The Savannah morning news., 1901-11-09
AT THE THEATER.
''Merchant of Venice" and Henry
VIII" TO-dny's Attractions.


VIII" To-day's Attractions.
The closing attraction of the week
is the Modjeska and James productions
of Merchant of Venice" at to-days
matinee, and Henry WIZ tonight.
AS Portia, in Merchant of Venice, :"
Modjeska gives the greatest portrayal
Of the part that has ever been seen in
this country, according to the critics.
This, indeed, is quite compliment,
when it is taken into consideration
that the last revival of this famous
play was made in this country with
Henry Irving and Ellen Terry, the
latter as Portia.
The scene invesitura, the costumes,
the properties and other accessories
are said to be designed on the most
elaborate scale that is possible, for IL
lustra ting the pomp and eXtraVagant
splendor so characteristic of the play,
which are said to have ben particu-
larly emphasized in the present pro-
duction made by Wagenhals & KEN
per for this great legitimate organiza-
tion headed by Modjeska and James
At night Henry VIII" VIII be the
iill. In presenting Henry VIII
Messrs. Wagenhals & Kemper
have made every effort, assisted by a
liberal outlay of money TO make 1t as
pictorially effective as the memorable
production in which Sir Henry irving
and Tllen Terry appeared about fifteen
years ago.
William A. Brady's "'Way Down
East" will be seen for the first time
in Savannah Monday and Tuesday
nights and Tuesday matinee. The
story of the play is simplicity itself.
A young woman who has been betray-
ed by means of a mock marriage finds
refuge in the house of ap honest old
New Hampshire farmer. Her child is
dead. and so are all her hopes in life.
Nevertheless, she wins at once the
love of the old farmers only SON. The
latter is engaged to be married to his
cousin, his fathers pet. Neither OF
them cares for the other, and the un-
happy waif who has been taken INTO
the family circle seems likely to ma
a husband and happiness in fact, un-
til a village busybody reveals her mot
tied past Then the father, with some
justification, set his foot down and
turns the girl out of the house on a
winters night. Before she goes, how
ever, she is able to denounce the au-
thor of her wrongs, who happens to
be counting the very girl whom the OLD
farmer is intent upon marrying to
his son. This is the climax of the play
and as the curtain falls we see the
heroine going out into the storm, pur-
sued by the farmers son. The last
act brings the farmer to a full reallz-
alton of the situation. the unhappy
girl is transformed into the heartily
welcomed bride-to-be of the farmer
lad. and her betrayer is kicked oui
rather too politely, but none the less
thoroughly.
As a whole. the story is well told
and the third act is nationally devel-
oped and the dramatic climax as
strong as one could ask for. 1t must
be said that the play aims for whole
someness and genuinely human senti-
ment in its every line.
One of the events of next week will
be The Gay Mr.. Goldstein," Wednes-
day matinee and night. The sale OF
seats is now on. In the play Mary
Hampton will interpret a character
similar to those she has been seen ir
during her long association witt
Charles FrohmaR's companies, as lead
ing lady. Thos. J. Kepgh will play the
title role, Mr.. Goldstein, which is q
the refined and not exaggerated type
and the only Hebrew character in thu
play. George c. Boniface. Jr.'s role
was specially written for him, and il
of the kind he has been starring IL
since he temporarily retired from thu
comic opera field such as in ''Wha
Happened to Jones'" THE Man From
Mexico" etc. 1t was Mr.. Greenwalli
original intention to star Miss Hamp
ton and Mr.. Keogh in THE Gay Mr.
Goldstein," and Mr.. Boniface in a new
musical comedy, but not finding suit
able vehicle. he made it a tristan or
ganization. Others in the ensemble
include some of the best players witt
whom the theater-going public hav,
become familiar by their appearance,
with the prominent companies, includ
ing Claire Armstrong Alma Powell
Frances Brooke, Barry Maxwell, Fran
els M. Bal, and S. j Broughton. Afte
short tour of the country, 1.-The Gay
Mr. Goldstein" will be seen in New
York City, and negotiations are pend
ing for a London presentation. TIT
scene plot calls for a clear stage, which
in theatrical parlance, means every
thing that is used is carried by tn,
company, special scenery having beef