Evening star., 1928-03-13
ADJUSTMENTS
SHUBERT-BELASCO--"Merchant Of
NnrsfNns

A Merchant of Venice" that moves
swiftly and smoothly through rich and
artistic settings, with Shylock who
brings moist eyes and a Port:a whose
grace and charm ensnarc more hearts
than BaSsanio'S, has been brought TO
the Sfubert- -Belasco Theater this week,
winthrop Ames George Arliss and
Peggy Wood have Joined their talents in
delightful production that attests once
more the Immortality Of the bard of
Avon.
Down through the ages scores of
actors. some of them famous. some of
them forgot before they were known
have given their conceptions of Shylock
Many OF them have differed. but the
character that lives today has become
| synonymous with hate and greed and
Servile mcanness. Some have chosen to
accentuatc III Slylock the cunning and
miSerly money lender whose heart is
divided between his daughter and his
ducatS, whose spirit breaks when his
consuming desire for vengeance is en-
tineuished by Portals bucket of cold
water. Others have sought ~ temper
the harshneSs of the monstrous Jew Of
medieval imagination by emphasizing
the tragedy Of his wrongs MFR. Arliss'
Interpretation of the character is prob
ablv orthodox.
He makes of Shylock the man more
Sinned against than SHINING. But he
gives TO Shylock dignity that makes
his thirst for revenge almost noble. He
loses his daughter and his ducats. but
ne carries away with him a spirit that
remains unbroken. When he falls in
court at the feet of Antonio he is
crushed by the weight of his sorrow, his
spirit is bent under the burden, hut it
does not snap. He lost in his dav at
court. but the day following would still
find him seeking his pound of flesh.
Peggy Wood has been endowed nv
nature with adequate requisites for the
part OF Portia, and she loses none of
them IN male attire In court. If her
voice tremblcs and she fails to thunder.
1t is all the more to her credit. Portia
won her case. but 1t has ALWAYS re-
manned doubtful whether the cold logic
OF the law or the warm charm of Portia
should be credited with the victory. AS
lawyer she won because Shvlock,s
case was so wretchedlv prepared. AS
Bassanio's bride she could not have lost
Portia always has in her favor the fart
that she Is Portia.
After the recurrent. though short
lived attempts to popularize Shake
speare by various expedients. such as
dressing the actors in modern clothing
"AA~ Will Tie SCal1LV
stage equipment Of the sixteenth and
seventeenth century, it is refreshing to
see the effects of Mr.. Ames' attempt to
"modernize" will not say revive"
Shakespeare, The attempt is not
expressed through revising lines or sub
stituting Six-button vest for doublet,
a fountain pen for dagger The at
tempt Is to give TO the production of
Shakesperean play all the modern ac-
compartments in the way of exquisite
scenery and mechanical contrivances
that play such important parts In the
art OF the theater today. 1t is not
the first time that this has been done.
But Mr.. Ames has done it exceedingly
well.
The company in support of MIR. Ar
liss and Peggy Wood is exceptionally
good, David Leonard as the fiery and
ardent Prince of Morocco. Leonard
Wiley as Antonio Murray Kinnell as
Bassanio and Romney Brent as Launce-
lot are excellent and Hope Cary is an
altogether beautiful Jessica.
How Mr. Arliss and his company give
life and meaning to the tiresome, sleepy
old Shakespeare Of our high school
days. And what crime it Is. after
ALL 10 be forced to read Shakespeare
in school.
NATIONAL THEATER-"Tommy.
After years Of perturbation of Amer
ican youth as dissipated. Jazz minded.