The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-03-29
PROVIDENCE OPERA HOUSE.

shylock. ......................., Henry Irving
bassanio; ,s y, ;y,,.,i:,''''''''Mr Arthur Royston
jluhe OF Ncnice............ Mr.. n. L. Tabb
Acknowledgements Mr.. Laurence Irving
Prince OF Morocco. Mr. James s. IIearil
SalanlO. O..........,.........M Mr.. Charles Vane
Salarlno o.....................M Mr. J.. Belmorc
,fFttidno. .......s.+.........,-..Ai Mr.. r. Tyars
lorenzo '..'''..'.'. Mf. Harry y. stanford
iannceiot Gobbo Mr. cba.rial or r - archer
0id Gobbo........"........ Mr.. r. Reynolds
,saolef. :.....................Al .Alr. w. Graham
lseonardo. ....................Mr III. n. Cook
bdlthazar. ar.''.................M Mr. W. Marion
slephanO. ....,..........,....AI MIR. W. Albeit
Clerk Of the COurt.......Mr. g. H. Kenney
Jea.lc.t. t................. Miss Cecil Cromwell
Nerissa., Miss Maud Milton
Iortla. a......................M Miss Ellen Terry
IL was to an audience palpitatlng un-
der the spell Of superb acting and the
glamour OF magnificent rendering OF
shakespeare brilliant comedy, that
Sir Henry Irving bade farewell at the
close OF the fou.th act OF The Mer-
chant OF Venice" last evening in the
Providence opera House. A nota-
bly, dramatic occasion IL was-notable,
as 70 play, TO players and to spc .ta-
tors. Never before had the undying
lines OF the unrivalled dramatist been
~
depreciation, and never in this city. at
least had a mere cultured and repre-
sentative audience gathered 70 near
them. From orchestra rail to the up-
permOst tier in the saliCry not = va.
cant seat could BE- found, while every
inch OF standing room that prudence
would permit Was occupied. And ths
vast assemblage, inspired and thrilled,
as perhaps It's Individual UNITS had
sion TO It's delighted appreciation IN
yOlleyed applause.
IL Was IA response 10 repeated thun-
dcrous appeals that at the close of the
trial scene, Mr. Irving spoke his fare
Well lie expressed the sincere ap-
probation OF Miss Terry and himself
of the warm recogn tion accorded their |
work and incidentally referred 10 The |
Merchant of Venice as the most bril- !
liant OF Shakespeare's comedies. To |
friends at whose hands he had re- |
ceived courtesies, 10 the management |
of the Opera House and TO the press i
he offered thanks for the kindness. |
helpfulness and consideration shown /
his associate and himself. Mr.. Irvng /
spoke in no perfunctOry manner. |
Rather did he appear 10 be moved by
the splendid reception accorded him |
and TO speak from the heart, especially
when in closing, he voiced the wish |
that the future might find him again
before his Providence friends.
Except those of homage there were
probably very few who witnessed last
evenings 3 performance who were not |
familiar with the comedy. and knew
of the traditions which have
TO its two dominant charac-
ters, but II any there were disposed To |
make comparisons with previous p0r-
traitures the effort must have failed
utterly. Mr.. lrving's Shylock can be
compared with none which have pre-
,eded IL. 1t is "A creation distinctly in
tividual and massive in its authorita-
tive expression. His Jew. while he feels
he cOntemptuOus treatment OF his race
S moved less by that than by the things
nat interfere With or thWart his gold
yrasping inst net. His maleyolence is
'h!eHy a personal product; mis- desire
or revenge is prompted very slightly
~ Hebraic patriotism. He is a selfish,
niserly, cruel monster. almost repellant
wen when his paternal nature is
wounded into grief by the flight OF his
laughter. For this Shylock there is
lelther sympathy nor pity He is the
OF hate: he Is influenced
olely by an overpOwering thirst for
engeance. He is subtle shrewd, fawn-
ng. but ever seeking that pound
t flesh. Mr.. Irving real zed every pos
ible phase of the character by the ex-
rclse of the most consummate art.
iahgnant hatred, fawn'ng syc0phancy
oubt and despair a gamut of contrast
lg emotions, were expressed by voice
nd action with such subtlety and
over as 70 create a complete illusion
{ reality. And so il was with the en-
re lmpeTsonation. Ii was mastery
nd convincing and such as nothing ,
,ss than absolute genius could have
lade possible
In striking contrast with the sombre
hylock was Miss Terry's lightsome I
nd winning Portia. shakespeare 3
as drawn no more lovabc wo-
an. than Portia and no finer eXposi-
on Of her character can possibly ,
e hoped FOR than that of Miss Terry 5
er natural gifts are many and she re- q
ins them in all their beauty and :
larm while her complete mastery OF !
.r art serves TO make her ,
an ideal one. :
his was recognized last night .
ia Miss Terry shared equally .
IN her distinguished associa I'm the =
wish commendation their efforts drew =
rth. Tho supporting company was as :
whole one or rare excellence. the only y
,rticularly weak spot being Mr., Roy =
on's Bassanio. :,
This evening Chauncey Olcott viii !,
Sin three nights cnga cement in =,
\ Romance OF AthlOne"