The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-17
ADJUSTMENTS

| Miss Jane Corcoran scores a decided
dramatic triumph in her Interpretation
of Nora one of the famous and IN
usual characters drawn by Ibsen an6
about which he wove the story called
| "A Dolls House." 1t was presented al
the Grand last night. Miss Corcorar
lis one of the youngest stars on the
American stage. Those few who had
the privilege of seeing her last night
| in the most trying of parts must agree
that she has wonderful talent. And
the standard she sets in this remark
able role is a high one, an exceedingly
high one-higher in fact than that
which is generally reached by the
prominent actresses who essay to play
| it. Many of her efforts approach the
sublime.
And this character of "Nora"-it is as
startling a piece Of writing as has been
done i'll century. 1t sweeps away with
enormous swaths from the characters
of conventional womanhood. In drawing
Nora" the brilliant Norwegian Great
ed a woman, the playthfng of hus-
band, swayed by his every impulse. a
slave to his every desires. She comes
to understand that she has been but a
"doll' and playing a dolls life and she
frees herself from it.
When the husband, with whom she
had lived for eight years and for whom
she bore two children. fails to reach
teh height of her ideal, she frees her
self from the marital yoke in declara-
ton Of independence. Her husband
fails to grasp the magnitude of the
sacrifice of which his wife Is capable.
and in the husbands limits Ibsen found
opportunity for the adornment Of the
play.
TO save his health and life and to
obtain the money to do so, the wife
FORCES her fathers name to note
which turns up in the hands of an un-
scrupulous man. The note proves her
und Ding, as she had hidden the knowl-
edge of it from her husband, the man
she ought to and did benefit by 1t.
When her act has been made clear to
him. he casts her off only to take her
back, when the danger of exposure has
passed. But when her husband de-
clined to assume the responsibility for
expected him to do, she realized his
limitations, saw clearly his selfish ma
ture and in a stormy scene declared
herself to be free of him. The miracle,
as she so termed her husbands expect
ed act of responsibility, did not take
place and in her disappointment in the
man she gave him up and left him and
her children as we'll.
There is hardly a possible gamut of
human passion through which Ibsen
does not draw this unusual type or
woman. And the portrayal OF the part
in a satisfactory manner calls Tor re-
markabIe dramatic talent. Miss Cor
coran demonstrates that she has the
tal6nt demanded IOT d pTOpOI VI CSCill6-
ton of the role and this places her In
the front rank Of the emotional act
resses of the day.
Her supporting company Is excellent,
the work of James M. Brophy, as the
husband, being remarkably fire. Frank
r Hersome, as Doctor Rank"
friend Of the family. Is also an excellent
actor.
There was hardly handful of per-
sons in the house to enjoy this theatre
cal treat Many, who were there. ex-
pressed disappointment in the play as
Countless folks do with about every one
Of the unusual plays Ibsen has written,
but there surely could have been no
one there who did not recognize in Miss
-orcoran an actress of wonderful capa-
bilitieS.
A beautiful and talented star. a
strong and novel drama, g1fted ana
we'll balanced company-such are the
pleasing prospects embodied In the an,
that Amelia Bingham Will
be seen in "a Modern Lady Godiva' at
The Grand on Friday night. Miss Bing-
ham is always welcome visitor to TINS
city and it is with qualification that
he declaration is made that this sea-
son she has the strongest and most
original play in which she has yet ap- |
oeared. 1t is new in theme and fnd1- |
5idual in development and Miss Bing- !