Omaha daily bee., 1896-10-06
,,rY, q e Sssarge
AMUSEMENTS. A
III 81 Si Jg Isi ii 81 iS ii

In choosing a play of Shakespeare's, ana
particularly "The Merchant Of Venice, for
the opening bill of his engagement here,
Mr. Richard Mansfield was no doubt inlu-
enced by a belief that love for the work OF
the greatest Of all dramatists yet fingered
among us, and that many would be drawn
by an announcement of the performance OF
that play. the richest Of all in characteriza-
tion. The event developed no all-pervading
desire for either Shakespeare or his WORKS,
If the not very large attendance may be
taken as a measure OF Omaha's craving 1or
The classical drama A magnificent per-
formance was given, however, scenically ana
dramatically; and the audience, though not
I great one, nor very enthusiastic at tne
outset, attained to considerable degree OF
warmth before the entertainment closed.
"The Merchant of Venice" as compared
with other plays from the hand of the mas
ter. offers an unusual variety OF characters
which stand out in strong accentuation.
Shylock, Portia, Bassanio, Nerissa Gratiano,
Jessica Lorenzo, Antonio, Launcelot, are all
personages who call for the best efforts of
those who portray them. The deeps OF some
Of them were by no means sounded last
night; but OF others the length and breadth
were so admirably filled out that the future
is not likely to show a Characterization more
effective and completely satisfying. Or
these Mr.. Mansfeld's Shylock is easily first;
not because he is the star, nor because the
Jew is the dominating figure OF the play.
So fine an artist might even make great
things out of small, Mr.. Mansfield has
done before. His pre-eminence is due to
his surprising merits. This Shylock so
towers above those about him in intellect
ual force as to produce perfect illusion OF
physical superiority as well. There Is only
one touch of softness in him-his love for
his daughter, finely contrasted with his pas
sion of avarice by the tender parting from
Jessica before her elopement. Pride of race
eXhaustess thrift and bitterness of soul
! born of personal and inherited wrongs al
the hands of Christians. have crushed out
all the noble qualities OF mind which he
| must once have possessed. His lot Is cast
among those whom he hates. He scorns
| TO conciliate them, he cannot successfully
| withstand them. He lends them money, anC
exacts tribute from them: this is his re
| venge for all his injuries. And then tn,
| opportunity comes when he sees within hi!
grasp an awful vengeance upon one OF the
| most detestable Of the hated brood. The
pent-up malignity OF his soul bursts forth
and he becomes wild beast following hi!
| prey; ferocious. yet full Of dignity withal
| standing at bay among the jeering Chris
| tians in the court compelling the respec
Of the onlookers and carrying even more
| with him when he makes his last effective
exit, broken, but never bent.
Certain OF the business used by Mr.. Mans
! field in playing this part Is his own and il
| strong and appropriate. His discovery o
| his daughters crime is perhaps that which
| as a picture will stay longest in the mind
He comes wildly forth from the house anC
| the maskers make way awfully before him
| He stands a moment, swaying with hi!
| arms stretched to heaven; then falls to hi
| knees, and so upon his face grovelling upoT
| the earth and the jewellers swarm abou
| him with shouts and ribaldry. Neither vii
| his bearing in the courtroom be speedil!
| forgotten-his Oriental squatting upon th'
| floor and his horrible whetting of the seine
| tar-like knife upon the sole of his shoe-no
| the superb gesture of mingled pride ant
weakness with which he twice wraps hi
mantle about him before he staggers from
the scene 1t was at this point that thu
audience, arriving at the boiling point
called Mr.. Mansfield three times before tn,
! curtain.
| The Portia of Mrs Mansfield is one of tht
| most entirely pleasant things done by thi
| charming artist, whose sweet personality il
best adapted to roles like this She reaC
| the beautiful lines beginning, THE qualt,
| OF mercy Is not strained" thoroughly well
| and with admirable sympathy; and she was
| equally effective in the light comedy man
ner of her first dialogue with NeTissa anC
| the raZZle- e-dazzlement of the rings, and IL
the more serious adventure of the caskets
| Mr.. Andrews offers perhaps the bes
| Launceot Gobbo at present shown upon the
stage. His work last night in that Difficult
role was so good that one cannot desire Il
| see II better done Mr.. Jewett was manly
| but not otherwise remarkable Bassanio
| Mr.. johnson as Gratiano, talked an infinite
| deal of nothing' in very resonant voice
| and Mr.. Christie was decidedly clover as tn,
| poppish Prince of Arragon. Miss Evelyr
| was much admired for the splendor of hel
attire, and not less for her grace of manner
and her excellent performance of Nerissa
and Miss Alice Pierce, the winning mal(
who was old Shylock's daughter. afforded
unmiXed pleasure to eye and ear and artistic
appreciation,
The Merchant of Venice" is put on tn
| stage with brilliant layishness, and with
variety and sumptuousness in costumes an,
| properties and an accuracy in detail a.
| grateful as unusual. The program las
! night from every point OF view, was en-
tirely enjoyable. 1t will be repeated at tn,
matinee on Saturday, and the Creighton
theater should be packed to the doors. To
night for the first time in Omaha, dra
matization of Hawthornes powerful ro
nance. THE Scarlet Letter" will be pre-
sented. with Mrs Mansfield as Heste
Prynne, Mr.. Mansfield as Dimme sdale an
Mr.. Andrews as old Roger Chllinsworth.
The Bttner Theater company opened
weeks engagement at the Boyd last nigh
| in the drama IAN Unequal Match" Tn
| company opened the engagement to a full
| house. The Shamrock quartet is a popu
lar feature OF the combination. Tonigh
the house is engaged for other purposes
but with this exception the company vii
be there all week.
The representative for the WAITS of Ney
York. popular Harry Vance, has arrived Il
the city, and is making his presence know
| by his usual hustling skill in making prepa
rations for the annual engagement Of hi
| winsome little star, Katie Emmett Mr.
| Vance says his attraction Is greater thar
! ever. and has been receiving cordial recep
tions in all the cities visited this season
| The coming engagement at the Boyd Is 70