New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-18
THE DRAMA.
IBSEN At THE MANHATTAN.
Mrs. Fiske.

revival of Mr.. Ibsen's morbid and repulsve
play OF "Hedda Gabler'' accomplished last
night at the Manhattan Theatre.-Mrs. Fiske agar
impersonating the principal degenerate Mrs. Tes-
man, and Mr.. John Mason and Mr.. George Arliss
appearing Lovberg and Brack: Mr.. Arliss giving
performance that finely marked with velvet
duplicity and steathy elegance. and Mr. Mason
vitalzing the manuscript and pistol scene with
powerful and touching outburst of the dellrium OF
passionate grief Mrs. Fishes former achievement as
the Gabler occurred on October 3. 1905. and since
then she has edited many communities with a ais
play Of this oquacious and Ubiquitous cat Her per-
romance Is remarkably good-being mordant with
sarcasm. keen with irony dreadful with suggestion
Of subtle watchfuI wickedness and bright with vi
clous eccenricty The actress has herself stated In
print. her belief that Mr. Ibsens influence on the
contemporary drama has been "baneful, ana 1haC
by his example as well by his work he has al
most banshed beauty. nobility and poetry from
the stage" Her own exploit substantiates her
belief She was cordially applauded and many
times recalled by small but attentive and respon-
sivA audience
The play of "Hedda Gabler'' is prolix. depress-
Ing and defng exposition of disease. It's principal
character, Mrs Tesman is sick Functional de-
rangement has disordered her brain and destroyed
her moral sense. She is vain. selfish. malicious; a
thief, liar, traitor: she exuts In cruelty and
depravity; and,-iguring through a series of in
expressiby tiresome colloquies-she closes life of
hypocrisy and guilt with the crime of suicide. A
nastier little female reptile has not been depicted.
even by Mr.. lbSen.-"whOse spirits toll In frame
of villanies" and whose whole fabric of dramatic
writing Is a pollution to the stage, a wearisome
burden upon contemporary thought. darkness to
the eyes of hope. and blight to everything that
it touch, of nobility. beauty. and joy Perhaps
such persons Hedda Gaber exist-in Bedlam
and Boomngdale. The Lunatic Asylum is the place
for them; not the Theatre. 1T is not. nor it can
good"
There are indications, however, that the move
ment toward degenerate drama will be pushed.
The whole world is in extraordinary conmotion:
repose seems nowhere to exist: and in all seasons
of extraordinary commoIiOn the scum floats 10 the
top. The community has been afflicted with an
epidemic of 'Ghosts'-which is unmitigated filth.
and with epidemic OF Candida which is reck-
less. mischievous conceted ironcal triding, crazy
sentmentalsm, and vicious sophistry; and every
day the brood OF cranks becomes more numerous,
the fads aggressive. the commercial specu-
lators desperate for novelty. the wild expert
ments rife Serious Drama" the consequent
morbid stuff is called. The Drama of Ideas:
but the it is examined It is found to be the
drama that illumines the madhOuse, rakes in the
hospital. delves in the sewer. Surely there Is
enough good in human nature, enough romance IN
human history. enough beauty in the natural world.
wherein base a drama of loveliness and light:
and surely of genius. like Mrs Fiske. has
no need to stoop the drama that is "baneful; to
the drama that banishes poetry and nobility; to
the crack-brained devices of Old World charlatans;
to "all that IS at enmity with joy" w. W.