New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-21
THE DRAMA.
MORE ITALIAN SHAKESPEARE.
Signor Novelli as shyloek.

Signor Novelli as shylock.
After Papa LebOnnard and Papa Lear comes
Papa shylock The latter form OF Papa. as I'm
peTsenated by Sisnor Novellt is the crafty, mean.
malicious form. This ,ShylOck is exclusively 1tal-
ian: not Hebraic; neither aUstere and tremendous
as the representative of the tneXOrable Mosaic Law
ana thu Prosecuted Race. nor IN himself terrible.
as the cruel. remorseless minister Of retrihutiOn
and revenge. He fawns and crinses. He Is smooth
and specious. He snares the Christians (who seem
easily snared) in vein OF coarse pleasantly and he
lets an evil purpose glimmer, now and then through
an obsequious affectatiou OF humOr But he is
an exceedingly common person; not Formidable
not he ought to be. monster OF inveterats
hatred and implacablo. murderous purpose, but
trtckster sly contriver OF mischief; an everyday
creature OF low cunning ana cherished spite. Sig
NOvelH presents that Italian IDEAL Of the Jew
in version OF Tho Merchant OF Venice that
is said to have been made by himself There is new
business in it-for Shylock just appears upon 4
balcony os his abode, responsive TO Bassanio. who
has called him in the street below; and while con-
ferring to the desired loan he is made to tumble
a string OF gems which IS a part OF his apparel;
the apparel OF usurer. who. in ShakespeaTes play
is scrupuous % say that he will TO borrow
money in order to lend it, The design Of the Italian
actor. IN this as it IN Lear IS 10 come close 20
real life; 20 be natural; that IS to photograph
surface. irrespective Of the demands of magma
ton Shylock. according TO Shakespeare, is con-
centrated malignity: the fires Of he'll raging In
his BOSOM but. except at one or two moments OF
defeat he maintains a smooth exterior and IS even
majestic in his terrible cOulposure OF hellsh pur-
pose. All such views Of Shylock disappear In the
Noveni version and the Novelh performance.
King Lear was altered IN such way as
to be placed almost beyond recognition and
the astonished Enslish-rsading auditor beheld
that monarch playing horze with bundle
Of straw. The Merchant is not only altered
but absolutely Knocked IN finders. The fable
remains the conduct OF il is materially changed
that the play becomes episodical. loses continuity
and IS a hybrid. thing of capricious mosaic shy
lock Is converted into eccentric low comedy part
varegated with occasional Mysteries. In the ex-
preston OF the absurd ideal that the Italian actor
has formed OF the Jew-an ideal that is radically
trivial and false-signor NoveIH very fully exhibits
the characteristics OF his style. 10 IL restless
style. full of gesture and grimace; inclusive Of
much spreading and pointing OF the fingers much
shaking of the legs much lettering. much pulling
OF mugs and wagging OF boards, much facial
distortion much confidential whispering. and
infinite deal OF little detail tiresoms it IS
needless II II be Jewish TO behave like tipsy
and vulgar Pantaloon. then this ShyIock IS Jewish;
not otherwise. When this Shylock hears Of An
tonio's losses his expedent Is to dance tnhrmly,
with a kind Of seniIe JOY. To English reading
audience. indeed. all his business Is amazing
When Shylock gives his keys to 1essica he bitches
them a string that she has let down
from the balcony. and by that same string Jesslca
that she steals in her elopement Eccentric pro-
ceedings OF this order are numerous but It would
be a WEAKNESS TO record them. Lancelot GOboo ap-
peared 10 be a hump backed person. and he dis
appeared suddenly. with a bundle on his bunch.
Signor NovelN seems 10 understand Shylock as
being n sensitive father, for he weeps cOpious
tears over the fight OF Jessica-the dear little
thing who testides that their home is hell Alto
gether It seems Just TO express regret that SgnOr
Novelu has been pleased 10 stray into Shakespeare
He should stick to Papa Lebonnard-not perhaps
the most pleasing kind OF Papa, since his excessive
charity and sweetness made him a tolerant cuck-
old. vet a Papa who unites in one eccentric Per
sonality many characteristics that photographs
painter OF common life effectively delineate.
Sguor Novelu made his best effect. as Shylock.
when the injured father came 10 the hons
that his detestabe daughter had robbed and
deserted Here his expression OF CONSERVATION and
agony was Copiousiy emotional His treatment or
the street scene. in which ShylOckS passlon.-ac-
cording 10 Shakespeare-buTsts all bounds. was col
loalial and therefore II ridiculously tame
II an Notwithstanding actor were TO venture 10
offer such \ performance this, and call II shy
lock he would he covered with ridlcule. IL was
however. appIauded. by a considerable audience