New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-02
THE DRAMA-MUSIC.
ADA REHAN AS PORTIA.

The principal and most important dramatic
feature Of the hour. in this city Is Mr. Days
costly and splendid production OK Inc Me'oh"".
OF Venice" made on November 10. and current AZ
Dalv's Theatre ever since. This revival OF tho
most dramatically interesting and most exctins OK
Shakespeare's comedies has impressed thoushtiu'
observers with sense Of prodiga luxury ana hoo'7
intellectual effort Ada Rehan as Portia' Is tho
central figure In the pageant. and this strohs ana
earnest actress has more than satisfied the eager
expectation OF those by whom her acting Is most
admired. The character OF Porta. which. upon 'he
surface seems to be absolutely simple 49, IN TACT,
one Of the most difficult. as to interpretation Oh All
the comedy heroines OF Shakespeare: for 1t re-
uures personal beauty. such as can fascihate W
sensuous charm and at the same time can com.
mand homage with cool and stately dignity ana
It exacts spontaneous grace. as wei IN the u''e'
ance OF railery as In the expression OF passionate
love; and these attributes must be combined with
fine authoritative intellect. great moral fervor.
gentle charitable disposition. ard the faculty OF
eloquence There is nothing puny or narrow ABOUT
Poria all her words are noble. and the distin-
gushing characteristic Of all her conduc, IS
profuse, involuntary unconscious. lovely magma
nlmty Ada Rehan enters naturally and easily
into such character. because OF her tempera-
mental affinity with It. and she has brilliantly
proved she is able to personify f. because OF nor
complete control OF the means OF dramatic express
sion In high comedy There are three principal
pha Of Portals personality and experience 70 De
bearing and tremulous soliciude during the casket
scenes with Morocco ard Arragon: her lovely self
surrender 20 Bassanio. after he has MADE MS
happy choice: and her intense emotion COMPOUNDED
OF suspense and Of Intellectual ardor and effort, IN
her encounter with shylock AZ the trial Each OF
these phases fully and distinctly revealed ana
illustrated. and all Of them were blended INTO
sequence Of perfect and admirable symmetry.
As embodied by Ada Rehan. Portia. In her first
scene. is discovered half-recning upon couch, IN
gay talk with Nerissa The intention Of that scene
is an effect Of sparkling rail!ery: but. beneath ne
banter there Is fine vein OF feeling Il know.
says Portia 1T IS a sin TO be a mocker." No
previous representative Of the part has made this
point Il made by Miss Rohan-w.th gentle
ness In the playful satire; With just feeting
touch o. momentary, ponsive preoccupaton: and
with delicate sclf-conscousHess IT the mention
Of Bassanic. quickly yelled indeed, bat not so
quickly veied as TO hide the secret Of her heart
From that moment IN Miss Rehans performance
there could b. no doubt of her ntu!,ve comprehen-
sion Of Portia. and there could be question of
her success In the character. Her lofty courtesy
toward Morocco and toward Arragon. her eloquent
and exquisite byplfy. during BassaniOs moments
Of deiberat.on over the Baskets. her burst OF Joy
when his choice rightly made, and her sympa-
thetic delivery of the tender speech OF betrothal-
these beauties revealed her ideal Of Portia in it's
full stature Of loveness: and even without her
excellent treatment OF the trial scene,-a treatment
no less novel than powerfu-thesc beauties would
have completed her victory The poet has not
made 1t absolutely clear that Portia had con-
ference with her knsman. Belario. tho Old lawyer.
at Padua. We turned over many books together.
that learned person writes. addressing the Duke or
Venice but no allowance of time Is made for
Portals journey from Belmont to Padua and
thence 10 Venice. and this remark may be only
part OF subterfuge. suggested in the letter to her
legal relative that Pova is TO write. Il seems.
however, that the alleged flaw in the bond was
Portals discovery. and that old BellariO thought
point well taken. Hitherto every Portia OF tho
stage has entered the high court Of Venice with
compcsure. and even with jaunty assurance. taking
her ultimate triumph for granted. Ada Rehan. for
the first tine in TIE stage history Of The Mer-
chant Of Venice."-a; least. in the American
theatrc-nvested Portia with the anxiety and
solemnity. the socitous responsibility and deep
emotion. however well rcpressed. of person who
approaches. under dubious conditions, the settle
ment Of question of life death. This is the
right way 10 act this part; and Miss Rehans en-
bodment OF Portia.-stately. tender. and true IN
ideal, and growing rounder. fuller. and frmer In
It's artistic method. with every repetition-thus
affords a proof. II any such proof were needed.
Of the discrimination that underlies her
acting together with the brightness Of spirit, the
warmth Of heart the scope OF Imagination. and
the personal beauty and charm that are its perva-
slve and decisive attributes endearing her equally
to those who think and those who feel
Mr. Sidney Herberts impersonation OF Shylock
| which has already been sufficiently reviewed in
this place, has naturally become the theme Of
lively discussion, among persons who are interested
in this subject The embodiment has grown in
sustained force and consistency and 1t shows In
telect. close study. deep feeling and noble amb
ton. Upon its intellectual side X possesses much
merit and viewed the first attempt OF
comedian in a semi-tragical character II certainly
IS the best and the successful performance OF
| its class. that has been upon stage for
many years Upon the scenic investiture OF the
comedy Mr.. DAILY has bestowed great and
pense. and the resultant pageantry is very beauti-
| ful. The lovers OF Shakespeare will be wise 10
| improve their present opportunity of seeing Tho
| Merchant OF Venice" at Days Theatre. W. w.