The Washington times., 1922-12-12
BY HAROLD PHILLIPS.

r N the task of appraising this
sumptuous revival by Belasco
u Of the merchant comedy, one
can amplify, sputtify, and pre-
sumo to show wherein" by recit.
ing. ''rosary-like. q string OF
superlative verses, but the avail
of this To- productive only of clut-
tering - not altering =! the one
analysis possible: That. unless he
surpasses in future revivals. the
magnificence of his present pro.
ductton. Belasco will be hall.
marked by his biographers as be-
ginning his ascendancy In stage
art colncident with the premiere
of "The Merchant of Venice" and
that David Warfield will be In.
delibly jotted In memory's book as
locks. who gives the Jew q new
complexion--a better one. per.
haps.
Having said this, we could close
the book, but opportunity for un-
found on the reviewers doorstep.
So let's acclaim and huzzah while
the ink holds out. This smart
sS-Ao Va khC llC1Hy
have its paragraph II competing
tonnage In the grille revue exacts
its column.
1T Ia the duty Of a producing
manager TO provide for every play
ne elects to set upon the stage,
both a company of players capable
OF its proper Interpretation and a
scenic investiture adequate to it's
requirements and, contributory, in
the fullest possible degree. to it's
enactment and apprehension.
Thus, Mr.. Belasco. in a many
PACED preface. privately distrib.
uted, concerning his inspiration
and aims for this gorgeous presen-
tation. In our comprehension he
has not lacked In this conception;
II anything, he has elaborated,
scenically. TO that degree which
gives his art the necromantic
touch.
Pictorially, the production is so
colorful. so beauteous in easement
and projection that, pity such ad.
mission. the background at times
competes with the dialogue. The
casket chamber, the courtroom
ana the poetic master.touch reveal
Ing Portals garden at midnight,
meath a starry sky that seems
actual. are milestones in a stage
craft nearing its fullest dimension.
A mechanical treat occurs In
the second act, where, in the first
scene, Shylock II found entering
his house from the street and,
without interval, by a quick re-
versal Of walls, the second scene
shows him entering the interior.
Through the open door. one sees
. newer perspective from the in
side Of the house and one that
dovetails exactly with a mental
Encouragement of the exterior.
One can label the repeated ap-
plause accorded Mr.. Warfield as
genuine ovation. At the close of
act two. with Shylock's apprehen.
sions Of being plundered, reviled
and ground in Christian -trodden
dust. fulfilled, the crashing ap-
plause recorded that Warfield had
engraved deeply enough to exact a
unanimous sympathy for his char.
acter. Again after the fourth act.
the Jews debasement complete
and final, there was q surmount-
ing Of hats for the character, to
the advantage Of tribute for the
player.
Warfield's delineation il art to
conjure with. Tinctured ever so
slightly with an hnmistakable
appeal for a Justice presumed to
be denied hfm-a successful enlist
ment Of auditorial sympathy-the
part ID, nevertheless, etched un-
flinchingly and horribly real In
those exactions which paint the
Jew In bitter colors.
The Portia Of Mary Servoss Is
all that could be desired. There
10 q fleeting and recurring charm
about her grace ana enunciation
which 10 admirable. Impressive
contributions were made by those
essaying the characters of the
Prince Of Morocco. Jessica, Ne
rissa, Bassanio, Gratiano and Lo-
renxo, The. Launcelot Gobbo OF