Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-05-22
ANU SEMENTS.

N. c. GOODWIN AS SHYLOCk-The
production of THE Merchant of Venice by
n. c. Goodwin and Maxine Elliott last night
was in many respects a revelation of the
unexpected. Doubts were directed mainly
toward Mr. Goodwin, for the character of
Shylock Is formidable undertaking for
an actor who has sounded the gamut of
laughter from buriesque to refined comedy
and whom the people have learned to es-
TEEN for his frank human simplicity in
stead of bending in unreasoning awe before
tragic poses. On the other hand the COM
pany engaged to support Mr. Goodwin pre-
scented array of names Of so much con-
sequence that good performances of the
minor roles seemed assured. The support
ing cast proved disappointment. MacIyn
Arbuckle was a spiritless Antonio. Aubrey
Boucfcault vas a mincng. self-conscious
Bassanio and a rank dramatic improbable
ty. 1t is impossible to suppose that a lady
of Portals perception would prefer this
bundle of downy adolescence to Ma"ochus
or the Prince Of Aragon. This latter char
acter was played by Frederick Perry, and
was brief but really brilliant bit If act
ing The part of Gratiano is one of the most
graceful and agreeable in Shakespeare
plays Vincent Serrano made it little more
than display of buugling bufoonery j.
f. DodsOn played Launcelot Gobbo with
studied humor; with the demeauor of an
old legitimate actor who regrets that cir
cumstances compel him to be funny All
these gentlemen are good actors when
suitably cast, and it is not difficult to i'm
agine a Encouragement of the various roles
which would display them all to better adj
vantage. Effie EllSler was a gentle Jcssica
albeit her tip-titled nose was somewhat
out of the ancestral pictures Annie Irish
was very graceful and wnsome Nerissa.
On the whole it is a decided relief to turn
from the contemplation of the company as
general proposition to the individual per-
formance of Mr.. Goodwin. Mr.. Goodwn's
natural tendency is to bring whatever char
acter he essays into close sympathetic
touch with the auditor The laughter
which he wins when he plays comedy is
usually that which proceeds from the sud
den awakening of the intelligence to a
hitherto unsuspected idea. 1t is the pleas
ure which arises from quickened compre-
hension and a deeper insight into human
nature, and not the empty guffaw which
greets mere clOwniug, This same method
when intelligently and consistently applied
to the higher and more poetic characters
is always delight. To compel realiza-
ton that the great roles of the poetic
drama are but types of common flesh and
blood represents, when 1t is done without
the sacrifice of dignity, the highest achieve
ment of which dramatic art Is capable
And through large portion of his Der-
Torrance Mr. Goodwin attained this ideal
Seldom have lines been read with more
lucid delicacy, with more accurate discern
ment OF the exact value of an infection
The development of Shylock's reyeneeful
purpose was logical and sane There comes
time, however, in Shyocks career when
he ceases to be lucid. logical or sane.
His fortunes transform him into a mon
ster. His desperation and his fearful I'M
initiation make the character one whose
tragic fierceness rivals almost that of Lear
himself. In this phase of the character
MT. Goodwin seemed inclined to over eau
ton. His passion was forceful, but al
ways guarded He would probably be more
effective II, for the moment, Mr. Goodwin
could forget the self-distrust which ordi-
nariy forms the artists most valuable
safeguard. The ideal POrtia would be sweet
grlish. brainy and analytical. Miss Elliott
realized the sweetness and girlishness SO
charmingly that perhaps even the pedant
would find IT in his heart to forgive the
utter sacrifice of the characters more ro-
bust intellectual attributes.
The stage settings were creations of ex-
ordinary beauty, and the costumes were of
a richness which made the stage a constant
display Of pictorial splendor. The theater
was crowded, and Mr.. Goodwin met with
an ovation.
"ALABAMA,"-The Lafayette Square
Stock Company will present next week a
revival of the well-known and always sue
cessful play by Augustus Thomas, ala.
bama' 1t is essentially a play of atmos-
phere. though it's story is full Of action
and intense interest. 1t was the first of
the geographical plays written by Mr.
Thomas-that is plays named after the
states in which their incidents take place
In casting the piece the stage director
William Seymour, has utilized not only the
full strength of the Lafayette company
but has also engaged several extra per
formers. who will come on for this pro-
duction only. The play will introduce an
other excellent role for Edwin Arden, the
new leading man. Minnie Radcliffe Will
also be congenially cast The new scenic
artist at the Lafayette, Mark Lawson, is
making especial efforts to give Alabama"
the complete and picturesque settings SO
necessary to properly reproduce the de-
iightful atmosphere of the play.
CECILIA (CISSIE) LOFTUS.-One of the
shining lights of vaudeville will be added
| TO the ranks of the legitimate next season
In the person of Cecilia (Cissiel LOTUS.
who then becomes the leading lady of E.
H. Sothern In view of this fact it will be
| interesting to chronicle the final tour This