HERR BANDMANN AS SHYLOCK.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2470, 17 February 1881, Page 2

HERR BANDMANN AS SHYLOCK.

SECOND EDITION

Herr Bandmann appears to morrow evening as “ Sliylock,” in the “ Merchant of Venice.” The Dunedin Press has the following in reference to his impersonation : —“ Mr Bandmann dressed very appropriately, and the moment ho emerged from the wings muttering the three “ thousand ducats,” the attention of the audience wasrivetted on him,and it was at once seen that, like his representation of Hamlet, he would make the Jew rise far above all the rest of the characters in the play. In debating the question of the loan, he gives a signiiicant start at the lirst mention of .Antonio’s name, and expression of intense hatred lights up his countenance, and as suddenly passes away. The speech in which he expresses his disgust at “ the habitation which the Nazarite conjured the Devil into,” and his shuddering refusal to “eat or pray” with the Christians was splendidly delivered. His easy transition into the lighter query, “ What news on the Kiaito ?" shewed the control which Sliylock could at will exercise over his feelings, The declamation of the linos which follow the entrance of Antonio, and in which the Jew gives his reasons for hating the Christians, and ending with “ Cursed by ni}' tribe if I forgive him,” prepared the audience for the culmination of fiendish malignity which his passion for revenge reaches in the last act. All through the scene with Antonio and Bassanio, the dissimulation of the Jew,and the hatred which like a volcano burned within his breast, were finely depicted. His taunting of Antonio with, “ Hath a dog money ? Is it possible that a cur can lend three thousand ducats ?” his weird laugh at the “ meny bond ” and the gleam of glad triumph which Hashed over his face when he linds Antonio ready to sign were brilliant specimens of dramatic art. In the scene with Jessica, his love for his daughter, his thrift, and his dominant passion of hatred for the Christians were made apparent. As the drama proceeds this passion gains intensity, and his desire for revenge upon the one particular Christian who had “spat upon his gaberdine,” readies a climax in his

interview with Antonio, and in which he declares,in repty to the unfortunate merchant, “ I will have no speaking ; I will have my bond.” His eyes gleam, his trembling lingers open and dose again as if lie already clutched in his hand the heart of the merchant.”