The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-09
AMUSEMENT REVIEW.

the '0ierchant Of Venice by Mr. Irving Miss
Terry and the Lyceum Theater Company last
night Every seat on the lower floor was occu-
pied, the balcony was crowded, and many stood
up. 1t was a performance long to be remem-
bered, if for no other reason than on account of
its striking originality. Mr.. Irving does not
make the part of Shylock oyershadow
all others, and thus ruin the sym
rnetry and consistency Of splendid play
Other actors do this, and the beautiful love story
is subordinate to the development of the hatred
and vengeful spirit Of the money lender. AS
commonly played, several of the lesser scenes
are cut, and all except those in which Shylock
appears are made unimportant. Mr.. lrvings
company present the piece in its entirety, perfect
in every point with an accuracy of detail that
was as commendable as the conception was har
monious and intellectual The stage setting was
marvelously good, and the audience
saw a succession of pictures historic
ally accurate and strikingly realistic.
Especially artistic were the representations of
the house of Shylock, by the bridge with the
picturesque Venetian canals and the antique
houses, mellowed and softened by an ingenious
moonlight effect; the interior view of the home
of Portia; elegantly set, with fine landscape
visible through the open portals, and the or
binary exterior scenes, made by plain drops
which master hand had painted. The costum-
ing was equally rich and brilliant. Miss Terry's
first toilet was of dull gold brocade, with gold
bullion fringe Topped up over petticoat
en- suite. A square Venitian bodice,
high lace collar a dozen strings of fine pearls
worn as necklace, and beautiful fan of ostrich
plumeS completed the costume. Her second
toilet was the young doctors cap and gown,
crimson velvet cloak with high collar and sleeves
falling to the ground, worn over a robe of Grim
son silk, and a rose-tinted velvet cap worn close
overthe bronze curls. The third toilet was
train of deep tint of purple silk, bordered
with gold embroidery, worn over petticoat of
dull gold The dresses of Jessica Miss Mill
ward) were models of oriental beauty and taste
detailed review of the performance need
not be given, and if it were there could be little
or nothing in the way of adverse criticism. Mr.
1rvings Shylock is most remarkable for its
originality. In conception, coloring and treat
ment it differs from the traditional representa-
ton very widely, and the innovations are, in
almost, every instance, improvements 1t is
psychological study, and the sombre-
ness of the impersonation is re-
ieved by touches of tenderness, and
suggestive of a kindlier nature beneath the less
attractive outward manifestations of bitter
hatred. The court scene was Il masterpiece of
intense acting, and it alone was sufficient to
stamp Mr.. Irving as man of the highest genius
and intellectually. The Characterization
throughout was as careful and conscientious as
it was novel. Miss Terrys Portia was a crea-
ton of tenderness, grace and dramatic correct
ness, which probably no other actress could
equal certainly none excel. Mr.. Terris's Bas
sanio was gallant and forcible, and Mr.. Wenman's
Antonio was likewise strongly marked. All the
lesser parts were assumed with such excellence
that the effect of the performance was pleasing
in the extreme, and the manifestations of enthu-
siasm on the part of the audience were frequent
and sincere.
At the matinee to-day ''Charles l" will be given
with Mr.. Irving in the title role and Miss Terry
as the Queen, and tonight the engagement will
conclude with the trial scene from the 'Mer
chant of Venice and a repetition of THE Bells"
WHO WERE THERE.
Prominent in the audience were the following
ladies and gentlemen from other cities:
Franlfort-Charles L. Writ, Colonel Hugh
Williams, Mr.. and Mrs. D. A. Coulter, Mr. and
Mrs. S. 0. Bayless Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Writ,
Mr. and Mrs. ID. F. Allen, Mrs. r. G. Boone,
Mrs. Mustard, Misses Maggie Lawrence, Mabel
Barner, Sallie Byers Amanda Elliott Elgie
Gaskill, Mary and Alice Miller, Nettie and Lena
Bryant Laura DeCamp, Mrs. Elsie Purdum,
Alice Somerbell, Mr.. D. E. Comsteck and T. H.
Palmer
Noblesville-B. Goldsmith, Frank E. Wells,
C. n. Granger Miss Flora Hunt, j. r. Christian,
Theo. P. Davis and wife, A. NJ Jenkins and
wife, Miss L. NJ. Welmerth
Chicago-Hary Crawford.
Peru-W. C. Raymond and wife, George l.
i Reed, G. B. Higgins, Louis B. Tutewiler, Charles
Kokomo-Mrs. Harrison, Mrs Kaufman, John
". Kern, G. c. Shirley, W, c. Purden, ]. o.
Henderson.
Anderson-Miss Laura Sandsbury.
Greeneastle-Willis &. NefS John H. Percy,
A. Black, jr,, =. NJ. Bosom, Miss Minnie Harbi-
son, Miss Jennie Reagan, j. w Shackelford. O.
G. Phillips, T. b. WILDER, e. l.. Harris, Geo.
Payne, A. s. Roberts, j. j.. Rumbarger David
A. Stephens. /. E. Jones' j. T.. Wrenick. H L.
Sayler, G. S. Bridges, j. G. Davis F. c. Payne,
j. F. Powell, l. e. Powell, L. G. Yocumb, G.. c.
Warner, Chas. Hooper, w. N. Warren.
Franklin-Luther Short and wife, r. A.
Brown
Delphi. c. Odell, E. Rhinehart
Logansport-D, D, Tickle, T. Henderson Mrs
Peffermen, Miss Tober, W. J. Davis and wife,
Mrs. Fitch, John NJ Johnston, Miss Emma
Rosenthal, c. B. Lands, K. NJ, Lands, Miss
Kate Lands, Frank Norwood and wife, A J.
Murdoch and wife, Miss Anna Rice, George E.
Ross and wife, NJ. Winfield and wife, Mrs.
W. W. Fenrock and wife, j. F. Elliott
and wife, G. n, Hord and wife; Clark Taylor
and sister, Miss A. A. Rice, Misses Upton, W.
II. Forrest and wife, d. A Hauk and wife, G. B.
Boyer, G. w Groves, Otto A. Krauss, J. II.
lands, J. F. Coulson, Mr. and Mrs w. D.
Pratt, Miss Manlove, T. J. Carpenter
Bloomington, Ind:-Mrs. A. Armagoe, Mrs
w. D. NldFh, l. a DuSAtfh, w III ii. ADAMS, CndS.
9. Gardner, J. r. Burkett, W. J. Bryan, Miss
Hattie Moss, Mrs W. A Gale, Charles H. Moss.
Marshall. nL-R. L. Dulaney, Miss Nellie
Dulaney, Miss Ida Dulaney, H. NJ Janney,
Miss Janney
NIilton-D P Liebhardt and wife, A. Morris
and wife
Paragon, Ind.-NIiss Benedict, P. W. Blanden-
ship.
Crawfordsville-Z. L. Mcintosh, F. S. Wilson
Edinburg-John A Thompson, Edward
THOMPSON James s. Thomson Misses Lille
and Minnie Thompson, William Cutsinger.
Misses Hannah and Mollie Cutsinger, Henry
Maley, Prof. J. c. Eagle.
Columbus. A. McGtregor and wife.
Michigan City-George B. Rawson.
Fowler-George V. Stuart, J. B, Mckinney
leichmond-Holand Brinkley
Loogootee-John L.. Breen
Huntington-W. H. Hawley