The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-03-27
NAzIHOVA ACHIEVES
NOTABLE TRIUMPH
Her Impersonatian of Hedda
Gabler Dramatic Mas
terpiece.
Tie Cast.

SSoI4S 4esilall. John Emerson
Judge BraCk. D0deou NItcbeIl
Inert i<os Dor s-----.- Brandon lyman
- To- Es4ts-e1--.- Florence Fisher
Miss Juiiana Tesman.. Mrs. Jacques Martin
lS11tiiil- Gertrude Berkeley
Hedda Tcsman.- Nine. Nazimova
In a never-tO-b forgotten impersona-
ton Of Ibsen's "Hedda Gabler'' at the
Belasco Theater last night, Nine. Ala
Nazimova established beyond all ques-
ton her right 10 a position of proud
emlnence among actresses Of the pres
ent day Her technique was at all times
superb, and the higher art aud subtler
power OF carrying conviction 10 her
audience never failed. In many re-
spects il was one Of the most remark
able performances a washington audi
ence has ever Witnessed.
'Hedda Gabler" is familiar to most
patrons Of the theater. for it has been
a favOrite play with al actresses who
have interpreted or attempted 10 inter-
pref dramas OF the Ibsen school. As a.
dramatic Offering # diffe1l in many re-
spects from everything else the great
Norwegian wrote. It cannot be said
that it points any particular moral.
such as is 10 be found IN Ghosts" or
''Rosmersholm." nor is there to be dis
covered in IL any rebellion against the
existing social conditions. such as is seen
reflected IN "a Dolls House" or THE
Pillars OF Society" Hedda Gabler IS
rather the study Of q single character.
but q. study so profound and so master
/ ful that every attribute stands out in
/ bold relief. And yet the whole IS knit
! together so wonderfully that the i'm
preston is one Of the most striking IN
all dramatic literature. It is useless 70
attempt 70 enlarge upon the cowardice,
/ the Jealousy. the alI-consumIng discon-
I tent. the longing for earthly happiness
Of this creation Of Ibsen's brain; and OF
her lack OF courage to grasp that happj-
{ ness even when she believes she knows
( where IL IS 10 5e had. The whole has
been set forth by the poet in one Of his
masterpieces of character delineation.
That Nine. Nazim0va succeeded in
creating this character in the flesh Is
/ an achievement of which but few &C
tresses OF the present day can boast.
All the haunting mystery, the weird
fascination, the soul-bitterEess, and the
gripping tragedy OF the role were por-
trayed with force and conviction that
made the play a throbbing reality.
Nine. Nazimova has the faculty not
merely OF giving the audience the i'm
, preston that she is oblivious OF every
. thing except the shadow world or tbs
| stage, but she succeeds in making the
| spectators equally oblivious.
Every information Of her remarkably
1 flexible voice, every sinuous movement,
| every glance from eyes which seemed q
| conceal within their black depths vol
canoes Of wrath, scOrn, hatred, fear,
| passion. and revenge; every step as she
/
room with her arms now tense and now
| stretched forth as though trying to
| grasp something which she knew was
| beyond her reach. every CLINT from her
| teeth beneath close-draWn lips OF fiery
/ red, all these told Of the character OF
| Hedda, the creature Of Ibsen's magma
/ tive genius.
| Not the least noteworthy feature OF
1 the performance was the wonderful
art displayed by Nine. Nazlmoya IN her
/ makeup. After seeing her in - Doll
| House" in which she appeared as the
1 dimiEutiVe. chlldlike, VlVaCtOus, lever
/ tshly agile Nora, II was almost lncon-
! ceiVable that this sOmber, tail, tragic
| figure. with long, taperins fingers, with
| a neck OF unbelievable length, and with
/ a voice OF great SmOOJhnesS and musical
| timbre should be one ana the same.
| "Hedda Gabler' is by no means an
/ entertainment in the sense that musical
| comedy and farce entertain, IL -
! gloomy, and depressing from beginning
/ 10 end, bat as a character study and as
/ an artistic and dramatic treat It takes
! rank with the greatest roles OF stage
/ history.
| The supporting company redeemed Il
| self for its unsatisfactory work in "A
| Dolls House" Brandon lyman gave A
| wonderful Interpretation Of the role OF
! Eilert Lovborg. His last act, in which
! ne confeSses that he has destroyed the
| manuscript OF his new book, is a bit Of
| impassiOned OratoFY worthy OF the
highest praise. His performance through
/ out was distinguished by a dramatic
fervor which accorded admirably with
! the poetic eXigencies OF the character.
/ His final Outburst OF woe portrayed the
! soul torture OF the man who had great
| ness within his grasp, and who had
| thrown il away for physical appetite.
| John EmersOn's TeSman was interesting
| and illuminative, and furnished the
| one touch OF comedy in the play. Miss
! Florence Fisher was attractive and pic
| turesdue IN the role of Mrs. Eivsted,
! and won the sympathy OF her audience.
! pOdsOn MitchelTs work as Judge BracE
! did not measure up TO the other imper-
| sonations. "Hedda Gabler" viii be re-
/ 7eated tonight and at the matinee to-
| morrow. The only performance OF The
] Comet will he given tomorrow night.