The record-union., 1896-12-27


New York POST: The performance OF
Isben's Little Eylof'' have been more
successful, in a pecuniary sense, at the
London Avenue Theater than was eX-
pected The explanation, of course, is
obvious In the first place, the news
papers advertised it tremendously, and
in the second three popular actresses,
Mrs. Patrick Campbell, Mrs. Elizabeth
Robins and Miss Janet Achurch, ap
peared in ii together. The critics who
are among the disciples of the master
are in ecstacieS over the grandeur, the
significance, the pOignancy, the philo-
sophie truth, and other lofty attributes
which they discern in this study Of
moIbidity and nastiness, but they are
in a small minority All the others are
agreed that the tale in itself is dull
and vulgar; that its allegorical mean
ing, whatever it may be, is neither new
nor valuable, and the scientific part Of
it is pretentious ignorance. a writer in
the "Athenaeump says: 'In his i'm
potent way he maunders in Little
Eyolf' among dark themes. He prom
isss adultery. and he more than hints
at incest Happily for him, he can
not reach his own ideal. Scenes intend
ed to convey the idea Of dangerous and
deadly allurement make US smile by
their puerility; conjugal alterations
astonish for their want of meaning.
The whole strikes us as the dream of
q blind man concerning color-a school
boys conception Of an orgie. Into
the various characters Of the play en-
thusiasts and Missionaries may read
read what significance and symbolism
they like The Rat-Wife may be
mystic prefgurement of death or the
advertisement Of a verrnin- destroyer,
it matters nothing. Symbolism Is out
Of place in acted drama. and there is
no nonsense into which enthusiasts
may not intrude significance. Not al
ways saNages are those who will dis
cover divine mysteries in the rawlings
of lunacy. Polonius is not the only one
to find a happiness that often madness
hits on, which reason and sanity could
not so prosperously be delivered Of "
W. ]. Henderson. In New York
Times: Mime. Nordica is dear to US
all for more than one reason, but 1t is
certain that her American birth is not
one of the factors of her popularity.
OF course, her countrymen are glad
that she is an American and that they
can for that reason enjoy a pride IN
her achievements But they would ad-
mire her work just as much, applaud
it just as heartily and spend their dol
lars on it just as generously If she were
a German or an Italian. 1t is a great
pity that we are deprived Of the privi-
lege Of hearing her in opera this sea-
son. 1t Is dehatable whether she is
not in her line the best dramatic So
prano Of her day. She has not certain
qualifications which are essential TO
true greatness in the lyric drama, and
she often fails to move us when she
is most convincing. But her appeal to
the intelligence Is overwhelming. Those
who do not hesitate to think in the
theater ARE always fascinated by Nine.
Nordicas work, because 1t gives so
many evidences of thought, SO many
results of study.
Last winter the writer of this de-
partment was moved to utter high
praise Of Nine. Nordica's Isolde. Now
at a distance Of several months from
the immediate spell of that noble per-
formance, I see no reason to retract a
single word of that praise. 1t is no
injustice to Mime. Nordica to say that
there were points at which her Isolde
fell short Of the requirements of the
part. But the deficiencies We're the re-
suit Of natural limitations over which
Nine. Nordica had no control. Her
voice is hard and infexible, and 1t re
quires the widest resources of her art
to overcome these troubles. Her tenn
permanent, too, is not OF the tragic or
der, and she is never carried away by
the storm of her own emotions. But
she does understand and she knows
how to convey her understanding 10
the auditor, That Is a masterful
achievement and It makes Nordica
great.
A man who had the earmarks Of a
farmer stepped up to the box Office OF
the Newark N. j. TheateT on the last
day Of Dieby Bells engagement, and
as he handed in his money for two
seats asked the Treasurer what the
play was for that night
"Hoosier Doctor" replied the box
office man sentenUously.
Look here. I don't want any of your
frrpertinence." replied the purchaser
Just you give me two seats and tell
me what the play IS"
"Hoosier Doctor again answered the
Treasurer, somewhat amazed at the
mans temper
Doll ga. n you" said the farmer
Its none Of your business who my
doctor IS. and # yol don't give me a
civil answer III yank you through that
window"
\ light began to break in on the
ticket reller's mind. He then slowly and
forcibly explained that Digby Bell was
to appear that night In new play
called The Hosier Doctor
Wei, whs couldn't you say that al
first observed the plaoated country
man, and save all this ere fuss. You
city chaps are too smart"
New York Times: The recently profit
able trade of turning novels into play:
has received a sad blow. 1t IS a preca
rious business, at it's best, in which
for long periods. the operator, or what
ever he may be technically called, caI
exc out only the ba-est living, and
sometimes not even that. But II has
known cycles o. great prosperity. WheI