The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-09
NEW GENIUS, MME. ALLA NAZIMOVA

1 anything about 1t. That is all for the newspapers. I say l like America be- | cause l mean it. It has been very good
 to me, else I would not choose it for my
 future home. You couldn't say an un- kind thing when you are come to stay
 forever, could you? I know little of this
 land. I only know some about Chicago
 and this city, but that little p1eases me.
 Tt is not true that cannot return to Russia on account of political reasons.
 The Chosen People excited a great deal of discussion naturally on account of it's I defence of it's subject, and we did have some trouble on account of it, for in Russia. as you know, political feeling takes sides very strongly, but the reports of our being exiled on account of this play are very incorrect. I was back in Russia last summer and expect to go again next year. so you see.''
 Do you intend playing emotional parts when you finish with 'Hedda Gabler,
 Madame?"
 "No. Certainly not After Hedda shall do The Dolls House and The Mas ter Builder There are many actresses who play what you call emotional parts which usually means one trenedous scene in the middle act. There is nothing to that. You sputter and make a noise and that's all. But to play a role in which
 you must think and show your emotion in your face, that is the type of play
 which attracts me. On my opening night
 in 'Hedda Gabler' I was called upon for a
 speech and I said. No, let mo feel. not
 speak, and l meant it. I like Ibson, Sud- ermann, Hauptmann. the German school, the Norwegian and the Russian. I can't
 bear the French school with it's Zazas, It's
 Dame Camellias which you call 'Camille.P It's so easy to make people
 laugh or cry, but to send them home with
 something to think about, ah. that is diff
 ferent I like Maeter1inck and DAnninzio
 to read, but not to act. I have played
 Monna Wanna in Russin as well as nearly
 all the great plays by the modern writers.
 have acted 'Zaza' too. In Russia it was
 hard, so hard, but one learned much by experience. Here it is easy, very easy.
 and one gains little In my country we
 played five and six new parts every week
 of our lives. Here you stay in one play sometimes three years. That part I do
 not like I would never consent to do such thing. It debases art. Just be- cause a play makes money is no reason why an actress must bury herself in 1t. do you think so? am too ambitious to do that must think and I can't think one thing for three years. No, never. would rather do as they do in Russia. Ine SalarleS there are not 50 Ddu put an actress must provide all the costumes worn in every play, and when there are several acts in five or six different plays each week you can figure out about how expensive that would be. How lovely 1t Is here where your managers are so gen.
 erous and the actress has nothing to think about except her role"
 Was your conception of Hedda in
 fuenced by the interpretation of anyone
 else Madame?"
 "No. indeed for I have never seen He'd
 da Gabler' played. I studied her for my
 self and in my acting l have reason
 for everything I do. Every expression
 of my face is carefully thought out: ev-
 cry movement of my hands. my head. my
 bcdy is planned beforehand. I study all tna time when ! am not playing. thet