Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-12
THE THEATE R.
New National Thsater.

The appearance of Mr. Richard Mans
field In Peer Gynt" was long-expected
event. This notable work of one OF the
worlds most remarkable poets has been
but scantily studied by American readers.
and its performance on a complete ana
elaborate a scale Is another evidence OF
Mr.. Mansfield's scholarship and deter
mined artistic initiative. 1t is a work
well worthy of a students repertory
and its presentation, for general beauty
and sufficiency ranks side by side with
anything that this eminent artist and
producer has placed before the public.
Peer Gynt" is a fairy play; not the
light and buoyant creation that the term
would naturally seem to imply, but
a stern. incorporating fairy play.
fairies are differently exploited, ac-
cording to national temperament. In
the smiling atmosphere of Italy Har-
lequin made genial interference in the
affairs of men, and. assisted by. Clown,
Pantaloon and Columbine Lives in many
lands unto this day. But the journey north
ward is journey toward the mountains
rious thing. and where thoughts grow
rugged and stern like the landscape. The
German stage-fairies are philosophers or
religious instructors In Norway they
pick allegory 1t is poem more than
q drama. 1t holds slight appeal to the
human sympathies, but strikes straight
and true for the intelligence. 1t is an
argument for the simple virtues both in
national and in personal existence, and
warning against the illusions of tenn
poral ambition. There Is little to stir
the auditor to demonstrative manifesto
ton, despite the wealth of material to
stimulate thought and awaken admira-
ton. Peer Gynt" is not a hero, but
cOldly drawn type. The emotions are
subordinated to the understanding, and
ha magnificent ina pinfnpc of
the skill of the player and the artistry
of the producer are all concentrated with
uncomprOmising directness upon the au-
thor's phflOsophic purpose.
The performance is one of the most COM
plete that Mr.. Mansfield, in all his varied
career as producer, has ever offered. Not
only IS 1t splendidly staged in the mechan-
ical sense of the phrase, but it is we'll acted.
Every character is represented with fidelity
to the poetic intent of the work. The per-
Torrance of Emma Dunn as Ase presents
fine Characterization: one which cOnsti-
tutes a very essential element in the excel
lence of the performance as an entirety. 1t
is Ase that sounds the one note of simple
and consistent humanity; she is the sole in
dividual type in group of grotesque per-
Sonifications. Miss Adelaide Nowak as
Solveig gave an effective Interpretation and
Mr.. Arthur Forrest gave the role of the
button molder the impressiveness to be ex-
pected from an actor of his often-demon-
strated proficiency.
Mr.. Mansfield as the central character of
this strange play finds opportunity to dis
play numerous phases of his many-sided
art. AS the boy, hayward and unrestrained;
as the young man beset by perplexities, as
the grasping and prosperous cosmopolite of
middle years and as the weak and shattered
old man he presents series of mastery
portraitures, each a eliminating result of
his studies in previous productions. The
effects of lighting and stage mechanism are
marvellous and every stage picture is a
work or splendid completeness. 1t is. in its
magnitude of conception and perfection OF
detail a representation OF most remarkable
and memorable quality. Greigs music,
which is so closely associated in its in
SEPARATION with Ibsen, is used through the
play, but was not very effectively rendered
last night. At the conclusion Of the per-
Torrance Mr.. Mansfield responded to a cur
tain call.