New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-11-22
THE CAST.

Antonio Percy Rhodes
Bassanio. ~ 1ookson
Lorenzo mares Draham
Gratiano ...................'..''Ae Scott-'htty
satanic water hngham
saiafino .................... .ueofge Hayes
Tubal Montague Rutherford
Launoeot Gobbo ..................A Athol Forde
old Gopoo. T. fearce
Balthazar . Robert Atkins
Gaoler ....... Eric Adeney
Clerk in the Court. Richard Andean
Portia. Miss Gertrude Elliott
Nerissa .......................Mi Mis- Maud Buchanan
Jessica. Miss Joan Tuckett
Magnifcoes Of Venice Officers. Servants. Wait
Ing Maids, etc.
Forbes Robertson appeared as Shylock
for the first time in this country at the
Shubert Theatre last evening. with Miss
Gertrude Elliott a gentle Portia. The
opportunity to see 80 rare an artist In
part so worthy Of all he could bring to 1t
drew to the theatre an audience very
different from that Of the usual first
night. with many unfamiliar but pleasant
faces, young folks and children here and
there-an audience less noisy II rather
more appreciative, and one that had
thoroughly good time
The performance as whole was
marked by intelligence, imagination-at
least on the part Of the principal himself
and good taste. rather than by those
vivid II more Fictitious devices with
which the crowds fancy is sometimes
caught and pleased The sets for one
or two OF the minor scenes were almost
Ellzabethsn in their simplicity, and while
Portals palace and the courtroom were
sufficiently rich and satisfying, there was
Nf hot Ia
rate atmosphere with which Mr. Sothern
is accustomed to invest a part, and some
times to submerge IT
Nor did Shylock himself exhibit any OF
those physical deXterities and more or
less irrelevant arts which sometimes
strike and impress the eye. The scales
rafting I'm the Jews trembling hand unul
the spectators attention was taken per
force from the main swing OF the scene 10
see how the trick was done-as used 10
happen in Mansneld's always vivid play
ing Of the part-of such physical Writ
uosity there was none. Mr.. Forbes-Rob-
ertson is too fine and delicate an ARTIST
for that. although one might prefer TO
take Mansheld's Shylock, with all his
tricks. TO keep that compelling force. that
unacceptable all-thereness, which Mr.
Mansfield gave TO every part.
COMPARED to the Italian. Novellrs. lively
and intensely human Jew-a canny old
merchant who went trundling round and
round the stage I'm the drollest sort OF
dervish's dance when he heard that An
tonio's ships were lost-Mr. Forbes Rob
ertson's shylock was calm and self-con-
ar Ia cai1 when
Tubal gave him the news and dropped TO
his knees The stroke went deeper. per-
haps. but there was less vivacity. Shy
lock became more noble. but also. per-
haps. he became less, In the easily
grasped and understood sense. an every
day man
The positive elements OF Mr.. Forbes
Robertson's representation need scarcely
be dwelt on-dignity. consistency. intelll-
gence. the satisfaction Of hearing noble
lines nobly spolson-all these. in whatever
he does. go without saying. on Its mega
tive side. although II seems ungracious
10 consider what else might have been
when there was already so much, was this
lack. II II could be called such, OF the
vivid cutting stroke. Satisfying at each
instant. as II passed by no striking, un-
escapable picture. perhaps, shone In the
mind after the curtain fell. Part or this,
as has already been suggested. was due
10 Mr.. Forbes Robertson's very fastidious-
ness the completeness with which he i'm
agin 4tlvely Identifies himself with part.
But part also is due to his own limitations
OF personality His Shylock might be
more deeply understood and imagined and
vet come across the footlights a lighter
personality. for all Its acrid flavor, than
that Of less accomplished men.
The Shakespearean lines seemed to
hang a little heavily on Miss Elliotts
tongue when first she appeared In very
unbecomlng red wig in the casket scene.
She improved when the Moor came In.
warmed to her work charmingiy with
Bassanio. and was at her quaint and
spirited best as she and Nerissa started
off to surprise their husbands and mas
ouerade as men. In the comic scene her
exquisite diction and ringing little voice
did all they could, and did 1t eloquently,
though her Portia was lady for a that,
and a trine too treble and gently femi-
nine.
Mr.. s. A. Cookson. looking the thor
ougbly well bred and rather concerned
English professional man. say, some
what preoccupied architect. played Bas-
sanio with perfect good taste. though
tride sadly He was scarcely the dash
ing Venetian young man about town, out
IN capture the lady richly left" In Bel
mont Mr.. Alex. Scott-Gatty, festooned
with precious stones so as to suggest at
first sight OF him that Diamond Jim
Rrady ia the Gratiano Of our day car
rIed off that none too grateful part with
really refreshing vivacity. IL Is pleas
ure IN see an actor treat his shakespeare
lightly and vet make such a role absurd
and silly. Mr.. Scott-Gatty actually
seemed to be having fine time as
Gratiano. A similar pleasure was derived
from MT A. Athol Forbes Launcelot
Gobbo. That usual nightmare, the
shakesnearian clown, was made as harm
less as possible. indeed almost droll. so
kind was Mr. Forde In not squeaking and
gibberinr and overplaying him. And then
Nr Ian Robertson. as the Duke Of Venice.
s,ole his few lines in the trial scene
with q dignity and beauty that might
well have come from the more famous
member OF his family
Theatre Manager Gives Bail.
= Raw Comstock, manager of the Prin-