New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-16
THE DRAMA.
HENRY IRVING AND ELLEN TERRY

sHfBOCk AND PORTA.
In the Knickerbocker Theatre. last night s,.,.
spesre's lovely comedy Of "ThA Merchan, =,
Venice" was finely set and brilliantly acted u.,."
Irving again embodying the grim and ,srr,h,.
character of shyiock and Ellen Terry again v...
ing the magical spell Of her bewitchment a, -.
noble generous and gentle Portia. These ir,.r
sonations are not new to this community, but ,b..
recurrence f. important. because for the your,..
generation Of paygoers, IL brings the priy,l.y. :.
seeing a splendid dramatic theme Adequately no.
trayed and great characters worthily reprc,en,..
In Henry Irving's mpersonation Of Shylock --alv..
remarkable for unity, symmetry. and fnish--th.,.
was. II possible, an accession OF racial intividusp
ty, an augmented weight OF austere character an.
an increased denotement OF that miserable lo,.r
which invests man whose soul is devo,.a
to evil purpose for wicked intent lsolates N.
man who harbors It, and bad passions. consurnin.
the heart, ravage the person. scar the face ara
vitiate the voice. To the prodglous physical .xac
ton OF the street scene I'm the third act Henry
Irving has never seemed 10 be entirely and ab,o
lutely equal The passion there Is "dlstrauyh,
strange. outrageous and variable" but he nevs,
can have given in It more authoritative NANTES,
tation OF his art than he gave last night tn.
growth, the conflict. and finally the tempest OF
passions in the utterance OF the sequent question,
as to Jew and Christian, were displayed WITH
tremendous intensity that surpassed am
possible effect OF physical strength. and TIL,
emotion produced an appalling effect OF truth
There was depth Of pathos likewise. in the ton.
and manner OF the allusion to Leah and the tu,.
quose ring such other representative OF shy.
lock has Indicated The transition 10 vindctiys
derious. almost maniacal Joy. over the news o.
Antono's ruin had in II the fierce fire Of hatred
and certain scorpionllke aacrity that are fear.
fully eloquent of evil II has always been notabls
In Henry Irvings acting OF shylock. that he en-.
- hum
such as the parting from Jessca the reference c
Leah. the meeting with Tubal and the self-pity,uy
lament that no grief but his own has fallen on he
world The purpose, in this. perhaps nay
be TO intimate the mitigating truth that
the resentment OF kind nature, vhs
1t has been unjustly, cruelty. and bru,slr
treated is apt to he more bitter. more deadly
more irrational and more utterly reckless thar
that Of nature essentially hard and cold I
would be difficult matter. however. 10 make
Shylock anything other than incarnation q
wickedness: and. grand and splendid though ty
| Jew becomes in Henry Irving's Image OF Hebrat
austerity and Mosaic law It is in the terrible aspect
OF the part that this great actor attains 10 the
highest eminence of his power. The performers
grows steadily In every element of terror and dread
until the climax of the Trial. and then sudderiyk
falls-like a massive oak that is smitten BY al
avalanche Henry Irving was often applauded and
at the close was loudly cheered.
For Ellen Terry the public enthusiasm has no
limit The consummate ease with which she a.
sumes and maintains character the mel.
ody Of her speech. the clarity and sweetness
OF her articulation. the fne spiritual intel
lgence and unerring precision with which she
gives 10 every word It's exact shade OF meaning the
grace Of her movements, and the spontaneity OF al
that she says and does. and is.-these faculties
and attributes could have no other result thar
10 make her. as old Ben Jonson somewhere grace.
fully phrases It, Mistress OF arts and hearts and
everything" Her embodiment OF Portia retains
all its charm, and II now possesses, II anything
more than its former strength-particularly in the
trial scene. No player is happier In illuminativs
"business"-the byplsy OF helpful action. Her
mpulsve OF the leaden casket. after
Bassano had made his wise choice Of Il and
taken out Portals picture. an inspiration
II is by means like these that the actor
interprets the poet and becomes kindred with
him in genius and art. Mr. Tyars. though
not an actor of the buoyant or voatl.
temperament. entered perfectly into the spirit,
Gratiano. Laurence Irving. with a capital make
for Antonio, read the part with admirable apr.
citation of its pensive, interpretive ruminant SAT-
ness-a sadness. however. not incompatible win
spleen of temper and some violence of speech.
An earnest, dgnified and rightly emotional per.
Torrance of Morocco, by Mr.. James s.. Hearn no,
only pleased by Its appropriate action but by It's
correct speech. Mr. Royston's assumption o,
Bananio can be recorded as gentle In spirit ard
refined in manner. The Merchant Of Venice" will
be repeated this evening and on Friday evening
and Saturday afternoon. The Irving season here
will close on Saturday night with Nance Old.
field" and The Bells" Wv.