovcr, Jessica Mr.. Wal
lacks conception Of shyock IL, mind the proper
He makes the jew first contemplating, then
satrical then denunciatory, then revengeful,
then railing, then passionate, then avaricious
then glad, then gorying in his prospective triumph,
then broken down by his FINAL discontinue. All these
various idosyncraces in shyocks character were not
only wei conceived by Mr. Wallack but so well painted
Though at times rather highly coored that even the
dulles mind could not mistake the true and intent
ofthe author conveyed to it by the actors The
first scene was skilfully managed In the with
Tabal, TACT third Mr. Walack produced some of the
finest effects have Witnessed and the breaking
up rather breaking down. of shylock's mind, in the
trial scene painfully natural His readings were
senab and regretted TO notice that his deeper tones
frequently low that otentinaes the conclud-
ing words Of speech indistnct. AS whole,
Mr.. WaIack was highly successful. Every point
was eagerly seized by the audience who "applauded
to the echo that did applaud again. Bassano by Mr.
Dyot, good though rather slow Mr. Phillips gave
the lines of Antonics part with discretion but did not
enact the character Mr. Lester played Graano fairly
Els dressing Of It superb but he seemed by his non,
chclant air to think il below him. Albeit this is gene
raj fault with actors thought Mr.. Lester was free
from it and Gratiano is good part far as he goes
Mr. vincents Launceot Gobbo clever piece of act
ing and his business after delivering the letter to
Lorenzo, would have been eIectve had not been
done. Launcelot cl W. but not fool. Tao small
parts well played Mrs. Hoey's Portia was mine.
ing, calm, icy Porta, but not like the charming gay
witty, brilliant, loving, sensible lady Of Belmont Her
reading unexceptionable and 10 the trial scene she
would have been clever, indeed II she could have been
little impressive. Her scenes with Nerissa ana
Bassanio failures because with the exception OF
point TO winch shall refer she to take no
interest in the play and contened herself with speaking
the lines and using but three angular gestures The
point mentioned Is where Bassano takes the lead caske
at which event the Porta of las. night displayed Joy
thereby conveying wrong impression to the audience
appears by her speech that she not that
the lead casket contained the joyful scroll Mrs Como
yers Jessica faulty in reading and singing without
an accompaniment is not pleasant, unless the singer
great seems highly inappropriate for essca to wear
the cross which suspended from Mrs. Conoyer's
neck Nerissa Is not much, but Mrs Stephens dressed
and acted the part very we'll. Altogether there was
nothing very good except Mr. wallacks shylock, and
that capital.
The new scenery by Mr.. sherwood was excellent
One effect introduced by Mr.. walack was worthy of
imtaton-n the third of the first act where shy
lock and Bassano usually discovered alone the Rial
to filed with merchants; it seemed much more ma
tural than the old way The .rhl scene was very wen
set bu. thought that the actors played too much
at the audience and that they should ignore the
presence OF the Duke and Senator's altogether