New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-03-20
,ry,yc AND MISS TERRY At wESr POINT.
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE PLAYED ~ GRANT
HALL BEFORE AN ENRArrUgEp AUDIENCE.

Trr MERCHANT OF VENICE PLAYED ~ GRANT
HALL BEFORE AN ESRArrUgEp AUDIENCE
WEST POINT March l9-The recent storm shows It.
self bore in snow clad fields, great drifts frozen
river and mountains streakcd with gray and silver.
shoss mouutans toward sunset, when we came, were
glorious with golden and purple light, not inaptly
cmbematic Of the light Of genius which presently was
10 illuminate the minds and thrill the hearts of this
community. In these when tic moment arrived,
there nothing but summer and enthusiasm Never
public more deeply stirred by dramatic event.
No Theatres curtain ever rosc upon "A brighter or
happier audience than this that greeted Henry Irving
and Ellen Terry in The Merchant OF Venice The
place Grant Hall 1t contained seats for about
700 persons, and every seat was taken. In front
lat the cadets, about $50 In number, all in uniform
Tho officers with General Park al their head, with
ladies of their families and contingent Of soldiers
made up the eager and res pcnsive throng. A tenn
porary stage the sOuihoyn end Of the hall was the
eCono Of the performance. The side scenes were
masked in with purple velvet drop curtain and
two parallel draper!cs constituted the scenery Each
scene denoted by words upon a g7ldcd banner
depend ne the front. Above the stage the Gags
oi the Republic and OF England were joined Ia an
evcrgrcen emblem OF friendship Nobody could have
missed the scenery. 1ts absence had no material
erect other than 10 emphasize the symmetry and
iolo- OF slascs peaIes comedy. The Merchant was
played exactly Mr.. Irving gives al the star The
aire and no, oMc Tine point sighted by any
iody concerned. Mr. IrvlLgs theory of acting, which
Is tho mpeTS nation of character rather than the dec
lamatloR 81 isusuage never had a more graphic and
brilliant Enforcement. From Shylocks first entrance
III that last hoirid sigh OF baiNcd vengeance with
which the jew departs he held his audience spell
ts.sEd he never acted Shy kocf with such sustained
Nis0r AID In the terrible aud trying siectscene never
icoie displayed s1ch a tempest of passion
Any artist would have been inspired by such an
audience. Tho eager, manly faces made
NEST animated picture. Every point
found instant appreciation and al several
momca's the Cheers of the cadets seemed fairly to
shake tic building. Ellen Terry, Is needless to say
has captured the whole garrison.
e" l do moi doubt said Mr. Irving in a graceful and
friendly speech. after all was over, thai the joy
bells are ringing IN London tonight, since for the first
tmc ia history English force has taken West Point"
II would not be easy to cxaggeraic The effect that
created by her delicious delivery OF PoTtis .
speeches whether thUse of banter those Of Dasslon
and thought and her winning and lovely, aud most
Wholesome and endearing glee. Every member
of lhe felt the unusual stimulsit
Of tie occasion, and acted with excsp tionai
vgoT. The >anOolOt OF Mr. JUhnson was one OF the
specially brilliant hits OF this memorable night The
occs aston is not oae for otjecton and qualification
M. Irving closed the Star Theatre and c.ine hero
with lbs whole company TO give free perfoi ulAi'c
for the pleasure az ihese students 30 shines sood
deed IN nau ghty world. THIS has given grcsf
happiness AID The occasion will long he remembered
a. one OF uhnxed delight performance In the
Ezabc;han style does not prove tina; scenery can he
dsc aded hui q shows that Il akrspea1e did not suNcr
so much A. Is supposed for the lack OF and that "a
many OF have Thought, We often favored with
more .: IL than We need. w W.