Life — June 6, 1901 — page 16: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

FE have the warrant both nd the PP text that Shyle man. him an f stage hakesperian was ged When Mr. Goodwin makes old looks vigor of ec, motion and ges ture, we ngruity to an extent which largely mars an otherwise careful, intelligent and convincing ji It is to be s the credit of public that Me. Goodwin's 1 as a comedian was very slightly to him in his ambitious undertaki ducing “The Merchant of V says that in creating Shylock Shakespeare has made him so thoroughly the Jew “that we almost fi we can hear a slight whis- per of the Jewish accent even in the written words, such as we still find in the hi classes, notwithstanding their social retine- ment.” When Mr. certain passages there was a very faint sug: gestion of the Jew of vaudeville and the comic prints, and at these times a few in judicious persons, who were evidently look- ug for the Nat other days, laughed audibly. Inthe main, however, his work was given a serious and respectful hearing. It deserved it because, with the exception noted, Mr. Goodwin's performance was free fi cterize the part of the Jew in the hands of actors who have made it the study of years. While not rising to anything like the emotional hei; of Sir Henry Irving's Shylock, Mr. ¢ win's was certainly free fr ness that inom: % tradition man i but with a young man’s vious record her Goodwin enunciated Goodwin of 1 faults that char: nm the grotesque- y places mars the English actor's impersonation, ‘To several passages Mr. Goodwin did not give their full rhe ical ‘These are faults that stu tld Mr. 1 his repertoire, tue, and experience will obviate sh oodwin As it stands the impersonation is one that he need not ashamed of aud he has accomplished ccessfully the dificult task of g aken seriously Of Miss Maxine Elliott's Portia, itis to be said that she was wanting in depth and ting earnestness. In the tender and coquettish lacked force when it came to those of more serious import. This was notably true in the trial and the “quality of merey” which is the test of Portias for dignified passages she was satisfactory but The Caddie : eloquence, was delivered almost in a mono- tone, carrying as little of pers audience as to the Jew. One thing may safely be afirmed, however,—there certainly was never a more beautiful Portia, As Bassanio Mr, Boucicault was in come- liness and grace of carriage a fair match for sion to th Copyright, 1901, by Barr Netntosh. MANINE ELLIOTT as “ portia.” his Portia, His lines were delivered mu- siecally but not over-intelligently. Mr. Ar- buckle as Antonio was sutliciently dignified butill atease. Annie Lrish and Eftie Ellster as Nerissa and Jessica were sufficient in good looksand fairly competent in portrayal. The remaining cast. while not up to the NOW, WHEN YER SWIPE IT, LET VERSELP TURN AROUND WID Dr swiPE, highest requirements of Shakespearian im- personation, gave on the wholea very smooth and finished performance. Not to have failed implies high praise to Mr. Goodwin in this creditable undertaking. To succeed so well in. producing The Merchant of Venice” makes the judicious theatre-goer his debtor. ° ° AIRLY and in jus- tice to the Theatrical Syndicate it must be said that they have never ex- posed the publie to phy sical violence through their box- office methods. The Sire Brothers, managers of the New York Theatre, have permitted the ticket speculators who sell tickets at their doors to Decome not only impudent nuisances, but by tolerating them, if not actually being in league with them, have exposed the would- be patrons of the theatre to assault by these roughs. ‘The Sires put up as a defence the fact that the speculators are licensed by the city and that they can not stop them, No license of the city entitles its holder to become a public nuisance or a disorderly character, and if the Sires are not in league with them an appeal made in earnest to the authorities would stop the disgrace at once. What other managers have done, notably Mr. Daly, Mr. Dan Frohman and Mr. ‘Theodore Moss, the Sire Brothers could do ifthey chose. Ifthey can not protect their patrons the public should stay away from their theatre. Metcalfe. comicbooks.com