The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-01-09
aTHE MERCHANT OF VENICE"
Sothern and MarlOwe's Interpreta-
ton Delights Large Audience.
Shakespearean Week AT the BeIasco
Closes with Successful Production.
Many Curtain Calls Greet stars.

! To those that had seen Mr.. sothern
/ in the three other parls-Romeo. Petru-
chic. and Hamlet-that he played during
the earlier part of the week. his charac-
terization OF Shylock in the .'Merehant of
Venice" came as a distinct surprise the
more so TO those that did not remember
this actors versatility and equal ability
to play almost any part In the repertoire
| Of the Shakespearean dramas TO those
that did not remember it the delineation
or the part-the actual living Of tit may
be said, was only another and stronger
evidence OF that same versatility.
The other plays that the sothern and
Marlowe company have presented during
the week have been Of an entirely diff
ferent character-and especially different
we're the roles that Mr.. Sothern por-
trayed in them. As Romeo he was the
lover only; in The Tanning OF the Shrew''
his Petruchio was the embodiment OF
gayety. his Hamlet was equal 10. II it did
not surpass. his other Characterization;
but II remained for the delineation OF
Shyiock to bring out the fine points of
the deep and splendid actor The Sothern
version OF the play eliminates some OF
the speeches that are usually allotted TO
shylock. and. indeed. as the company
rendered 1t at the Belasco yesterday. the
part OF Bassanio rather overshadOwed
that OF the Jew-though Il was the part
only.
Mr. Sothern's delineation Of the part
and his reading OF the lines were well
nigh perfect. His makeup and facial ex-
preston showed the result OF long study
and patient work. his carriage and his
costume seemed TO be an integral part Of
the character; but ii was in the rendition
of the lines that he showed his real genius
In the sarcastic ecene In the second part
OF the first act; In the speech commence
ing. Il am a Jew in the second. and
in the court scene in the fourth, he dis
played his entire mastery not only Of the
lines. but Of ali the meaning that the
master poet placed in them. His delight
az the Judge was going to deliver his
victim over to him. and then his hatred
and final submission were admirably
done
Miss Marlowe, in the part OF Portia.
had role that was, perhaps, easier than
that Of her co-star. In all the acts ex-
cept that in the court she was light and
entirely pleasing, and in the trial scene
she realized the possibilities Of the role
10 the utmost But there were few de-
mands upon her real talent as an actress |
as compared TO Mr. SotheTn.
AS usual. the supporting members Of
the company. with possibly two excep-
was the Bassanio. and Sidney Mather
the Antonio. The former was best in
the scene with Miss Marlowe. renowned
IS the casket scene. His facial express
sion as he lowered about the boxes. IN
able to decide which to open, was
splendid.
Rowland Blackstone had the small part
OF Launceiot Gobbo. Shylocks servant.
but the hearty laughs that he received
testified to the way in which he played
it. Miss Moran Lamison was Nerissa, /
and Miss Valentine the Jessica. The
only criticism that could be found with
the company was in the acting Of the
latter and Of Frederick Bendsten, who
played the role OF Lorenzo. her lover.
These two failed 10 come ID 10 the high
standard set by the remainder Of the /
company.
One OF the largest audiences Of the
season, filing the house 10 its utmost /
capacity, witnessed the performance. In |
deed. so large was il that the space |
usually reserved for the orchestra was |
filled with extra seats. aPd the orches- /
ira. as is usual with this play, was done |
away with The house was enthusiastic /
In its admiration and generous with its /
applause. and called Mr. Sothern and /
Miss Marlowe many times before the /
curtain 20 receive the plaudits due them
for their excellent production and splen-
did chsracterizations.