El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-09-29
GREET PLAYERS
OPEN SEASON
Arrive Here to Present the
Merchant of Venice and
Palace of Truth

The Ben Greet Players arrived IN
FL Paso Saturday morning for their
I three performances here.
The Merchant Of Venice" this at
ternoon at the Texas Grand. and The
evening performance Of the same
play viii conclude the first week OF
their winter season. The company
appeared for ten weeks OF the past
summer in the New England states,
and, after a rest Of three weeks in
New York came directly 10 Colorado
for the opening Of the winter trans
continental tour. Two plays are be-
ing presented this season, the above
mentioned Shaksperian production
being accompanied by The Palace OF
Truth. a Fairy Comedy" written by
Gilbert Of light opera fame. During
this season. as in those past. it viii
be the endeavor OF the company TO
enact the plays in as nearly the same
way they were first produced, as it.
can be done on a modern stage.
Simple dark blue hanglngs are USED
for the purpose Of contrasting with
the gorgeous costumes, and the front
stage accessory used. The Palace OF
Truth" given at the Monday evening
Performance. being a. fantasy viii
be produced in the same way
Miss Grace Halsey Mills, who heads
the cast Of New York performers, has
been identified with the Greet COM
pany for some years In addition 10
her work here she was a member Of
the original New York company OF
''The Garden of Allah when IL was
running al the Century theater. Her
performance Of "Portia" is said to be
quite unusual OF the other Is players, F.
many have appeared In metropolitan L
casts. Lynn Startling, who plays
''BassaniO." has been with Grace I
George George Hare. the comedian, .
is we'll known in his line. Erskine .
Sanford as ShylOck, is a polished .
actor. 'Shylock" is his best role al I
though in attaining his present emin-
ence. he has played nearly all Of the
prominent Shaksperian roles In the
plays that are frequently performed
His performance Of "ShylOCk" is un-
usual I'm that he plays for the sym
pathy OF the audience. This is quite q
contrast TO most Of the present day
ShylOcks," who have overlooked the
fact that the famous chacacter has
many noble traits and is driven TO his
cruelty Mr.. Sanford has received a
great deal of meudatlou from
Jewish members Of various audiences,
who were pleased with his handling
1f the character which can be made
very offensive 10 members OF the race
The other members Of the company
ire all well cast If you attend the
Merchant" you will probably laugh
With Gratiano and Nerissa, sympa-
.hiZe with Lorenzo and Jessica." en-
oy the discontinue Of The Prince
IF Arragon"; be pleased with the
lther famous "casket scene" and re-
seive a thrill or so during the famous
trial scene" justly noted for the Ia
nous Mercy Speech"
More than this you probably will
augh with delight at the comedy
with which the play closes.
THE Merchant OF Venice" for 300
Years has been the favorite Of all
hose the BARD OF Avon" wrote and
staged 1t probably viii endure for
mother 800 years. md then another,
md another. No play can endure for
.hree weeks unless it is popular,
lIeases the people who go 10 see it.
Rotary has assumed the response
lility Of giving you the opportunity
% see and enjoy the play that has
PROBABLY been enjoyed by more people
nan any other ever written