The New York herald., 1879-10-09
ADJUSTMENTS.
,,ypr -..MrncHASr OF VENICE.

Tho role of shylock. odious as it is in its char
actcristics. has always been one OF the most pop"
lar parts the English speaking s'ase'
.or the reason that the proper conception
and adequate representation OF the character
is a veritable triumph for the snccessfui
actor. 1t requires subtle comprehension
OF intense emotions and demands masteriy aoiity
in the reproduction in action of the strongest hu"n
passions. Shylocks moving passions are as various
his quickly changing moods; no e'ihees
love for his daughter, tenderness for the
memory OF his lost wife. faith III his re-
igon. hatred for his despisers. revengeful malice
toward his enemies. craft in his cunning plotting
for their ruin courage in his determination to de-
,nand his bond in the face of court where
he is despsed. and an avarice that over,
rules every domestic tie. He Is inhuhlan anu
utter dcbasement by its intellectual qualities and
while his methods held up for our detestation.
We cannot fail to recognize s,.,n his mental M sisSs
q logician, deep thinker ana close lea
soner, and the intellectual equal .,,'i:y OF any
man IN Venice. His language is rich ana iorcioIe,
and his arguments before his enemies are clear ana
perfect. or despised race and subjected 10 puono
he proves himself the intellectual master OF them
NIL i'll the Council Chamber.
Mr. Bandmann's Shylock possesses in degree some
of these characteristics, but they are not always
made anparent and are never boldly outlined. His
Shylock is sullen where 1t shouiu DC nru'
an avaricious, stubborn. inhuman man, VINO Is sell
dom tender never commands compassion. and is
rarely diguifed. There are exceptions mere ana
there where his Shylock rises momeEtarily TO
higher mental standard. but it does not continue,
and quickly sinks to its former level
Mr. Bandmann's Shylock, as presented last night,
produced this IMPRESSION but it is only just to the
say that his reading OF the lines was Sc
riously nterered with by q throat anection'
which greatly impeded his efforts. His voice was
not at his command. and all finer effects
Of infection were totally lost. ON account
finally judged until he has been heard under
advantageous circumstances. When ne mas
recovered his vocal powers we expect to DIS
great improvements In his readings, Dut
at present dealing only with his conception
the character. The rest leave for later hear
ing, 1t would be unjust to do otherwise. Though
the beauties OF his reading thus clouded. his
conception of the character could be seen with more
Or less consistency and it had the merit OF con-
slstency OF purpose. In his acting MIR. Bandmann
very unequal. At times he was heavy aud COM
monplace. lacking in dignity OF repose
times. such as the finale OF the trial scene. his at
tudes were full of grandeur and his command or
feature marvellously effective. Much OF the busi-
ness was eaboratey finished and Judiclous III plan,
but the good taste of some Of 1t was more than
questionable. notably in the trial scene where
he turned his back upon the Council. and sat
and lounged upon the table, in presence of men who
regarded his social outcass. Full force was
given to many passages. such as the address
80 elaborate, as i'll Shylocks declaration of
revenge in the second act that the effect OF the
whole weakened. His triumph was de-
icent i'll force in the earlier part OF the trial scene
and his action too violent toward its close. the re-
aeeming of the whole play being his acting
1t the finale, which grandly effective.
An elaborate analy sis OF the play and Mr.. Band
manns acting would be necessary to further indicate
the strong and weak points OF his latest effort We
can only say that it possesses merits and has its
faults; the former stand out boldly here and there
and are brilliant while the latter chiefly the
result of misconception OF the character.
The cast fairly good and particularly strong
in Mrs. Bandmann ana Mr.. Gerald Eyre. who enacted
Portia and Bassanio excellenty The setting OF the
piece gave evidence of hurried preparation. and "A
succession of missets seriously embarrassed the
players skies and trees wandering in and out Of in
tcriors in truly marvellous manner. But all that
will he rerue0lcd in ppother performance.