The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-24
AnuSen7ents


Few there are who attempt pro- duction of Shakespeare upon the moo- ern frivolous stage and these few receive scant appreciation or the happy go-Iucky public who have wan dered away to things that start ana stop most anywhere having httie merit other than to rest tired busi- ness man with a new kind of noise wrongly. in most instances. called music.
 The few who still have the courage to produce the works of the real masters of the drama and one may count them on the fingers of one hand at the present time, are discouraged to a more or loss extent by the small ness and general unappreeiat@eness of the audiences which greet them.
 This was not exactly the case at Chafres B. Hanford's presentation of .'The Merchant of Venice" at the Grand on Friday night, for the audience was of fair size and some appreciation was shown. But as to this apprecia- ton. someho ow the impression prevail ed that the applause was given be- cause it was expected. In but one instance. that one in the scene of the trial dId the audience lose It's self pland the admirable presentation of Shakespeare's lines. At other times the applause came. seemingly because one felt 1t a duty to applaud.
 To those who really appreciate good acting, Mr. Hapferd's presentation of the role of -:ShYlock" was genuine pleasure. Ills interpretation of the role showed the careful study of the scholar. But in addition to this the company with which Mir. Hanford has surrounded. himself Is adequate. There was not an actor that did not show careful study of the role assigned.
 The acting of Mir. Hanford brought out to the fullest the magnificent pathos of the part of the crafty money loving Jew. character in which there Is no apparent attempt on the part of the dramatist to Invite either sympathy or hatred; a character. pos sibIy more than all others calculated to bring out to the. fullest the capa. billties of the actor The portra val ot tbis role Is attempted by many. and succeeded in by but few. That Mir Hanford Friday night succeeded ir making the character of the Jew im- press itself upon his audience Is the highest praise to be offered.
 In addition to the character of Shy. lock, there is another character ir the play hard to portray. It Is that of PortIa While Mas Drofnah's pre-. sentation of Shakespeare's great feminine role, a role combining all oi the feminine graces with a mentality sufficient to outwit the lawyers oi ancient Venice. was acceptable. there Is much room for criticism Hel voice had not the range required anC expected, nor had she the deep study and thorough mastery of the role thaI characterized Mir. Hanford's acting Mir. Hanford is to be congratulated upon the supporting company witf which he has surrounded himself There was but a single weak spot 1T the leading members. that of Eugene | Ordway. In, the role of Bassanio. Pos
 sibly 1t was because MT. Ordway wal suffering from a bad cold that mad, his voice sound mufied and indistinct l possibly 1t was due to the fact that h, has a heavy voice and cannot speal clearly except when the voice Is rals ed But from whatever cause tn, voice was bad. and his acting wa i spoiled to a great extent.
 | Andrew H. Tombes as LauRoelo
 Gobbo, the clown, was most enjoyable His work in producing the righ
 amount of comedy was appreciated John NJ. Kline In the role of Gratani'
 was also very enjoya ble. The rest O
 the company was adequate.
 The next attraction at the Grant
 will be the Baldwin Melville Stocl | Company In Nevada" to be seen a
 both matinee and night Saturday.