Morning journal and courier., 1890-01-17
entertainments.



Before the largest and the most brilliant
and enthussstic audience of the season Mr..
Edwin Booth and Madame Helena Modjeska
appeared in "The Merchant of Venice" at the
Hyperion Theater last evening. The expecta-
tions of all lovers Of the legitimate drama had
been raised to the highest pitch and yet it
can be truly said that no one went home from
the theater disappointed. It was magni6-
cent performance by the greatest English
speaking actor, the most charming of cemedi-
Tho play was as acceptable as the players.
"The Merchant Of Venice" Is one of the most
famous of Shakespeare's comedies and It had
not been played here for several years. It
will be thirteen years next April since Mr..
Booth appeared as "Shylock" before an audi
ence that tested the capacity of old Music
Hall, and the only notable impersonation of
that by Mr.. Lawrence Barrett in December,
1880. On both these occasions only four acts
were given, the play ending with the trial
scene. Last evening the entire play was en-
acted and the performance may therefore be
described AZ not only the best but also as the
Arst complete production of the comedy
within the memory of our local theatsr.goers.
Mr.. Booths reputation II worldwide, and it
needs only to be said that ne did himself full
JubtAcC Auou OVOhAuks AA0 NoAyAOoA hC pAC~
sented to his auditors will always be remem-
bered by them as a masterpiece of acting,
elocution and Shakespearean Interpretation.
The most remarkable thing about Madame
Modjeska Is that she, q Polish actress, has
become ono of the leading exponsnts of
Shakespeare hsroines and that too in his
own language. "Portia" is the latest addi-
ton to her repertoire and If the character is
not as well suited to her as Beatrice" and
"Rosalind" still 1t is one which she succeeds
in making very charming and interesting
The pleading tone in which she addresses
"Shylock" in the court scene ia new inter-
probation of the lines and most effective
one. Her scenes with "Bassanio" were the
best, however, and nothing could be better
than her acting in the last scene. Too much
praise cannot be given to the supporting
company, every member of which deserves
special mention. Mr.. Otis Skinner, for sew
eral years a prominent member of Days
comedy company, made an unusually fine
looking "Bassanio" and Mr.. Charles Hanford
gave an admirable Improvisation of "Grati-
ano." The low comedy part Of "Launcelot"
Owen Fawcett. Miss Mazda Cragen was q
very pretty "Jessica" and she dressed the
part to perfeetiou. She and Mr.. Lawrence
Hanley as "Lorenzo" made as fine a
pair of lovers a. one often sees on the stage
or off 1t. The costumes were good and the
stage settings for the fourth and fifth acts
were quite elaborate. The vocal music under
the direction of Mr.. w. R. 8. Morris was a
pleasant feature of the play and received a
deserved encore. The only thing to be
regretted is that Manager Bunnell was able
to secure but one night of such drawing
attraction. It Is simply provoking to think
that the company appears In Hartford to-
night and tomorrow afternoon and evening.
aLEE CLUB CONCERT.
The sale of seats for the concert of the
Yale Glee and Banjo clubs at the Hyperion
on Monday night, will open at 1880 o'clock
this afternoon at the Hyperion box office.
The affair will undoubtedly be the brilliant
success which 1t has been on former years.
The programme is: