New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-28
THE DRAMA.
MIR. MANSFIELD'S PRODUCTION OF "TIIA
MERCHANT OF VENICE"

In the revival Of 1.-The Merchant Of Venice thae
Mr.. Mansfield has accomplished at Hermann $ ihe.
atre the community possesses fruitful source ot
pleasure and benefit. That lovely comedy has peen
set upon the stage with unusual care ana dressed
with great beauty No previous presentment Oh IT,
indeed. has been adorned with such copious vari'
ETY. OF magnificent garments. The incidental music,
furthermore-which Is made with stringed insuu'
ments and not with brasJ-is exceedingly dehcate
and delightful, and such as could not ran 10 charm
and satisfy the most refined and fastidous 'aslo'
The introduction of dancing sprtes at the begin
ming OF the fifth act, affords to the garuen seems
an effect OF novel variety and brilliant animation
Every point in the operation OF the drama-scen'
cry, costumes lights. music business, pictoriaA
grouping and apt effect Of sharp climax-shows the
influence Of an ingenious and liberal nina. AS ths
practical exposition of an English classic the pa
reant "a round coherent and complete and although
a dminutive stage necessarily dwarfs some or the
pictorial effects, the final impression Is one o.
opulence and of rare poetic charm.
Mr.. Mansfelds embodiment of Shylock has ale
ready been recognized in this place as wonder
full effort. Certainly it was For copious eloquence
atiuent power and vigorous sustainment OF def'
mite ideal, that embodiment Of Shylock,-even IN
this the morning of its youth-ranks with the pest
that have been seen. 1t Is an open question
whether Shylock should be made an image of aus
tere religious grandeur, the incarnation OF peT'
sonal hatred and memorable vengeance Macklin
and Edmund Kean and Edwin Booth inclined to
the latter view of the subject, and that view, ac-
cordngly, has the sanction Of men VINO surely wers
great actors. on the other hand, the theory Oh
Shylock as a type of racial resentment and retri.
button was urged by such writer's as Victor Hugo
and Ludwig Borne; it seems to have been adopted
by Observation-Disclosures his great point was the
horrid tone at Come, prepare to some ex.
tent it was followed by Irving. There is
more subtety in 1t than there Is in the
simpler theory; but it's practical result while
hin -
Booths embodiment of Shylock considered
great piece of actng,-though not in its first year,
when indeed, ii was uneven and dubious,-ahd
Edwin Booth always laid the chief emphasis on
personal resentment Mr.. Mansfeld's ideal Of Shy"
lock will, doubtless undergo changes. At the
beginning however he struck the same note thas
was struck by Booth-the note OF impacable malig'
nity Without that note there could be no Shylockl
and IL Is impossible to pay higher TRIBUTE 70
Mr.. Mansfelds embodiment of the jew than 10
hail it worthy OF remembrance and respect
beside the Shylock OF Booth In the element OF
sensibity II is, even now, more human than thas
of his famous predecessor MIR. Mansfield made
Shylock embrace Jessica several times, when part
ing from her. and caused him to evince painfu!
with the presentiment that they were to meet M
more. lie wrought an effect OF deep patnos' atso
by making the jew rush forth from the house. al,er
the discovery of Jesscas flight, and SINK; IN mrs
cry upon the amid The eers OF tne m ask
touches denote the deep heart and ihoughttul mind
Sa true BUSINESS IN Win he the bass Of gold was ali
new and 1t aided to deepen the horror Oh an lh'
Other Jews are present in the court and, upon
the solicitation OF Bassanio they inspect inc dusats
to accept them; there is grin, pause; and shy:
lock then finally dashes the gold upon the ground
thought and keen sense Of dramatic effect were
shown in ths.-and indeed were shown In many
Was Was as rm he had acted !, many times and
historical passion
vigor. lie has set before this public personality
ha Is shst is work
Miss Cameron was subjected TO a harsh test as
Portor whereas the w character seems to re
authority, strong intellectually and deep and pas
tender and tremulous. sweet and gentle, and OF q
personality that wins by its soft loveness and
Miss Cameron managed all the difficult by-play OF
the casket scenes in mood OF sympathetic emotion
and with assured dexterty. and carried her portion
spirited action and her fluent delivery of the text
effect of beautiful and touching sincerity. Breadth
and power in the part she has 70 acquire Refine.
possesses. and those she manifested. Mr.. Harkins
Invested AntonGS ia. with the gentle CRAFTY that Is
character. and pleased his hearers with clear and
fine delivery Of the meodoHs lines Sv Nj mr. FSees
speaking. gave additional! pungency to the words
Of difficult character His grave demeanor in the The
right effect. Mr. Andrews and Mr. Griffith elected
Cobb S ccoqSy there Is U for
Arragon fantastic his speech is one OF the wisest
speeches in Shakespeare; but fnlilling the man;
the Jap very neatly. One of the best OF the sub
sidiary impersonations that or Morocco, oy
Mr.. Torrence.-a work of dignity grace and me
character and. at the same time, an embodiment.
This Is the full cast
The Duke OF Venice .............-..; MT Gflnim
The Prince OF Morocco ............-Mr. Iorrelce
A",oaio 10Th the merchant iS" Of arsIa:
snsn"lS: Friend. Mr. . f iOss
Salano. An,a sS ,.......MMr nwoaaey
Irrrnzo In love with Jesslca........Mr BoucIeaule
Shylock DIT ,i"m mn.s
Launcelot Gobbo a clown. NJ Na,..s
Baltnasar racxs To Miss Roiadt lSlniLrdye
Stcphuno - fvIt. - Mis- Maud Venner
Jesslca, Shylock's daughter. Miss SIuncv woIn
Nerssa, Portals waiting maid Niles Albert .'alntn
Portia, . rich hcireS- Miss Beatrice Camsroe