The Saint Paul globe., 1896-12-09
AT THE THEATERS.

The Merchant of Venice" with Walker
"nlteside in the role Of Shyiock, was the bill
at the metropolitan opera house last night.
Mr. Whitesides impersonation OF Shakes
peare's Jew merted larger audience than it
drew 1t is an achievement that stamps Mr..
"hiteslde as an actor Of uncommon attain
ments. 1t demonstrates beyond question that
ne has studied the great dramatist to some
purpose. given intelligent thought to his mas
terly creations and devoted his natural abil-
tues with reverential spirit to the inter-
probation Of role that few actors can cope
with successfully. Mr.. Whiteside's Shyiock
Is distinct characterization, into which his
own personality is seldom obtruded, and
tnen not in such fashion as to seriously
mar the symmetry and color of the por-
trayal. Mr.. Whiteside correctly emphasizes
the better qualities of the Jew, his deep
paternal love for his Jessica, the affectionate
remembrance Of his dead wife and his sacred
devotion and reverence for the religion of
MS fathers. The appreciative reader of this
play must always be impressed with these
traits of Shylock's character which awaken
sympathy that many stage exponents of
the role fail to arouse by depicting in too
broad and glarng colors the revengeful ma
ture of the man. When one stops to con-
slider the relentless persecution to which his
race was subjected, one is scarcely astonished
at his bitter hatred of the Christians. Had
'all their hairs been lives his great re-
venge would have stomach for them ALL
Mr.. Whiteside exceeded all expectations in
the great trial scene Not that it was antici-
pated he would fail here, for he is an accom-
plished actor, but in view of his comparative
youth, it was scarcely to be hoped that he
would so successfully counterfeit the stolid
and deliberate repose characteristic of ma
tured and elderly man, of Shylocks tempera-
ment, who believes he has the law on his
side and his victim within reach of his ven
geance. Mr. Whiteside was a picturesque
figure throughout this scene. His makeup
was striking and his facial expression elo-
quent with thesemotions of the Jew.
Yet Mr.. Whiteside was guilty Of a most
incomprehensibles piece of business, in walk
ing up the stage, and keeping his back to the
audience, while Portia was permitted to ad-
vance to the footlights and speak the lines
that told Shylock that his goods were confs-
Gated to the state.
OF Miss Moore's Portia, little commenda-
tory can be said She played 1t with a swag-
ger that robbed it OF all charm and poetry
The Bassanio of Mr.. Herman was satisfac-
tory, and the Antonio Of John M. Sainpolis
exceptionally good Herbert Pattee's Gratiano
was much too loud and explosive.
Mr. Whiteside will appear twice at the
Metropolitan today, presenting at the matinee
and evening performance the new poetic
drama, Eugene Aram'' The character Of
Eugene Aram, the unfortunate English schol-
ar, who lived so long solitary recluse during
the eighteenth century, is we'll known in his
tory, and affords fruitful subject for the
art of the playwright. Bulwer Lytton created
powerful novel out of the history of Aram's
melancholy life, and Thomas Hood, in his
ballad, The Dream of Eugene Aram,' por-
trays the wretched schoolmaster in a manner
which excites at once the readers interest
and sympathy. The authors have taken in
measure, the plot of Lord Lytton's novel
as basis for their play, and have also inter
woven a charming love story throughout the
drama. The famous defense made by Eugene
Aram, when on trial for his life in York
prison, 1853, is retained in the trial scene in
the play. Mr.. Whiteside will appear as Eu-
gene Aram, and Charles d. Herman as Rich
ard Houseman.
Tomorrow evening "Othello' will be pre-
sented, with Mr.. Whiteside as Iago and Mr..
Herman as Othello
'Tennessee's Pardner," dramatization by
Scott Marble Of Bret Hartes novel by that
name will be the attraction at the Grand
opera house the coming week.
''The Girl l Left Behind Me- has never
been better presented in this city than is wit
ent week. Today at 2:sO the first popular
priced matinee Of the engagement will be
given. II Ii
90.
Conover hall held the largest audience ever
assembled there last evening to witness the
wonderful demonstration of the mysterious
power possessed by Ana Eva Fay. Miss
Fay and her company can remain in ST. Paul
only till Sunday evening next.
The advance sale of reserved seats for the
concert to be given at the Peoples church
Tuesday evening, Dec. 15 by Nine. Lillian
Nordica, Charles Gregorowitsch, Mrs. Her
mann Sche4er and a chorus of 200 from the
University Of Minnesota will be opened this
morning atf9 o'clock at Howard, Farwell &
Co.'s music) store.
! ssI =
Prof. Samri Baldwin and wife. ''The White
Mahatmas" will begin weeks engagement
at at the M METROPOLITAN opera house next Sun
d9
Conover hall was sold out long before the
Anna Eva Fay performance began last night