New-York tribune., 1901-10-26
THE DRAMA.
HENRY IRVING AND ELLEN TERRY.
.TFE MERCHANT OF VENICE"

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE"
The fascinating comedy of THE Merchant Of
Venice presented last night at the Knicker-
booker Theatre. and Henry Irving and Ellen Terry
repeated their well known and admirable imper-
sonations of Shylock and Portia- The house was
crowded and these performances were observed
with eager interest and accepted with deep sym
pathy and cordial applause. The comedy will be
given twice next week. and the opportunity of see
ing it, as thus represented ought 10 be widely i'm
proved-for such privilege is rare.
Miss Terry's assumption of Portia transeends all
others that have been seen in our time. in fidelity
to the Shakespearian conception-that is to say, in
beauty of variety OF action melody or voice,
fervor Of speech, tenderness of heart dignity OF
mind, and that indehnable enchantment which
spring from the combination OF acute feel
ing with piquant. amable vivacity. The speech OF
surrender Bassano after his fortunate choice OF
the Ieaden casket when spoken by this actress,
erystalIizes into itself the whole spirit and mean
ing of the character-for POrta is a woman who.
in the golden glory of her resplendent and beauu-
full YOUTH loves and is beloved. and therefore she
stands revealed the image Of benehcent happi-
ness In this way she has been shown by Miss
Terry. gIaddening every eye and winning every
heart. 1t would not avail TO linger this theme,
for often before it has been fully discussed.
and. even for the enthusiast. iteration becomes
tedious II Ellen Terry's acting POrtia be not
dramatic art. then there is no such thing.-
And there IS nothing left remarkable
Beneath the visiting moon
opinions-seeing that they differ about every
thng-wil differ 70 Henry Irving's embodi-
ment OF shyioek II has. however, stood the test
OF Time and Of the searching critical ex-
animation. Those observers VINO think that dscla-
nation is acting not likely TO be satisfied with
IT, but those who view actor an impersona-
tor-and that. essentially. is this actors distinctive
style-are that his performance Of Shylock
reproduees the Jew Of Shakespeare. precisely as he
is drawn. Henry Irving indeed. does not put forth
the prodigious physical power that would 70
be allowable In the explosive. tumutuous. frenzied
with Tubal: the Macklin and Kean tradi-
ton this passage. is that OF resonant voeifer
alton. impetuous and ineessant movement. and
lamentable delirium: but Henry Irving produces
all essential effect. by concentrated energy. by
scorching eloquence OF convulsive passion and by
a terrible and thrilling exhibition OF cOntending
rage and anguish in the heart and frame of a
frail old man whose mind and person are torn and
ravaged by the Internal impulses OF avarice
hatred. and revenge. There is. in this embodiment
the absolute consistency Of nature-the harmony or
a true ideal clearly apprShended distinctly formed
and exactly expressed. Ut is not Douglas Jefroids
familiar simile of the Chapter of Genesis" 1t
does not typify the Hebraic Bible ideal of Divine
Justice though IL symbolizes Mosaic Law and a
certain bleak. grim. inveterate Hebrew austerity
1t is incarnation OF human wickedness-an evil
nature in which elements of afflicted and suffering
humanity are comminged with active propensities
OF hell: and 1t is an embodiment so assumed fash
ioned. and displayed as TO awaken the mingled
horror, respect. and shuddering sympathy that at
tend broken greatness of character and bafied
and ruined power, whether malignant virtuous
No other representative OF Shylock has shown.
even tried to show the awful loneliness OF soul
that is surrendered to evil-the corrosive. wither-
ing blasting effect.-alike upon the spiritual
state and the physical system,-of that iniquity
which sometimes impels the human heart to
cherish wicked passions.
And this. perhaps. is the chief benefit 10 be de-
rived from a great performance OF Shylock. The
OF it, of course. pleases. The revelation of
actors intellect is impressive. But beyond all this.
there must be something to warrant and justify
exhibition of possible human depravty so full
Of horror and pain malignant. repusive and
base. Envy malice. hatred-every bad passion
acts upon the bosom that harbors II. till. II not
stayed in its downward the character is
vftated and the soul is ruined. Henry Irvings
impersonation OF Shylock by the careful emphasis
laid all the human elements (the parting from
Jessica the alluson TO Leahs ring. the hysterical
meeting with Tubal the outburst of seIf-rity be-
meath avalanche OF woe). has sometimes seemed
to indicate originally virtuous at least kindly
nature. distracted from itself and driven frenzy
by insult, persecution and cruel Injustice How
ever this may be. the actor has invested the part
with a grim grandeur of austere dignity, and With
colossal individuality of mind and feeling and
without in the least extenuating its hideous enor-
nifty, he has gained for it certain ruefuI sympa-
thy such of his predecessors ever yet in
spred. 1t conspicuously exemplides his wonderful
resources OF impeI sonation-a felicity. breadth
OF range. perfection detail. and thoroughness of
sustained executive art, in which he has equal
and. probably, has had no superior. W. w.