The New York herald., 1879-11-16
LONDON LIFE.
Irving's Latest Success as
Shylcck.
MISS THURSBY'S FAREWELL.
A French Painter Immortaliz-
ing a Zulu Fight.


but the Lyceum is not large enough to hold fifth
part Of those who want TO get inside it the occa.
sion of addition to the series Of revvals which
The Flying Dutchman" and the 'Iron Chest" were
either real failures ''caviare to the general for
many of Mr.. Irvings admirers vii, not admit the
possibility of failure in anything he undertakes.
Tho announcement that. the Merchant of Venice
would be produced at the Lyceum naturally caused
much enthusiasm. for it was admitted all hands
that Shylock quite in Mr.. Irving's line.
and it confidently foretold that even
his Richard Ill. and Louis NJ. would
be Is nothing compared to his Shylock.
To judge from the first night alone the prophecy
must be true. for never did the walls OF theatre
contain such enthusiastic multitude as was
packed into the Lyceum last Saturday night Mr.
Irving and Miss Terry not applauded merely;
they wore cheered in a most startling manner. The
foreigner who has heard that English audiences
cold and undemonstratve would have been astounded
at the that took place before the curtain.
That there would be an immense "house' was taken
for granted. and Mr. Irving had had circulars printed
to accompany the tickets given to the press in which
he requested that if the ticket not wanted it
should be returned the pressure for places had
been unduy great that he would deem any assist
ance in the difficulty as personal favor"
THE CURTAIN RISES.
There a shout of applause when the curtain
upon that familiar Venetian picture the south
front of the doges palace, with the two columns of
the pazetta. On the left of the spectator trading
feucca lay at the quay; the sailors were carrying
quaint looking bales Of merchandise ashore. while
others loafed about making purchases and bargain
ing with tho landsmen. Presently, when Antonio.
the merchant. and his companions came on to the
scene in costumes which gave them one and all the
appearance Of having stepped out of old pictures.
the realism and brightness OF the scene per-
feet. When Mr.. Irving came on there ensued pro-
longed burst of applause which stopped the play
for several minutes. during which his appearance
and make up could be keenly examined. grave.
pale man. with thin long grzzed beard and hair clad
In gaterdine Of brown. and black pouch at sde and
staff in hand. with quick. restless eyes and
moving eyebrows. Such the Shylock
which London has SO impatiently wished to see.
The first not half ended before the con-
vction must have come home to every one present
that Shakespeares wonderful creation was in the
hands of master and would not suffer. As the
play went on and the mingled dignity and cupidity
Of the Jew were brought out with astonishing
and power until the climax. when the sudden frus-
tration Of his scheme Of revenge left him exhausted
and nerveless with despair but full of stately dignity
still. the audience evidently recognized the fulfil
Of the trial Mr.. Irvings bearing that of
who "stood there for iaw'-calm. upright.
severe. save when the illusions to the bond and
Antonio called forth the fierce words Of hate and
venge The business Of this has never been
equalled the English stage for thoroughness and
interest.
ENTHUSIASTIC AUDIENCE.
Mr.. Irving makes fine point when the frivolous
Gratano has given utterance to his last brutal
foaf alnxvlv fnrpS hia faCa tor
mentor, his eyes being fixed on the ground;
then. slowly and contemptuously. commencing at
his very feet, the eyes raised until they meet
those of the gay young gallant in look o. mingled
hate and swiftly the look dies out. and the
old man. heavng deep sigh totters out OF
the court. Presently you hear three loud jeering
cries from the mob outside the Jew makes his
way into the street. The whole Of this marvellous
and exciting scene Is presented with power and
completeness which positively makes one think that
30 long such things can be SO done on at least
stage in England there is not much need after
all of q national theatre. As for Miss Terry's
Lovely '.Deghtrul!" "Unrivallcd at any
Il once break forth when the subject is
mentioned. i am bound to say that visit to
the Lyccum proves them to be justified SO far
man with ordinary theatrical experience judge.
All that is charming and tender and graceful in
concentrated Miss Terry's POrtia and
Ophclia and the former character gives her an OPP
portunity to show some of the prettiest comedy
ceivabe. in the badinage with her maid about her
suitors and the assumption OF manly swagger and
stride when she propounds her plans for
the donning Of male attire. The scene of
the choosing of the caskets was managed
with the greatest taste. No more charming
picture has been presented than that which the
stage of the Lyceum affords when Bassanio stands
An the curaincd recess with the three Golfers before
him, while Portia follows his every movement and
word with eager anxiety soft music heard behind
the while:-
Let music sound while he doth mako his choice;
Then. it he lose. he makes "a swan-Iikc end.
Fading in music.
have dwelt long upon this very important dra-
matte event because any lettor written pur-
porting TO give reflection of London life which did
not take full notice of IL would miss thoroughly
characteristic incident. one OF the signs of the
times here IL the extraordinary development of dra-
matte enthusiasm, a proof of which may men
ton that of the annual called Tho Stage Door,.
published last woek, 10000 copies were sold in two
days.
nreSoLp AT pRuRY LANE.
George Rignold. now so familiar in New York and
the United States but so long absentee from Lon
don that he has been well nigh forgotten here, made
his public temperance his native heath Satur
day night. Though Rignold Is little known Henry
W is more or less familiar spectacle. Calvert put
1t on the stage with great magnifcence few years
ago, and Coleman more recently produced IL at the
both OF the earlier presentations. The audience
which greeted Mr.. Rgnold In the historic old
Drury Lane Theatre was very large and very
enthusiastic. About his performance 1t would be
impossible to say anything you do not know
already. He seems not single degree changed since
Ut Booths Theatre he first stormed Harheur and
fought the field OF Agncourt. II is said-whether
by critics who are intentionally hostile do not
know-that Rignold does not expect to make money
during this engagement; expects, in fact, to lose
and only desires to bring himself back TO the re-
mcmbrance of those who may have forgotten him
He has taken Drury Lane until Christmas. and IL his
audiences continue to be a. large the hrst night
he will be sgrccably disappointed.
MISS THuRsBY's FAREWELL.
Miss Emma Thursby, whose voice has been win
ming its way to many English hearts is about to re.
turn to America. Last night she was given benefit
st Riyieres Covent Garden Promenade Concerts.
The stalIs and boxes filled with Americans. and
American flags nuttered in various parts of the audi
torium. The audience large ana the concert one
II most interesting of tho SERIES All the singers
we're English, however, save Miss Thursby and
Mr. Carlton, the latter of whom sang very
hnely the torcdor's song from Carmen. In which
he IL now playing with success at Her Majesty ;
OPERA Miss Thursby was, OF course the favoritc OF
the evening, and she was encorcd with enthusiasm
and was the recipient of many flowers. At eleven