The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-11-03
THE STAGE
oARRIck

house, Robert Mantell and his com
pany presented The Merchant OF
Venice" an the Wednesday matinee
Offering OF his weeks engagement IN
the Garrick- The play " the one with
which students are possibly most IA.
miliar. because II Is Shakespeare {
most finished comedy, and because II
Is used rs = classio In the schools.
Students made up large part Of the
audience, and that the actors efforts
came ND TO their ideals, was shown
by the applause, various members OF
the cast being called before the cur
tain, and Mr.. Mantell and Miss Rus
sell, who played Portia, being called
out on two occasions for the third and
fourth time.
The comedy IL acted from the
prompt-book Of Edwin Booth, the text
being slightly abridged, but AL the
essential parts are retained. Mr.. Man
tells heavy build and deep. strong
voice possibly do not comport with
the students idea OF the typical
money-lender, and he does not stooI
to any Of the mannerisms that have
been associated with the Jew. Meth
er does he seek TO make q martyr OF
Shylock, as some actors have done.
Shylock Il the powerful man after TO
venge. He tricks his victim into the
bond OF the pound Of flesh as q joke,
he gloats over him when his knife
seems about to be given Its play on
his heart, and he hates him as he goes
OF the stage after being foiled by the
young pseudo-lawyer, Portia. Mr..
MantelPs acting is strong, especially
where call Is made for rapidly chang
ing emotions.
Miss Marie Booth Russell, Mr.. Man
tells wife. was well suited to the part
of Portia, showing her nl-concealed
love OF Bassanio, anxiety over the
choice OF the caskets, an impressive
manner In the court scene. In which
she gives the well-known plea for
mercy, and delightful roguery in the
closing comedy OF the rings. The
other parts were we'll assigned.
Dropping the Shakespearean mantle
for q few brief hours, Robert Mantell
and his associate players gave a fine
performance OF Bulwer's romantic
drama "Richelieu" In the Garrick the
alter, Wednesday evening.
Mr.. Mantelps impersonation of the
etatesman-cleric IL well known, and Is
as fine and well rounded and studious
as any OF his Shakespearean portraits
He makes the figure of the Cardinal
one OF commanding force, impressive
dignity and sweetness OF nature. FaI
more benign and humane Is the Man
tell-Bulwer Richelieu than the Rich
ellen OF history.
Mr.. Mantells imDersonation OF the
character. one of the foremost OF his
torical figures, brings out all that Is
tender and human, making an appeal
to the auditors sympathy as well az
compelling admiration for the great
qualities OF statesmanship with which
all readers associate the name OF
Richelieu.
In this role, Mr.. Mantell gives ar
exposition Of the art of acting that
cannot fail to raise the standard oi
taste in matters OF the drama, in the
minds of all who witness II. But. FOL
that matter. Mr.. Mantell's visit at this
time offers opportunities to the stu
dent OF the drama to observe results
TO learn and to apply that knowledge
that perhaps no other actor on the
! American stage could so we'll afford
Attendance at a Mantell performance
10 the thoughtful, receptive mind, Il
worth more than long hours Of study
of the art of acting.
Miss Marie Booth Russell gave
charming enactment OF Julie de Nor
temar, bringing out the sweet girlish
ness of the character to perfection
Miss Russell in her own attractive
personality Is well suited to rolei
which require an essential woman
illness and delicate femininity for thei
effectiveness.
The other characters of the dramI
were capably acted, notably Adrian d
Mauprat by Fritz Leiber. and Mario
de Lorme by Miss Agnes Scott.
king Lear will be the Mantell o.
fering Thursday evening. This Is on
OF Mr.. Mantell's best roles, and IL sal
never to have been exceiled by an
American who ever essayed the par
FRIDAY evening Mr.. Mantell will ole
'sOtheilo." playing the Moor instead
Iaeo az has been the custom OF man
Of the shakespearean actors.
Daisy Harcourt, a celebrated sins
ing comedieuue who has been a SUE
coss Of large proportions In this cour
try and who commands a very larg
salary even AZ salaries 90 In vauds
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