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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 21, 1904)
18 THE SUNDAY 0EEG0NIA2T, PORTLAvD, FEBRUARY 21, 19fl IRVING WITHOUT ELLEN TERRY Sir Henry as Skylock Snowed Diminished Power ia Trial Scene. OST o the people who went to the j Marquam to sec Edward Morgan In "The Eternal City" expected to at least see him as often on the stage as lie appeared In "The Christian." Tet "when Mr. Morgan's lines did allow him to appear before the audience his com manding personality and undoubted abil ity were all-powerfuL Frederic de Bell ville had a much stronger part as Baron Bonell. the shifty, cruel, bloodthirsty Ital ian Prime Minister, and he shared honors with the star. Sarah Truax, who once acted in John F. Cordray's Third-street theater, filled the romantic role of Donna Roma. She has a charming personality. Frank C. Bangs, as the Pope, and W. E. Bonney, as Rocco, did finished work. As forthe Incidental music, composed by Mascagni, and for which his fee is stated to have been $5000, it is weak and spirit less. It also lacks originality and when once played over one could hardly recall a single bar. "The Eternal City." with Its thrilling story, fine company and splen did scenery, is a success without Mas cagnl's music For gorgeous gowns and spectacular ef fect, "Mistress Nell" was one of the most ambitious shows over presented at Ba ker's theater, and the fine stage pictures and play of wit were very much enjoyed. At the same time the merry comedy was clearly written for the leading woman, and Miss Lyon had a most unusual op portunity, of which she took advantage Hoi; fine work will be remembered. Carlyle Moore had a part which suited him as Jaok Hart, and William Bernard shone in one of those dolicious creations in which disappointed love is the waking dream. George Alison was sufficiently gorgeous .as King Charles, and he was regal in his art as welL Gertrude Rivers made a fascinating Duchess. William Dills was realistic as Strings, and played satisfactorily. There's a good deal of charm in the title J'One Night In June," and people wee accordingly In a pleasant humor w4afore they even visited Cordray's Thea leroseetixls tearful melodrama. Grace Turner had to enact a difficult role as ' Mainline Jpeavy, a woman who mystori ouslklcluhg to a man although he per slsteittly, abused her and threatened hor life. jhy Mrs. Peavy remained the pa tient saint told In the play Is unexplained. "William JU. Holmes worked hard in vari ous channels to make the play go, and succeeded. James Willard ought to have been strongor and less ethereal as Rev. Herbert Aldrlch. The Japs at the Arcade proved to be winning cards all week and after reading bo -much war- news people looked at the clever performers with added interest. Leslie and Langton presented an amusing act in "A Country Cousin," and the Bals dans aro good trick bicycle riders. Jessie More's Illustrated songs aro pleasing. "THE BOSTON1ANS." Four Performances to Be Given at the Marquam. Next Tuesday night, February 23, the famous Bostonlans will open an engage ment of four performances at the Mar quam Grand Theator. The following rep ertoire will be given: Tuosday night, "Robin Hood"; Wednesday night, "The Soronade"; Thursday night, their new opera, "The Queen of Laughter"; Wed nesday matinee, "Robin Hood." This is the silver jubilee year of the Bostonlans, and it has been punctuated by magnificent reylval of "Robin Hood," If the word re vival may appropriately be applied to new performances of an opera that has never been out of public view more than a single season since it was first made known. In any event the peoplo of this city are to be treated to a series of per formances of that incomparable work at the Marquam. Tho cast of principals In cludes Messrs. Henry Clay Barnabee, William H. MacDonald and George B. Fothlngham in their oiglnal roles of Sher iff of Nottingham, Little John of Brown October Ale renown, and Friar Tuck, of soup-kettle delight; Agnos Cain Brown, a soprano, the freshness, purity, feeling and range of whoso voice have already mado her famous, will sing Maid Marian; the new Will Scarlet Is the accomplished Dasso, Howard Chambers; Robin himself is the well-known Canadian tenor, Doug lass Ruthven; Campbell Donald, Guy of Glsborne;. and Miss Adele Rafter, con tralto, Alan-a-Dale. This Is surely one of the happiest com binations for a cast of "Robin Hood" that the opera has ever known, and it should make the engagement In this city a record-breaker. Local muslclovers will feel a personal Interest in assisting, as the French have It. at the celebration of the quarter-centennial of the Bostonlans. Seats are now soiling. "CASE OF REBELLIOUS SUSAN" High-Class Comedy at the Baker This Week. High-class comedy will continue to hold the beards at tho Baker Theater for an other weak, the Baker Theater Company producing for the first time In Portland at popular prtcs "The Case of Rebellious Susan." It will start with the matinee this -aftarnoon and continue through the wook with the usual Saturday matinee. Th story is of the marital infelicity of "Se." the wife of James Harabin. Sir Rlefcard Kato figures conspicuously in the pley as the adviser of the unhappy pair. The weight of his mature judgment is of no avail, for Susan deserts her spouse In n nun at me close of the first act. A young man, Luclen Bdensor, is the ob- Jeat of the fair lady's affections. Their association csmos to the verge of a liaison. wfiec tne mentor. Sir Richard Kato. ap pears again and succeeds In persuading her to return to her home. Some of the Xtetit oemedy of the play centers about th equivocal interchange of experiences during the separation between James and Sasan, There are two other mated pairs QWGiSW? . 1 tUAMK i A CA7ZLYL? jKCCRF ??ZzX717? I WfSS) 1 V' '( STAGE CHASAJWRI&iy GLUE Wf AMGHr Oat AT in this lively drama, more or less unhappy, out comicauy so. one is Admiral Darby, who portrays the aged benedict who has been on duty away from his wife. Lady Darby, six months. There is a Mrs. Quesnel, to whose charms the wise men tor, Sir Richard Kato, succumbs. After many humorous complications, hearts are mended and peace and happiness are re stored by reconciliations between all the couples but one, and marriage between these two. "DOWN BY THE SEA." Romantic Comedy-Drama Opens at Cordray's Today. "Down by the Sea." a romantic com edy drama, opens at Cordray's Theater with a matinee today. There are few authors who possess the faculty of blending tho elements of humor and pathos so happily together as Mr. Mortimer Murdoch, and few to whom the art of expression comes so oasily and spontaneously. His ro mances of the sea havo made his namo a household word with tho playgoers of England. "Down by the Sea" Is one of his most popular stories, and has been an immense success as a play over there for the past eight years. For Its presentation in this country, th story has been slightly changed, and the ac tion now takes place on tho Long Island shore. Instead of the English coast. Tho story of the play Is interesting and strongly written, and is told in a pleasing manner. The characters are drawn from real life, and the language in which it is told Is good idiomatic English, with hero and there tquchr-, of poetic beauty. Tho love of a good man for a woman whom he believes is false to hor marriage vows Is strongly set forth. The comedy clement Is quite pro nounced, and the production has so many good points about it that it is no exaggeration to declare It ono of the best comedy dramas recently pro duced. The company comprises 14 players, ay of whom were engaged es pecially for their respective characters. The play will be staged with entirely new and elaborate scenic effects, and many novel specialties will punctuate the action of the drama. MURRAY AND MACK. "A Night on Broadway" to Be Pre sented at the Marquam. "A Night on Broadway," the second edition of Murray & Mack's musical fan tasy, will bid for popular notice at the Marquam Grand Theater next Friday and Saturday nights, February 26 and 27, with a popular-price matinee Saturday. In the new edition, the author has framed a fantastic story, having for its important and almost sole object, an evening of solid fun for intelligent thea tergoers. Kcrker Morton, the composer, has written an interesting score, which abounds In tuneful numbers of the sort which make a strong bid for popularity. The management have given this mu sical comedy a superb mounting, and a groat outlay of money has been expended upon its mechanical scenic equipment and .costumes. The principals engaged are Broadway favorites and singers and comedians of merit. The chorus is composed of some scores of pretty young women and young men with good voices. There is also a coterie of "show girls." whose beauty and vocal talent are expected to work won ders in the heart-breaking line. The ad vance sale of seats will open next Wed nesday morning at 10 o'clock. STAR ACTS AT THE ARCADE. Continuous Programme Today-New Bill Monday. Today at tho Arcade a continuous pro gramme from 2 to 10:30 P. M. will present the bill that has delighted thousands of patrons the past week. The Japanese jugglers, the trick bicycle riders, clever comedians and jolly singers offer a feast of vaudeville. The new WH starts Monday at 2:3) P. M.. with the following attractions: The Three Renos, comedians who present ecr centric marvels; Leslie and Langton. in a new society sketch; the Three Mal voras. artistic acrobats; Jessie More, in new Illustrated songs; S tod dart and WU- BTrWDUty ' son, In a tuneful musical novelty act; the American Bioscope, with moving pic tures of rare interest. COMING ATTRACTIONS. A Beautiful Comedy. Howard Kyle and a capable company will appear at the Marquam Grand The ater shortly in "Rosemary." with the original New York Empire Theater pro duction, under the direction of George H. Brennan. Mr. Kyle is said to have scor.ed the greatest success of his career in this beautiful comedy. "Slaves of the Mine." Cordray's Theater on February 2S will have a special attraction In a new play whose scenes are laid near Wllkes-Barre, Pa., entitled "Slaves of the Mine." Tho plot turns on a law peculiar to the state of Pennsylvania on the, subject of sub surface ores, and Is said to bo natural in character-drawing, very bright In dia logue, and full Of both exciting incidents and healthful ltumor. One ecene. de scribed as the acme of realism. Is the bot tom of a coalshaft, and an explosion of gas that reducees the mines to a wreck. "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Stetson's big production of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" -will appear at the Mar quam Grand Theater In the very near fu ture. I has been organized this season in a manner that will make it far superior to any previous production ever seen ture. It has been organized this season in the staging of the piece, and the scenery faithfully portrays several scenes of Southern life during the ante-bellum days in the far South. RIchard3 & Prlngle's Minstrels. J. J. Holland, manager of the "Richards & Prlngle's Famous Georgia Minstrels," Is In the city. Twenty-eight years Is .a long time for one company to be on tho road, and making nearly the same territory season after season, but this is the record of Richards & Prlngle's Fa mous Georgia Minstrels. Dan Sully. That natural actor, Daniel Sully, sup ported by a representative company' of New York players, will be the attraction at the Marquam Grand Theaer in the near future. Mr. Sully 'will produce for the first time in this city a new three-act society play entitled, 'The Chief Justice," from ,the pen of that clever dramatist, Fitzgerald Murphy. Olympia Opera Company. An eafly attraction at Cordray's Thea ter will be the Olympia Opera Company. The company has played in New Orleans for 20 weeks every Summer for several years and has the largest repertoire of any opera company traveling. STAGELAND. A valuable and unusual present has been given to Mrs. Fleko and her husband Last season, in a New York theater, she gave a performance of "Mary of Magdala" for tho benefit of the Itegina Angelorum, a home con ducted in New York City by the Sisters of Mercy for girls without friends or employment. A large sum was realized from Mrs. Flake's performance, and the Bisters were very grate ful for the benefit. , Their gratitude has been shown by a rcmsikablo token presented by thm to Mr. and Mrs. Fislce by the hand of the Rev. John Talbot Smith, chaplain -of tha' Sisters of Mercy. This was in tho form of a sentiment in verso embodying an acrostic f Mr. aad Mrs. Fiske's names, the whole illumi nated la the mediaeval style by arts of the band, commonly presumed to have been lost to this. age. It would seem from this beautiful souvenir that the year that has elapsed has been involved la the making of it, and that the hands of many Sisters wero employed in Its various details, all of whloh aro marvels of skill and infinite pains. Wild flowers and buds, some of them almost microscopic, but all of them perfect in design and coloring, with con ventionalized flowers and leaves in decorative phases, make up In a beautiful whole. A tiny figure f the infant Jesus in the .manner .is painted as a pendant to the design, while the monograms of Mr. and Mrs. Fiske ornament the lower corners. As a work of art the testi monial Is unique, showing as it does the ehar acterUUc patience and purity of its makers, to whom it was a labor of love. William Bernard and Frederick Earn el ton, of the Baker Theater Company, send thti com munication to The Oregonlan: "As two Aus tralian actors, we beg to take exception to statements In Leigh Bruckart's interview pub lished in last Sunday's Issue. First "and fore most,' American actors and actresses are Just as popular In Australia, even more so than English artists, and Australia Is a British pos session. Sarah Bernhardt, Nance O'Neill. 'A Trip to Chinatown, The Belle of New York' and TVUby are a few good American attrac tions that have done a record business in the col on lee. and the members of these companies have been received with open arms, socially. John L. Sullivan was a dire failure thers proving conclusively that Australians know good actors from 'good prlrefighters. When Mr. Braekart says that the pirate reigns su preme all over Australia, be states what Is absolutely incorrect. Manager J. C "William son, who is to Australia what Charles Froh man is to the United States, produces all American and English successes, and protects in every sense of tho word his own rights as well as thoss of authors. In an Interview Mr. Williamson gavo In New Tork two weeks ago he showed conclusively how business Is legit imately conducted at the AnUpodes." The personnel of the new Nelll-Morosco Com pany starting with Nat C. Goodwin's success. "When We Were Twenty-one," at the Bur bank Theater, Los Angeles. February 2S: How ard Gould. Ieadlnglman;. Amelia Gardner, lead ing woman; George Woodward, character come dian; Harry Mesrayer, Juvenile; Elsie Esmond, Ingenue; Therese Maxwell, principal support ing roles; Phosa McAllister, Frank McVlcars. Thomas Oberle, Robert Morris, Wilfred Rogers andH. J. Glnn. H. S. Duflleld is- alated as the acting manager. Mr. Gould starred last season in "The Prisoner of Zenda." and was also starred In the East under the management of Daniel Frohman. Miss Maxwell has Just concluded a season as1 leading woman for Law rence D'Orsay in "The Earl of Pawtuchet." Helen Lackaye. a sister of Wlltoa Lackaye, has been engaged for James NelH's Company. Tho fireproof ballet girl Is next! This and similar rubjecu have been engaging the atten tion of the management of the San Francisco Alharobra, and they have determined that no Inflammable material should bo used la the new ballet called "The Year Bound" produced there. A 'number of Interested guests wero Invited to the Alhambra to witness .the experi ments. Even the costumes which come into con. tact with electric-lighting effects were rendered uninflammable. In woodwork, every fiber was Impregnated with a Are-res Istlng solution. A block was split open and a shaving taken from the center. Even that was Incapable of combustion when subjected either to the -flames of a gas Jet or the Intense heat of an uncov ered electric arc lamp. Experiments with can vas, gauze, cotton, wool, artificial flowers, paper, end all manner of flimsy fabrics proved equally successful. Nat Barling, well-known in vaudeville work throughput Pacific Coast cities, la a letter to a friend, says that he recently met his affinity In San Francisco, becoming engaged to her two hours and -IS minutes after first meeting her. His letter continues: "After conversing a few minutes- I said to myself. 'Here's a good girl. Til try my' hand at proposing.' I told her that, sorry to relate, I was not as well fixed financially as I would like. She said that was nothing against me, and I said, TVell, It you'll take a chance with me, I will marry you.' She came right into my arms and I am engaged to her. It was 0:13 o'clock when I met her, and at 0:03 we were engaged." Dar ling has given up the stage, and will continue his old trade of plumber, in San Francisco. To "protect the Interests of tho organiza tion," the Theatrical Managers' Asosclation of Los Angeles has been organized, with these members: President, H. C. Wyatt. of the Ma son Theater; vice-president, Clarence Drown, of the Orrheum; secretary and treasurer, Oli ver Morosco, of the Burbank, and J. E. Wal deck, of the Casino, and Wlnfield Hocaboom, of the Grand. The association will principally fight the new license Imposed by the City Council on theaters In Los Angeles. $1200 per year, until tne last city iwuncu camo iaio office the license was ?300 a year. It is stated that la New York City the theater license is $300 a year: In Seattle. $100; and in Boston, S23. Tho new association will make the fight a political issue at the next city election. Wa centals & Kemper have purchased from Helnrlch Conrled the American rights to Heln- rlch Stobltxera German comedy, "Ilselotte," which Is now running at the Irving Place I Theater, New York. They have not decided who will be seen in the tlue role of tuzaoein Charlotte. The character Is one of the great poeslbllltles for a woman of Intensely human mold, portraying humor and pathos to a dra matic degree. A prominent dramatist will be called upon to adapt the comedy to tho Amer ican stage, and the first production will be made In Chicago next December. The play Is laid during tho reign of Louis IV, and as the period permits of elaborate staging, Wagenhals & Kemper promise one of the most elaborate productions of the year. Attractions last week at San Francisco the aters: Columbia, Louis James and Frederick Warde, In "Julius Caesar," "Othello," "Mac beth" and "Alexander the Great"; Tlvoll, "When Johnny Comes Marching Home"; Grand. Weber and Fields' Company, in "Whoop Da Doo" and "Catherine"; Alcazar, "The Charity Ball": Central, "The" Men of Jim town"; California, "Devil's Auction"; Fisch er's. "Holy Poly"; an'd Orpheum, Eight Vassar Girls. Werner-Amoroso Troupe; Zlska and King. Harry Thomson, Thome and Carle ton, Snyder and Buckley, Rice and Elmer, Orpheum motion pictures; and Billy B. Van, Rose Beau mont and company. Richard Mansfield's statement that ho will produce a- drama based upon Wagner's "Par sifal" next season and appear In the title-role himself. Is interesting. The name of the au thor who will adapt Wagner's libretto to the uses of the dramatic stage is not given, but it Is shrewdly guessed that the dramatist will be Mr. Mansfield himself. Ho announces that selections from tho Wagner score will be used for "incidental music" but this will be a detriment to tho ears of those that have heard it rendered in its lntegrityby the Urge orchestras of the Metropolitan. New York, and the Festival Theater at-Beyreuth. Robert North, who has been one of the big bits of Murray & Mack's "A Night on Broad way," and who has few equals In Hefirew characterizations, has left the company, open ing In Los Angeles at the Casino tomorrow In "Holty Tolty." Mr. North will succeed popu lar Barney Bernard, who has left to Join Harry James' Company, that will sail from San Franclsoc for Australia. Few authors desire to prodaco a play in Rome until it has received a baptism in some other city In Italy. Romans prefer to make failures, not successes. For Instance, D'An nunzlo's "Francesca da Rlmlnl," which was hooted In Rome on the first night of its per formance. It has been cheered almost every where else. Clarence Mackay, son of the late John Mackay. lately transferred one-half of his In terest in the Grand Opera-House property, in San Francisco, to James L. Flood, who. In tprn. transfered it to James E. Walsh, his private secretary, who holds his power cf at torney. James Neill, as Baron Chevrial. In "A Pa risian Romance," on a recent occasion received WITM ten curtain calls after the fourth act In Loa Angeles. A surprise ensued when Gertrude Keller, the Ingenue, refused to go on the stage in tights as Rosa in another attraction. Kath- erine Oilman played the part, at short notice. very acceptably. Julia Marlowe has returned from Italy to New York City. She may play a Spring en gagement in a new play. Edwin "Varrey, the veteran Shakespearean actor, has been engaged for the supporting company of E. H. Sothern and Miss Marlowe when they appear as Joint stars next season. A contract has been let for the refitting and redecorating of the Iroquois Theater. Chicago, and the playhouse will be reopened In- the early Spring. The cost of the repairs will be In the neighborhood of 522.000. The name of the theater will be changed to the Northwest, Mayor McClellan bas ordered the closing of these New York theaters: Grand Opera-House, Madison-Square Theater, Princess Theater, Hurtlg & Seamon's, and the theater part o; Huber's Museum, until certain alterations for eafety are made In these houses. Frederic Belaeco and his general manager. E. D. Price, are going to New York shortly. and are awaited with expectation upon the Rlalto, as they will have some 125 players to engage for their Pacific Coast etock companies and traveling organizations. Joseph Hart and Carrie De Mar have changed the name of the musical farce which they have chosen to follow "Foxy Grandpa." It 13, "Tho Courteous Cannibal." "Fcxy Grandpa" will continue on the road next season without either of its present stars. Frederic de Bellvllle, who played the part of Baron Bonell I In "The Eternal City," at tha Marquam. last week, has been offered a -position for next season with the Baker Theater Company, but has not so far accepted the offer. Alice Lennon. the young California actress, who has been E. S. Wlllard's leading lady at the St. James Theater. London, has signed a lC-weeks contract to appear "with him In the principal cities of England la "The Cardinal," Actors are often their own severest critics. A clever one who scolded himself and the' en tire profession recently said: "The trouble with actors Is that they are one-inch man and six feet flesh." 1 Russell. Drew and French will Inaugurate a Summer etock at the Seattle Third-Avenue, beginning about May 1. William Gleason, the well-known character man, will be a member of the company. . May Buckley, who was a member of the Nelll-Morosco Company at the beginning of the present season, la one of the cast of "The Shepherd King," to open at the New York The ater, April 4. Isabel Irving was to have appeared lately In "The Crisis" at Marietta, O., but a real crisis occurred when the entire town was flooded in two feet of water. The engagement had to be canceled. Frederick Hartley, who played leads for two seasons for Julia Arthur, and who fulfilled stock engagements In Chicago theaters, is dead at New York from an, attack of pneu monia. N The benefit performance of "One Night in June," last Friday night, at Cordray's, for the funds of the Home of the Good Shepherd, netted for that Institution the sum of $215. Ada Rehan denies tha truth of the report that she was to be a co-star with Sir Henry Irving; and also that she had refused to sign With Llebler & Co. for another season. Clay Clement will continue to use "The New Dominion" for the present season and next. After next season he will use a sew play writ ten by himself, entitled "Idols." Mayor McClellan recently refused to permit a 4-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl to ap pear In "A Doll's House" at the Manhattan Theater, New York City. Asa Lee Willard. formerly leading 4han la Manager George L. Baker's "The Christian" Company, has been engaged for heavy roles with Alberta Gallatin. George M. , Cohan, of "The Four Cohans," announces his starring tour next season in a new musical play, "LJttle Johnny Jones," written by himself. Cecilia Lof tus, E. H. Sothera's leading "wom an, ia to star next year in a dramatization of one of Israel Zangwlll's stories, "The Serio comic Governess." Maurice Hyde, who has been a member of David Warfleld's Company, is home at San Francisco after the disbanding of the company la New Orleans. Yvette Gullbert has entirely recovered her health and signed a contract with the manage ment of tho Follea-Bcrgera, to appear there shortly. May Edouln and Fred Edwards, in a musical comedy called "A Bachelor's Dream." begin an engagement In New York City March 7. Georgia Calne has replaced Jeanette Lowrle as Miss Venter in "Tho Medal and the Maid, at the Broadway Theater. New York City. Richard Carroll has signed to become the leading comedian of the company at the Fischer Optra-House, San Francisco. Next Fall Robert Mantell will bo seen in New York la revivals of "Hamlet" and "Othello," and In a new romantic drama. ' Pollard's Lilliputian Opera Company will re turn to this country from Australia next De cember, entirely reorganized. "How Old Is Ann?" Is tbf namo of a the atrical attraction Just started, with "Harry J, Gates as business manager. David Warfleld Is studying the part of Shy- locK- David Beiaaco may offer him In the part before long. companies ciosea: a Little Outcast," at Wheeling. W. V.; "Man to Man," at Hamll ton. O. ' - Frank Blair will succeed Barney Bernard in charge of the stage at the Los Angeles Ca sino. Chicago Journal. ' C EAN'S Shylock, said Jerrold, was I like a chapter of Genesis. Sir Henry Irvlngs Shylock la like an essay by Schopenhauer. It puts the spectator out of conceit with life. Shylock, as Irving shows him, 19 a malignant scoundrel; yet he has enough of Hebraic dignity when his punishment falls upon him not only to demand and receive something of our re spect. 1 nothing of our sympathy, but to bring us close to despising all the other characters- in. the drama, who triumph over him and take so unholy and ungener ous a Joy In having- robbed this defense- leas creature of his daughter, his wealth and his religious fellowship." Shylock, as Shakespeare obviously In tended him, was a supremely base Jew and In Shakespeare's day when, the- antf Jewlsh feeling of the dark ages still sur vived In bitterness, Jew was synonymous with evil Incarnate taking advantage of a supremely noble Christian. There were no extenuating circumstances. Therefore he should be punished severely, though not as severely as was possible la that age of the thumbscrew and- the "hang man's daughter," for Shakespeare had hu manity In advance of bis environment. Shylock was the villain in a melodrama sweetened by liberal doses of Shakes peare's poetry and comedy, and then, as now, more than SCO years later the villain in a melodrama had to be all villain. He (.was not a human being, but a passion embodied, the passion of revenge. .If this view Is correct, Portia is the chief figure in "The Merchant of "Venice," not Shylock. but in reversing their posi tions Sir Henry merely follows tho prece dents of eve'ry perform.nce since Kean's time. Indeed, much less than some of the notable Shylocks of which we have mem ory or authentic tradition does he yield to the wholly modern and false sentimental ism with which we have come to regard the Jew of Venice. E. G. At the close of the' trial scene, when Shylock hag been crushed, Irving shows him bowed and broken and in sorrow, but not humbled or abandoning anything of his hate. The present writer has had the privilege of seeing Irving in this character a great many times, but It seemed to him that never ief ore had the'actor played Shylock quite as well as ho played It, except, per haps, in two points, last night. The first Mascot -Hoodoos Understudy Sometimes Star Is Too Healthy, Complains Marie Tempest's Shadow Lady. THERE- are two kinds of understudies the mascot and the hoodoo. The mascot Is always an understudy, as her presence Insures the good health of the principal, for whom she is a substitute. The hoodoo sometimes gets, a chance to Hhow off her ability, as the star or some of the more Important satellites run a very good risk of falling a victim to grip or bronchitis and other ills of the flesh while the hoodoo Is around. But mascot or hoodoo, the understudy always has to be on the spot. In most English companies the understudy of the principal character does not act, but draws her salary just the same. Sher takes the place. in fact, of a "sleeping partner" in a mer cantile firm, says a New York newspaper. Not that she hasn't any duties to perform. On the contrary, her task is by no means an easy one. MIs3 Celestlne Bertram, Marie Tem pest's understudy, has something to say on this subject, which is most Interesting from the fact that for the better part of her stage career Miss Bertram has been understudy to some leading actress. "The fact of my being tho sister of my brother," she says, "probably gave me my present position, for he Is Miss Tem pest's manager, but during my short ex istence on the boards I have had the I suppose pleasure of nearly always under studying some one of Importance. In fact, I began as an understudy. Mr. Bertram had a company out 'on the road, as you call It, and one of tha ladles was taken 111. I volunteered to go on In her place. and, as I knew the play, I was accepted, and got through all right. That was how I commenced on tha stage. Since then I have been with Forbes Robertson, Mrs. Patrick 'Campbell, Kate Rourke, In 'The Message From Mars, with Fanny Brough, and others. "What are an understudy's duties? "Well. first of all I have to be ia the theater to report half an hour before the perform ance commences, and stop In ,front until the first act Is over. Then I have to attend one rehearsal every week. That Is about all, but added to this Is the anticipation of having to go on at a moment's notice. Generally speaking, anticipation is much nicer than realization, but in the present case you can't blame me for being nerv ous about following Marie Tempest. "Would I copy her If I had a chance to play her part? "Why not? I would certainly try my best to be like her, and I am sure there could be noimprovement on her act-? Theater Life at the Antipodes Veteran Manager Thinks Actor's Australian Experience Most Valuable. New York Telegraph. JC "WILLIAM SON, whose profes- slonal career as an actor began in this country some 40 years ago when ho was a member of Lester Wallack's 3tock company, believes in the future of the Australian stage. Ho I3 the Napoleon of a powerful Australian theater syndicate, and visits this country once every three years principally to find out how near to Yonkers the theatrical district is creeping. Asked about h3 ventures in the Never, Never Land, Mr. Williamson said: "In Melbourne I control Her Majesty's and the Princess Theaters. George Mus grove, formerly my partner, has the oth er houses there. Besides Her Majesty's I have in Sydney the Theater Royal and outlying playhouses in other portions of Australia, and New Zealand. "Among my organizations is the Royal Comic Opera Company, organized 24 years ago, which presents all the Savoy Theater operas, the Gaiety comedies and Daly's productions, together with other musical pieces. My musical comedy company, at present on tour, presents lighter pieces, as, for Instance, 'The Belle of New York. We also have a dramatic com pany headed by Cuyler Hastings, an American actor, producing such plays as Sherlock Holmes,' 'The Llghtr That Failed,' 'Secret Service,' 'If I Were. King and 'The Admirable Crlchton. Then we manage the concert tour of Ada Crossley and produce many of the Drury Lane pantomimes. In fact. 'The Sleeping Beau ty and tha Beast' Is now running at the Theater Royal, Sydney." Mr. Williamson sighed at the thought of the responsibility involved, and In voluntarily extended his hand as If reach ing for a box office statement. "But how about these productions?" he was asked. "How do your plays and players compare with ours?" "Compare?" exclaimed Mr. Williamson. "In Australia we have the best schools of acting in the world. My advice to actors who wish to attain the most valu able kind of experience is to start imme diately for Australia. Where do you In America have any schools for actore such as our companies offer? We change the play eight or ten tlme3 3. year, and wo play only established successes. "Through Mr. Sanger, in New York, and another representative m London, I of these was the diminished power, whlc seemed to show physical weakness. wiUl wmcn ne spoKe tne words, "Come, pre! pare!" to Antonio in the trial scene. ThcsJ words ho used to deliver in a manner thai curdled the blood, but last night he chosJ another method, apparently based utv .observation of the fact that anrr pnfool oica ine voice instead of maklne it VfcorJ ous. This may bo true and it may b suouer art man tne old way, but it mlsse tne marK or tne auditor s terror. The other point in which last night's performance seemed less excellent- thnr some of Its predecessors was Shylock:! exit irom tne courtroom, which was al-J together too much elaborated, so lhat it! losLjOignity ana Became almost grotesque. But in the street scene surely neither he nor any otner actor ever surpassed Henrj Irving last night. The walllne and ralUnc by turns over his ducats and his dauch-1 ter, the grief of mixed motives over the! turquoise ring of his lost Leah, now inl the hands of a Christian who would waste Its value all this was really wonderful.' Nor could anything have been finer thanl the way the trial scene was managed by! this consummate artist. Shylock walked! into the courtroom a god about to aportj witn nis piaytntngs and feed fat the" ancient grudge he bore them. Power was! his and the victory, and you say the con sciousness of it not only In his grlm.j biting, sarcastic numor, but In every I glance of his eye, every movement o hlsl body, every expression on his face, every 1 turn of his bead. Shylock, after the delivery of Portia's decisive counterstroke, was no less a god, though fallen, for. though his head was bowed and his limbs gave way and grief I embraced him, yet he was still the uncon quered master of his fate, the unconquera ble captain of his soul. This was not act ing?; It was revelation. Of the company Sir Henry has brought to us this time. It Is enough to say that almost any member of It, If ho or she had reached on the American stage an equal skill, would have been "starred" long ago b7 some one. Certainly, they all acted much, more Impressively than many of our so-called stars, and. as for our minor ac tors, they are not worthy to be compared I with theso English players. Perhaps Por tia was not the most satisfactory member ! of tho cast, but it were unsafe, to say so unless we could dissociate from the part our memories of Ellen Terry. Special commendation must be given to Laurenca Irving's Antonio, which had real distinc tion. Ing. That's why I am almost frightened at times, but It would certainly give me a chance I have never yet had. I suppose, if I tell you that it happens very often the more you Btudy a play the more liable you aro to forget the lines, you would bo captious, but, truthfully speaking, one gets very rusty, especially If you have not been acting for a long time, oven though you have the weekly rehearsal. An under study's position Is. of course, rather mo notonous. For Instance, I understudied Kate Rourke for a long time, and was dy ing to play her part, but no I She was too healthy! I am a veritable mascot In that way, a qualification which Is being pretty well recognized. In the present play, Tho Marriage of Kitty,' I understudy the part of the maid as well, and I actually had a chance the other night to play It. Beyond putting tho cart before the horse In one sentence I came off with flying colors. Some time since we used to have two com panies of 'The Marriage of Kitty ona playing and the cither understudying. which, I fancy, wongi be a. novelty over "Whenever I do p!ai, a. paL I nlwai have some sort of,jince.wndo time I played the injured nsFC when In the very depths of woe had to buy some coal, which an old woman Imme diately took away from me. I suppose I must have been very realistic In my act ing, for I was met at the stage door after ward by a dear old lady, who, on Intro ducing herself, gave me this advice: " 1 was surprised to see a young, strong woman like yon allow yourself to be put upon. Now, look here; tonight, when that hag goes to take away that basket of coal, you Just go for her and give It her hot and strong!' "Here's another experience, which had to. do with a theatrical lodging-house I was stopping In in England. The landlady was extremely nice and oBliging, but she would insist on giving me steak and onions for breakfast every morning. I protested, but it was of no use; so, when I went away I took her family Bible and placed ar piece of paper in It with 'Read Hebrew xlii:S.' I hope she did. for the passage runs to this effect: " 'The same yesterday, today and foe-, ever!' "She had plenty of Irish wit, did this old lady, and I think If she had known my exact position In the company she would have had sense enough to have sub stituted an understudy in the way of breakfast food on me!" get all the principal newspapers and criticisms of current attractions. 1 loa how English successes are received in America, and how American successes aro received in London. In addition is this, I get weekly comments from my repre sentatives. Having digested all those I aro In a pretty fair way to select tha real wheat from the chaff. No other or ganization In the world offers its players so wide a variety of excellent parts. "We take our time over there. Wo don't shove on productions without prep aration. Why, right In Sydney we've built better spectacles than any I've seen in London or New York. I have my own scenic artists and my own corps of cos tume. We don't accept In their en tirety the spectacles we purchase, but add material of our own. Besides wo make original productions, such as 'DJln Djin' and 'Matsa, Queen of Firo,' two spectacles I have never seen excelled." At this point Mr. Williamson was re minded of an old stage tradition to tha effect that he alone, of Lester Wallack's celebrated players, ever received so in sistent a recall that he was obliged to re peat a scene. "Let me see," he said. "I Joined Wal lack's company In 18G3. That incident must have occurred somewhere about '70. My port was that of Sid in "Wild Oats." At the conclusion of the scene came tho cue for Lester Wallack's entrance, but he generously permitted mo to do tho scene over again. No, I don't think ho believed-1 hadn't done it right the first time. "And, speaking of Lester Wallack3 company, that was the greatest organi zation that ever played in the English language, and I don't believe Its equal will be seen again. Wherj are the play ers for another such company? Why, we used to divide the company and play 'Sahool for Scandal In New York and The" Rivals' in Brooklyn the same night, and still have a surplus of a dozen ex cellent actors." Mr. Williamson recalled reminiscences about his earlier associates, and told how later he had originated the role of Dick Swlveller In Lotta's production of "Little Nell." In 1874 he began a starring tourN which took him to - London, India and ' eventually Australia. Visitors to Portland Should not miss the delightful trips up and down the Columbia River. Particu lars at O. R & N. city ticket offlce. Third and Washington.