New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-06
rpu,vpH IN sHIrBU1LDING.
THE DRANA-MCS IC.
,,rvpy IRVING AND ELLEN TERRY.

SHYIOCK AND PcRIlA'
MI Irving and Miss Terry have ho' al an! ''iie
sc,sd with more splendid energy ihah mas oeeh
S.,..a,.ed nv then, during the engagement now in
nrocress at Abbey's Theatre. The consciousness
~, q parting with their public is close at hand
,oo,,a m have intensified their endeaVoIs 10 I'M
nrsss and please and the result has been series
OF the most powerful representations ever known
unon our stage Mr.. lrvines performance last
saturday night in The Lyons Mail" was amazing
IN the plentitude of its vigOr. and IN It's eNraor-
binary contrast Of those elements in human nature
which are by turns terrific and sublime; and 1t
evoked a popular demonstration such as seldom mas
been seem Miss Terry's embodiment OF queen Hen
rjetta-sgnalized by the regal magnilcence ana
overwhelming passion with which she delivered
the denunciation Of Cromwell-was an achievement
IN the highest reach OF dramatic art. and 1t placed
her tragic capacity beyond question. Both actors
have given q brilliant manifestation OF their aDun-
dant resources in a most spirited performance OF
Benedck and Beatrice. Their associates OF the
Lyceum Company have likewise made uncommon
efforts. Mr. Terriss has never been so important
and so brilliant in his acting Of late, ana hr.
Cooper Mr.. Tyars. Mr.. Bishop. Miss Millward, Miss
Colerdge and Miss Maud Milton have surprised
even their oldest admirers by the passionate
earnestness and vital spirit Of their art
Last night The Merchant of Venice was repre-
sented, and Mr.. Irving and Miss Terry repeated
their famous embodiments Of Shylock and Porila.
The wealth Of feeling that they poured into those
characters prodgious. and certainly II IS
Astonishing that in parts so hackneyed the fresh
bloom Of emotion should still remain unchanged.
Miss Terrys embodiment of Portia Is variable
because there are times when the serious side OF
the character is suffustd and over-borne by her
exuberant animal spirits: but on this occasion
she kept a perfect balance between the intellectual
dignity the passion. and the mirth and gave
representation that was entirely noble and tender
with thought and feeling, as well as radiant WIN
grace and glee. Her perfection as an actress Oh
high comedy could not be more authorltauVeiy
shown than in her matches management Ol
Portals opening scene-a passage wnlch SO oiIen
goes for nothing, under the blight OF strenuous ar u.
nee Mr.. Irving illustrates complete sponianeiy
in Shyfock He has reached command OF tIe
character so absolute that the embodiment IS
life rather than rather IL is art al me sum
NIT OF natural expression The quality that now
suffuses his embodiment Of Shylock IS mat OF
hectic wolfsh fever-the corrosive effect OF nalls
nant passion. stored up and ever ravenlng at the
roots OF the heart There has not been une
when he put forth such awful power az anlinatei
the Jew S passionate Outburst In the stormy, stree
scene and in the Trial he dominated equalIy 'he
situation and the audience with the terror OF az
implacable ferocity, incarnate IN an image age, OF
sustere Justice. His success was very, great.
"Recket" will be repeated tonight; OLIVIA on
Wednesday afternoon, and Louis Hl' on Nedhes-
day