Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-01
IBSEN AND SHAW,
FISKE AND WINTER

MYTH Harry Mestayer and a special
wv cast preparing to give two matt
nee performances of Ghosts at
the Burbank theater this week we may
look for a revival of the old discussion
invariably precipitated wherever and
whenever this play is produced. Ghosts
is a tremendously powerful drama. So
much must be admitted even by those
critics who inveigh most strongly against
its stage presentation.
Ibsen is no believer in what a great
painter once termed "shimmerettes." He
is the Verestchagin of the stage It never
occurs to him to drape his figures, even
in the fiimsiest of gauze His pen is a
scalpel skilfully directed against the ills
Of society. 1t follows necessarily that his
pictures, though they may be truthful,
often are repulsive.
The crux of the matter involves the
proper scope of dramatic criticism, o
subject which is now in controversy be-
tween William Winter dramatic editor of
the New York Tribune, and Harrison
Grey Fiske, theatrical manager and ed
itor of the Dramatic Mirror. This dis
pute arose through Mr.. Winters publi-
cation in the Tribune of a decidedly
caustic and obviously prejudiced review
of Nine. Kalich's production OF Percy
Mackaye's poetical drama. "Sappho and
Phaon.' to which Mr.. Fiske. Mrs. Ka-
nch's manager. issued a retort courteous
Then followed several further contribu-
tions from Mr.. Winter. both relevant and
irrelevant; and finally, in the current
Mirror, reply from Mr.. Fiske. in which
he includes this pertinent and pregnant
paragraph:
HE CMr. Winter) misconceives the
purpose of dramatic criticism utterly
hopelessly confusing the duties of the
reviewer with those of the moralist. His
Intentions may be good, but they are in
appropriate to his office"
There, in little, is the point of the en-
tire matter. Naturally the critics first
tendency is to resent any dicta that tend
to curtail the field of his activities How
ever. Mr.. F'iske is himself an able dra-
matte reviewer as well as an astute man
ager. Doubtless he has regarded the mat
ter from both viewpoints, and certainly
his conclusion merits careful considera-
tion.
AS to the meanings of Ibsen, George
Bernard Shaw once said:
Having been invited to addresse the Fa-
bian club on the subject of Ibsen's plays
I have had to make up my mind what
they mean. Perhaps the distinguished
Norwegian will not agree with my con-
illusions, but it doesn't necessarily fol-
low that because man writes a play he
knows what it is about"
The quotation is from memory, without
any pretense of being exact as to word
ing. Just what Mr.. Shaws conclusions
were you may learn. if you like. by read
ing his address, which may be found in
the public library.
Ibsen, of course, is strong food for
young stomachs, likely to cause a curious
sort of mental indigestion. There is.
however, much truth in the bon mot
quoted in these columns some time ago:
''The jeune file of today is by no means
a jeune fool"
California players who pass most of
their time in and around New York and
who have organized the Golden Gate
club. plan to open club rooms in that
city. To aid the club finances 1t has
been decided to give a special matinee
performance of a play by a California
playwright on a California subject. to
be presented by California players and
preferably in a theater managed by a
native son of California j. j. McClos-
key, author of ACROSS the Pacific and
numerous other plays. has been selected
TO write the piece, which will be designed
to present portrait in dramatic form of
the early goldensdays in the Golden State.
Among the honorary members of the club
are David Belasco. Lolita Crabtree, David
Warfeld, Emily Thorn and others.