The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1905-06-11

Her desire to appear impersonal makes
Mrs. Fiske a vexatious subject for the
interviewer who stickles for approved
style and aims to be literal in transcript
ton. While graciously willing to discuss
any pertinent topic suggested, she abhors
the perpendicular pronoun IN print and
prefers to have her views and comments
accredited TO the anonymous third per-
son. IF you don't quote me as saying
So is the exasperating prefix TO the most
interesting things she does say, and after
they have been said her injunction is
usually clinched with, But If that is
published as my opinion l shall be I'M
happy" And what man, unless he be OF
G certain opulent combine, could deliber-
ately convey unhappiness to Minnie Mad
oern Fiske and retain his self-respect?
But" was my despairing protest, by
emitting the Ts-your rs-the interview
might appear prosy."
Better that than have me appear vain
and conceited," she rejoined.
But the value Of comment is enhanced
by exact quotation" J argued.
1T is the quality OF a sentiment rather
than the identity OF its author that
makes for value" she answered
Further appeal was clearly useless, so
with implied acquiescence that what was
said by the famous little woman would
be Of no more worth or public interest
than If it were said by Mrs. John Smith
Of no fame whatever, I accepted the con-
dition.
7 don't want to talk about the syndi-
cate" she said.
Nor do I"
Because there is nothing TO say on
that subject that has not been said re-
estedly," she explained.
4 would rather discuss your art-your
plans" I suggested.
fa-z
after we leave here, and then I may
come back and spend a portion of the
summer with relatives in Oakland. For
next season we have planned a series Of
revivels at the Manhattan Theater and
the production OF new play by Rupert
Hughes, treating Of New York character
types OF the modern school"
And fulillment of your last years
promise TO present Ibsens 'Rosmersholm
IS still indefnite?"
But not abandoned. The play requires
extended and psinstaking rehearsal. but
some day we shall settle down to it's pre-
paration. The character Of Rebekah is
most fascinating"
And most morbid Why didn't Ibsen,
after he had racked Rosmer and Re-
bekah with repentance, charitably make
them happy ever after?"
Such q finish would have spoiled the
lesson" said Mrs. Fiske, quickly respon-
sive 70 the hint that a Philistine was
within the gates When Rebekah enters
Rosmer's life her purpose is. TO draw him
into affinity with her advanced thought.
She is INSCRIPTIONS, absolutely free
owing no allegiance 70 dogma COM
plete iconoclast. She systema tically
alen6tes the husbands love and per-
suadee the wife TO believe that his hap
piness can only be effected by her death,
so the woman commits suicide. Re
bekah's dominancy remains mistaken
until through her confession, Rosner
learns that his wife's self-destruction was
not due TO insanity. but TO desire TO pro-
mote his well-being, and then he sees
with the dead woman's eyes The de-
vour religious principle Of his youth re-
sumes sway Of his mind. and gradually
and unconsciously Rebekahs thought
becomes similarly affected Until she-the
woman who had entered Rosmersholm to
enlist its master in the cause Of free
living-becones a religious fanatic and
agrees with him that suicide is their only
atonenaent for the life that their error
had sacrificed. So they die together"
''Grewsome-and subtle" was my eau
tious response 10 the narrator's inquiring
glance.
'-AIT the subtieties Of q play THAI re-
quires In the acting an evening OF in
tense mental application cannot be ex-
planned in a moment" was the rejoinder.
But, my word for it. the psychological
contrarities Of Rebekah make her a
fascinating character"
I shifted TO more secure ground by
asking her what part of her work she
found most attractive. and she replied
that the theater would be uninteresting
Il she were TO abandon her policy Of
developing each part OF every play she
presents.
In this connection IL may not be
amiss to explain that acting is only
one OF Mrs. Fiskes accomplishments.
She is also an author, a student, a pro-
Queer. a stage manager par excellence.
The public sees her in the least impor-
tant Of her lf-imposed tasks. All day
long she is either studying or directing
rehearsals, and between acts-aye. be-
tween scenes-while the play is on she
is instructing stage hands in the set
ting Of pictures or drilling supernu-
meraries. or sharply watching her as
sociates act or suggesting to them