New-York tribune., 1907-11-14
THE DRAMA.
MRS. CAMPBELL AS HEDDA GABLER.
Lyric Theatre,

Another clinic was held at the Lyric Theatre
last night. and the sad of Hedda Gabler
investigated. The persOnation Of that morbid in
valid whether by Mrs. Campbell or anybody else.
is unimportant. The better such part is played
the more reprehensibe is the playing OF II. An
actress who manifest remarkable talent in
such a character commits offence against dra-
matte art when she assumes it. because she is mis-
using, in the portrayal Of diseased condition, the
faculties that should be devoted to the services OF
heathfu art. Mr.. Ibsen has been extoIled for hav-
ing presented commonplace subjects and persons.
II to do that In commonplace manner is 10 be
great dramatist. then the Norwegian pessirnist is
great; not otherwise. There is no impairment Of
truth in the works Of Mr.. Ibsen that had not been
made. in incomparably finer manner. both in
verse and prose, before he born. There
various impartments In his works that true
only Of abnormal persons-fit subjects for the con-
sulting room or the operating table; not for the
Theatre. Mr.. Ibsen declared 1t to be his business
TO ask unpleasant questions: not to answer them.
He was mistaken. 1t is the business of the intel
lect TO lead and to help mankind No human be
ing, arrived the age Of discretion. needs nfor-
nation as TO the weakness and depravity Of which
human nature Is capable: If such need existed for
such person. the daily news would satisfy IL.
Every human being, on the other hand. does need.
and usually Graves. stimulation toward virtue and
beauty in the conduct of life That incentive IS
not found In the works OF Mr.. Ihsen For the lover
of the stage there be better counsel than
the counsel TO avoid Mr.. Ibsen and his disciples.
everywhere and always. If the votary OF the Thea
ire viii insist observing the Crank Drama at
first hand, let him consider what Mr. Ibsen's desc
late pronouncements are. and what the expositions
are that his advocates make OF them II will then
be discovered that the Ibsen deverances may mean
almost anything. and that HIS apostles naturally,
are in fog Here is on example:
In her manipulation of the manuscript through
out this scene she CIme. Nazlmova) departed from
lbSens intentions, but such spIeHddlv imaginative
"dy that 1 am sure he would have forgiven her"
So says Mr.. William Archer.
NJ. William Archer opened my eyes to the rGIae
Of little thing in Hedda Gabler' that purely
matter Of accident I had always hidden Lovborg's
manuscript under sofa pillow. but at this per-
formance. Mr.. Blair came in sooner than
pected and L could not reach the pillow in time.
So thrust the manuscript under my wrapper and
held it against my breast. But when Mrs. Elvsted
day though you had killed a little child the
thought OF caspng dead child filed me with
such horror that my hands shrauk from the touch
of the manuscript, and 1t fell the floor. Luckily
l was able 20 cover II with my wrapper. and the
scene was saved. thought Of &C. tiH Mr.
4rcker spoke Of as greatest moment in the play
So says Nine. Nazimova.
What genius! What discernment! What utter
nonsensei
Mrs. Campbell, far she has yet disclosed
herself actress is expositor Of the abnor-
NAL. offensive. and repulsve woman. The manner
OF her acting. since II Is and little, does not
signify. The plays in which she chooses to appear
are, almost without exception, disgTaceful TO the
stage. She can be at the Lyric Theatre until
next Saturday night. If you wish to study abnor-
mai persons and had social conditions. go to the
Lyric. this week. If you seek good acting in good
plays. go elsewhere. W. W.