The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-26
AT THE THFATERS.

When Shakespearean drama IS presented
as faithfully and adequately as Richard Mans
held and his company presented THE Mer-
chant of Venice at the Metropolitan last
night, the people. regardless of station and
education, will respond. That was surely
demonstrated last night. The appreciative
attitude of the large audience afforded con-
vincing testimony that Shakespeare is not
dead, the matter of-faet iconoclasts who
worship nothing above farce-comedy insist
upon proclaiming. The notable excellence
and superiority of the presentation as a whole
consisted in the intelligent purpose manifest
ed throughout, the distinctness of enunciation
on the part Of all the players, the fidelity to
the spirit of the great dramatist appar-
ent at ali times. For this credit must be
given to Mr.. Mansfield as well as to the
talent of his company
Muittform in its beauties is this de-
lightful comedy-some esteem it beyond any
other-Shyiock the Jew; rivets our attention.
Truly a distinctive and wonderful creation
the actor who would .embody the character.
who would look it, feel it, and act it, must
possess two highly developed faculties: A
close denotement of and sympathy with the
masters conception, and the mimetic ability
to picture to the eye of another the embodi-
ment or that conception. This Mr.. Mansfield
does. His Shylock has an individuality that
the most casual observer will not soon forget.
Its dignity is It's striking quality. The i'm
personation is clearly and gratifyingly free
from touch Of theatrcism. Its reality is
irresistible. No tricks of elocution recall the
actor. In the extended speeches, closing with
the climaxes that burst forth so naturally and
inevitably from the Shakespearean pen. Mr..
Mansfield achieved the triumph of realism
in its best sense. He forgot the studied m1du-
lattons and subtle infections of the eiocution-
list. He reflected and pictured in the warmest
colors the nature, the passion and the heart
Of Shylock. More effective readings and sig
nitcant interpretations Of certain detached
expressions Of Shakespeare's Jew have been
heard, but they died with Edwin Booth II
is noticeable that Mr.. Mansfield manifests a
tendency to sacrifice the nice reading of a
line to the composite picture of the char
acter-Shylock. The principle is one that some
Of our evolutionary actors who have histrion
ic ability might We'll cultivate Still Mr..
Mansfield can easily make his night scene
with Jesstca more impressive. and there are
few lines in the trial scene susceptible of a
more effective delivery than Mr.. Mansfield
chooses to tmpart IT, Possessed Of a resonant
and powerful voice, magnetic person
ality and pre-eminent histrionic genius.
Mr.. Mansfield Is exceptionally endowed with
the qualities so essential to the actor His
Shylock is not Mr. Mansfield with a gray
beard glued to his face and the lines at his
| tongues end. 1t lis rather the counterfeit
presentment of the character whom Shakes
peare conceived-the mercenary, merciless and
miserable. the prosecuted, devout and Ioval
Jew. 1 pay
Beatrice Cameron's inapersonation Of Portia
must be commended for its sympathetic quail
ity, and criticised, for it's lack of masculine
dignity in the trial scene Not that Portia
should behave like a real man, but she should
try to a little more than Miss Cameron does.
Miss Cameron read the immortal tribute to
mercy with refined expression that touched
all hearts. a.
Mr.. Jewett's impersonation of Antonio was
in the nature ofc an innovation, this role
usually being assigned to a mediocre per-
former. Mr.. Jewett Is virile actor, whose
portrayal of Antonio was satisfactory to a
degree. e ~
The Bassanio of Mr.. Wharf was frank,
manly picturesque gentleman, agreeable to
the senses, but just tri1e indistinct in the
casket scene.
Ben Johnsons Grattano was a breezy,
hearty, ingenious young man as he should
be- Mr. johnson delivered the salient lines
effectively. for not only was his emphasis
correct, but every word was audible Praise
is due Mr. Andrews for his excellent imper-
sonatfon of Launcelot Gobbo and his digni-
fed portrayal of the Duke of Venice, two
widely different roles. The Jessica of Miss
Gretchen Lyons was entirely satisfactory,