The Washington times., 1931-12-16

retirement.
To one humle worshiper of the
Adams art, an affection nourished
in the gallery of the Hollis Street
Theater, the temperance Of the
heroine of yesterday was not COM
pletely satisfying. For it mattered
not how thoroughly this Portla
became immersed in the facets
of the Bard's immortal advocate
it was beyond the art OF the
actress to create the illusion OF
youth. Maude Adams at So has
outgrown this buoyant and Splr-
tied Shakespearian character who
typified the age Of romance.
Is GlamorOuS Figure
The actress Of today retains an
abundance of the charm which
won her admiring legions, has the
same capacity for graceful
gesture which made her roles
memorable and the wholesome
looking sweetness which spells ap-
peal. I should have preferred 10
have seen these, talents applied to
the Maggie Wylie of What Every
Woman Knows where the ear
marks of advancing years would
not have been accentuated by lines
only a friendly tolerance mace
completely plausible.
The Adams Portia aggrandizes
the comedy Of the character and
presents her finest moments IN
the capriciously coy caSket scenes
and the impish teasing OF BaS-
sahio after he has parted with
the marriage ring. In the famed
trial scene there was .breathleSs
interest as the actress recited
the Quality Of Mercy is not
Strained" speech with dignity
and forcefulness that brought out
the real beauty Of her soothing
voice and diction.
Some Script Changes
The script has been slightly
revised. reverently enough, the
clipping eliminating some lengthy
whining and groveling scenes OF
Shylock, stressing lighter points
in the major role. But there is
no character effacement and the
acting version one sees is smooth
flowing and well connected.
Skinner Is Excellent
Otis SINNERS Shylock is a
real delight. His provides a con-
scientious reading Of lines with
fine expression, a good makeup,
has all the essential vigor and
earnestness which the role re-
quireS and is blessed with the
ease and assurance with which
Otis Skinner adorns a part. It
is not as Searingly a bitter Shy
lock as David Warfield projected,
nor is it as thoroughly stepped
in despair and misery as some
others, but was equally as con-
vincing in its kindlier aspects,
Some fine voices and good act
ing were found in the supporting
cast. The BasSanio of Jerome
Lawler was always worthy and
Charles Francis gave a finished
reading to lines Of Antonio.
Audrey Ridgewell made an allur-
ing Nerissa and Cynthia Blake a
competent Jessica. The exagger-
ated tom follery of Joseph Curtin
as Launcelot Gobbo evolved into a
real comedy highlight.
Lavish Production
This Merchant Of Venice" pro-
duction is lavish and colorful and
beautifully costumed. It is bathed
in a brilliant flood of light from
the balcony-an Adams inven-
tion-and this cascade while
sometimes an asset serves also to
concentrate attention minutely
on purely visual qualities less OBJ
scurc illumination might protect.
Although she was flatteringly
applauded after her big scenes,
Miss Adams took, the curtains
with her principals and once
with Mr.. Skinner. This firSt-night
gathering was eager for soli-
tary curtain, and perhaps
speech, but Maude Adams clingS
to her gracious modesty and smil-
Ing appreciation.
Maude Adams is back again.
To those who welcomed her last
night that seemed to be quite
enough