Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-16
OtoToWn People May Shop aFm Washington Stores eadte Bargains 7mSaT
THE THEATE r.
Belasco.

I'm the leading role of Ibsen's celebrated
problem play, "A Dolls House." as pre-
sented at the Belasco Theater last night
Miss Charlotte Walker submitted her his
trionic abilities to a severe test and in a
Characterization unlike any in which she
has already distinguished herself. From
the pampered and prattling doll-baby wife
in the first instance to the deep sentiment
tally and seriousness. as given in the con-
Guiding scenes of the drama. when the
wife comes to a realization of her true
situation. Miss Walker displayed to a Won
derful degree that quality of versatility
that is the capital of great actress. That
her splendid Interpretation of the part of
Nora Heimer wife of Torvald Helmer.
manager of the Joint Stock Bank of
Sweden. was appreciated by the large audi
enCe, was testified to by the demonstrative
recalls and encores, and the great armful
of flowers she bore from the stage at the
conclusion of the great second act.
There a wide range of feeling and
much pathos between the young wife as
portrayed in the opening act. with her
childish love for her husband. and the sad
and emotional wife of the third act. when
she at last realizes that she has been
doll rather than a wife. There is also
much in the drama distinctly lbsenesque
that tells of real life conditions which tend
toward heart tragedies and the disruption
of the home circle. "A Dolls House is
regarded as a strong argument in favor OF
intelligent cOmpanionShip and affinity be-
tween man and wife, instead of regarding
married life as sort of child's play. with
the wife the central figure of a doll house
"a creature of whims and fancies to be
humored and petted, instead of being
treated the mans real life partner to
share his sorrows we'll as his joys, and
his business trials as well as his pleasures.
There is a strong moral interviewer be
tween the lines of this Ibsen drama, and
most cleverly. indeed. does Miss Walker de-
lineate the star role.
Nora Helmer, the petted wife. at last re-
allies. after she has made al sacrifices for
her husband. that the love she had expected
from him at the time she was under the
terrible strain of an accusation of forgery
for his sake was, after all, an affection
that could be rudely interrupted and torn
by his tauntS and rage when the time OF
the crucial test came. She awaited for the
performance of a miracle, but instead there
came a rude awakening-the realization
that after all she was but human being
and not the happy butterfly of dreamland
that the husband had made her believe she
was. Torn by emotion and haunted by
grim spectral figures in the future. her
wonted love for Torva!d Helmer became a
myth and took wings. and with the UNI
happy woman vanished from the former
scenes of her holiday gayeties and Joyous
ness, leaving in its wake unhappiness and
Woe.
Miss Walker in her portrayals from the
gddy young wife to the thoughtful and
somber woman in the changed life gave
evidence of a high order of intellectually
and versatility that marked her as one OF
the coming figures on the American stage.
Her charming personality was also again
seen to a splendid advantage. and her many
delightful ndividuaities contributed much
to the human interest in her role. Miss
W alker is actress of great Laturalness
and she assumes her characteriZatlons with
the ease and satisfying qualities of artists
many years her senior and of longer eX-
perence.
Miss Walker received excellent support
from Sydney c. Mather as the manager of
the Swedish bank. who was so much en-
crossed in the affairs of that institution
that he found but little time to give his
wife the consideration due her. and treated
her only as a plaything in his moments OF
relaxation. but. however. was finally COM
PEELED to drink his cup of woe to the very
dregs
Mr.. Edward Ellis gave an acceptable de-
lneation of the desperate Nils krOgStad,
who was endeaVOring to regain a lost repu-
ta.ion. MIR. Ellis suffered in comparison by
spea king in too low a voice for any one to
Ellis is too good an actor to permit low
pitched voice in his quiet style OF acting to
mar the dramatic effects of his work,
Guy Coombs. as DR.. Rank, the mutual
friend who confesses his love for the doll
baby wife: Miss Alice Butler. Mrs. Lin
den, Nora's friend; Miss Fanny Hartz, as
Ellen, the maid, and little Beatrice and
Catherine Hayden, as the Helmer children,
all enacted their several roles very well.
At the conclusion of the performance
Miss Walker the central figure of a re-
ception on the roof garden, where her nu-
merous friends warmly congratulated her
on her excellent work at her initial per-
Torrance at the head of the Beiasco Stock
Company and predicted for her great
things in the future.