The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-28
Some Facts About ..Monna Wanna"

Some Facts About "MOnna Wanna"
The public is going to hear a great deal
of the Maeterlinck drama, Norma Wanna"
during the next few months. This play in
fact, promises to become to the theatrical
world of America what Wagner's "Parsi-
fal' has been 20 the musical world during
the last year. Harrison Grey Fiske, the
husband and manager of the distinguished
actress, Mrs. Fiske, and manager of the
Manhattan Theater in New York, an
nounces that he has secured the American
rights TO this play. WagenhalS q kemper,
Blanch Walshs managers, claim that they
have secured the American rights for their
popular star and that Miss Walsh Will be
seen In the drama within the next three
or four weeks. Mr.. FiSke> says that, under
his contract with Maurice Maeterlinck, the
celebrated foreign dramatist grants TO
him in perpetuity the sole and exclusive
rights and authorization to produce Norma
Wanna or to have that play produced IN
all languages, except the French language,
on the stage within the United states ana
the Dominion of Canada.
Last week the play was produced in the
German language at the lrving-place
Theater in New York under the manage
ment of Heinrich COnreid, with the we'll
known German actress, Alice Kauser, in
the leading role. In explaining his produc-
ton Herr Conreid told a New York Sun
reporter that he had secured the manu-
script from the translator, who turned the
play from French into German. Il do not
know whether he had the rights to SELL
added Herr Conreid, ''but L confident
my action is warranted" AS Mr.. Fiske did
not put a stop to the German production
in New York, it seems that for some rea.
son or other, the American copyright of
"Monna Wanna" is defective, as was the
case with that other much-discussed play,
"Cyrano de Bergerac." And so il is that
both Mrs. Fiske and Blanch Walsh will be
seen III the play. Both are emotional
actresses of the first rank and it will be
wonderfully interesting 10 compare their
respective interpretations. 1t is likely that
many inferior actresses will also attempt
to enact the drama, and, as result,
Norma Wanna" will be played in America
more than it is being played in Europe.
OF the drama itself, 1t must be said that
il Is wholly unlike any of Maeterlincks
other plays. The language is beautifully
clear and concise. There are no yelled
meanings, no symbolism requiring an all
seeing eye to fathom it's mysteries, and
none of the meaningless repetition which,
in the light of his other work, might have
been expected of the author The situations
are excelently conceived and have Won
derful dramatic force The story has to
deal with the city of Pisa at the time that
1t was besieged by the Florentines and
shows how Norma Wanna, at heart pure
woman, decides TO give up all that is dear
in life to her in order to save the lives of
her fellow citizens, since the general in
withdraw his forces from the walls OF the
city II she-the women he loves-wi1 but
bow to his will Monna Wanna is saved in
the end from the great shame by the rever-
ence for her purity which gradually comes
into the heart of the Florentine general.