The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-08-03
!ITTLE-TATTLE
 FROM THE RIALTO Ala Nazimova's Love of the Parts Which Have Now Made Her Famous.
ADMIRER OF RISEN.
Theatrical People Preparing for the Coming Win
 ter's Work.

The Theater Magazine for August contains characteristic interview with Mme. Ala Nazimova, who has many warm friends and admirers in this city. In speaking of the roles which have given her fame she says:
 T studied Hedda for four years, and when at last I played her 1t was like bearing child. That is what Hedda Gabler seems to me, a child I have borne."
 You love her, perhaps, as you would a child?"
 T love the role of Hedda, but Hedda Gabler is not lovable woman. The Comtesse Coquette Is not difficult role. cannot say to you that this bit of acting or that is harder, for they are all alike easy. I had seen the play and when I was very tired with play ing Hedda, and with Nora in The Dolls House, which was also difficult though not so exhausting as Hedda, I needed a part which to play would be like resting. had never played the Comtesse Coquette, but the play was so very brilliant that I rehearsed it for three weeks, and we are playing it to very nice audiences The Com- tesse Coquette is not unusual nor com plex. She Is a universal type in high society and so easy that she is-what do you say when a thing Is most easy and nice, your litle short American word?7
 "Snap?" I hazarded.
 "Yes, yes" Delight showed in smil- ing lips, sparkling eyes and clasped hands. "A snap she repeated. That is it. The Comtesse Coquette is a snap"
 Ever since I can remember I have wanted to be an inspiration to men and women and children. l wanted to inspire all met to do their best.'
 Then Hedda Gablers desire to infIu- ence John Lovborg, even though her influence was bad one is clear to your
 T understand it, yes, but do not share it. She wished to influence one person wholly to be a power In John Lovborgs life. Not Tesman's, he was too little Not everyone; just one. I have wanted to inspire everyone. When I came to this country with Orleneff we brought very poor players with us. 1 worked woth them, filled them with the spirit of ambition to do their best trained them, coached them, taught them to think as their characters thought, and when we gave our plays the critics said of the company, What excellent actors. They were not ex- cellent actors. They were bad"
 Mime. Nazmova has played with at least one or more indifferent American actors. Would she compare the bad Russian actor with the bad American actor? Suavely she declined with an Iamazing ingenious excuse. am very nearslghted. So near sighted that while you sit there not four feet from me l canpnt distinguish your features Your face Is to me only spot of light So when I am on the stage I cannot see whether an actors tacial expressions are good or bad.
 Please do not think I am pose when tell you that it does not matter to mo how they act act alone. My imagination pictures the way they should be acting and respond in my playing to that conception" TO an expression of surprise that the interviewer had encountered unique player, one who didn't care whether she was played up to or not, who was as calm when she was dramatically unfed as fed, Mime. Ala smRed
 Tt is so. My imagination pictures all I would have. So far as the influence upon me of other actors is concerned play absolutely alone, l and my imagination are sufficient. But It Is hard, o very" and for the first time the human exotic we have taken to our dramatic bosoms looked weary
 My ideal woman is Hilda in The Master Builder She was to the architect what woman should be to man, the man sle has chosen, his inspiration. Most women do not want to be mans inspiration, They want to be his wife. the mother of his chill IuIGut III Ollt NOlbb Hlo NOllliOAbs w Jlit7 en of the type of Hilda are a mans overlapping companions. profoundly admire Ibsen. To por- tray his characters one must think, think think l have never thought of playing a Shakespeare part" "Why?"
 "Because I do hot feel his heroines as do Ibsen's and many others"
 But you might easily look Juliet.
 "Ah, but looks are of the least con- sequence if one can feel and express what one feels. Your charming Maude 1 Adams played Juliet and was not suc- cessful 'Why?' 1 have asked, Be- cause she played not-Juliet but Maude 1 Adams. She made Juliet a modern, 1 I have been answered. That Is what l should do, make Juliet modern. The old romantic plays I have done, but | l have been bad, Some time, perhaps may play Cleopatra, but she Is not an ancient"