The morning times., 1895-11-19
Mr.. HANFORD AS SHYLOCK
Splendid Rendition Of 1.-THE Mer-
chant Of Venics."
Excellent List of. f.Attractions Offered
to Large Audiences at the
Various Play houses.

"The Merchant OF Venice" was per-
formed last night as the opening play of
the weeks engagement OF Mr.. Charles b.
Hauford, Miss Nora O'Brien and Mr. Elihu
K. Spencer.
The audience was large, among those
in attendance being many who rarely are
found at any but sterling productions of
sterling plays. The crowd was also par
ticularly enthusiastic ard demoDstratiye.
SO much so that all the leading members OF
the cast were called out.
At the close OF the fifth act the applause
was so constant and imperative that Mr..
Hauford came out and made n speech OF
thanks for the manner i'll which the produc-
ton was received.
The play is indeed staged well. The
elopemeut OF Jessica was a very pretty
stage picture, as was Portals garden, at
Belmont. In the garden scene tue Loretto
quartet sang a barcarolle composed by
Prof. Mori and dedicated to Mr.. Hanford,
to which Jessica, Lorenzo, Portia, Nerissa
and the audience list ened with equal
pleasure.
Mr.. Hanford presents Shylock on some
lines differently from the traditional, and
especially in the court scene, in which Mr..
Hanford's reading suggests sense OF
hnmor IN the situation on the part nf the
Jew. In other passages in this scene he
uses emphases which are improvements on
some interpretations with which this pub
lie is familiar.
On the whole, his Shylock is an artistic
conception.
Miss O'Brien brings 10 bear on her por-
tion great many native graces and
| culture. education and refinement. which
are good things TO start with in young
actress. She has a charming stage pres
ence and an engaging manner. She plays
her ideal of Portia with judgment, sin
cerity and sympathy. There are yet, how
ever, traces of studies in defamation.
which, however excellent. do not conceal
the art.
Otherwise the bright and winsome actress
deserved highly all the applause and the
many recalls she received. She will un-
doubt edly succeed in her roles OF the week.
Mr.. Spencer's BassaniO was a spirited
presentment. 1t was good all the way
through. His merits were well rewarded
by the manner in which his work was re-
ceived.
THE Lorenzo of Mr.. Richard Buhler was
T, also well performed, as were Nerissa by
! Miss Ada 7. Eckert and Jessica by Miss
Marie DrOfnah.
Tonight the play will be 'Virginius."
In its new dress and improved here and
| there, Hoyts "A MIX White Flag" as
| seen at the National Thcater last night
was funnicr than ever before.
Crowds may come and crowds may go,
| but they will always come again when the
| colonel and the ma iur and the general and
| the widow and all are billed To- appear
Last nights audience was one or the
| largest as well as the most enthusiastic "f
the season.
The company is a strong one. and while
| 1t contains nearly all the original members
| it has several new additions, which have
materially Strengthened IL.
The local iavuTiie, Charley STANLEY. was
| seen in his original character, the colonel,
| and was as decidedly great favorite as
| he was when tB town enjoyed his MAJOR
Yell in 1.-The Texas Steer
Lloyd Wilson, the Major, was is always.
| a great favorite. He still retains his
| splendid baritone voice.
- Ed. Garvie, the surgeon, and John Marble.
the undertaken, are too well known to need
| further mention.
E. $. Wentworth is a new member of the
Ransom Guards" and William Distan, as
| the bandmaster, likewise a new face here,
were well received.
Asthegeneral Charles Warren also new
conner. was excellent in makeup and
| action. and is decided addition
OF Frank Lawton, the private ana the
| tramp, little more can be said except that
in his part, with whistling and dancing
| specialties, he made a decided hit.
As Piggott Luce, the corpse who dies to
win, George A. Beane, is new face here.
aud he duplicated his former successes In
Chinatown"
The ladies are as in all of Hoyt's CON-
panies, decidedly attractive in face and
| form. Miss Lee Lamar. as the widow,
| enacted difficult part with ease and
grace. Cora Tiunie is new recruit To the
company. and did well.
From present prospects the MIX White
| Flag" will wave over crowded houses all
| this week.