Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-13

under the frost Of neglect. That Is why
she makes Hedda at present her chief
character. She is cqmpiete mistress Of all
the various articles that can be called In
to aid her art. She understands the value
OF a picture and knows exactly how to
arrange her limbs and their draperies so
as to present this picture. The Nazimova
gown may not be classic, but II is GER
tninly a great and important adjunct to
the Nazimova success as an actress. So,
also. the preparation of hands and face
and the use Of them. She understands Del
sarte and knows how to make her pRnto-
mime impressive. In fact, perhaps, the
most intense moments Of the madsm's life
on the stage are her silent moments. She
is not still. although not speaking. There
is a peculiar eloquence in her movement,
in her gesture, in her posture, in her look,
that conveys the thought more distinctly
than the spoken word possibly could.
II has been asked II Nazlmova is an
actress or a fad. The answer cannot be
given directly. She may be a fad in some
Of the roles she undertakes, but as Hedda
Gabler she is a great actress, and her
work I'm this role leaves an unsatisfied
longing to see her in other parts to which
her nature is adaptable.
During the week Miss Elliott has added
another worthy achievement TO her list.
This young woman. who is rapidly estab-
fishing herself as an artist Of the first
rank, set her mark well in advance Of
anything she has yet done by her pre-
sentatlop Of Salome, The role presents
many difficulties, both Psychological and
physical and the actress who undertakes
the part cannot approach it lightly. Miss
Elliott took it up as she has all her other
characters. in a very serious way, and has
made a most impressive study of a
peculiar part. salome has suffered very
much from prejudice due to the fact that
the death of an important religious per-
sonage is directly ascrlbed' to her. She
has also suffered very largely because of
her mothers reputation. This has been a
notable instance of the sin of the parents
being visited on the children. Oscar Wide
may lave thought of this when he wrote
this, his strong drama. At any rate, he
left ample room for clothing Salome with
attributes she has hitherto been denied.
Miss Elliott apparently diseerned this in
tention on the part of the author, and has
made her Salome a girl in all essential
regards. Salome, as she presents her,
- NAS 1865 AAALlOJn aDOul
to bloom into ~womanhood. She is
uncontaminated by the sensuality of the
court about her. She is wilful, disobedient,
headstrong and imperious. Just as a princess
Of that time doubtless was. She has little
apparent regard for the feelings Of those
about her. seeking chiefly to crafty her
own whims and pleasures, and yet Is not
altogether without heart. In demanding
the death Of John the Baptist she is merely
Following this natural bent. The death Of
a slave or an inferior was a matter Of
small consideration to the royal parsonage
OF that time, when the taste of the entire
public run to the bloody exhibitions of the
arena, and death was about as light a pun
ishment as was ever visited on an offender.
She had been attracted by this man-pos-
sibly a whim. possibly a physical Impulse,
but she had been denied by him and there
fore thwarted perhaps for the first time in
her life. SO her resolve that she would
have her own way with him was more the
outgrowth of pique than earnest desire.
1t so happened that Herod was willing to
promise rashly and she took advantage of
this promise. After she had danced and
had been paid her fee, then came the re-
morse and the regret of disappointment.
She had destroyed that which she cared
for and her own death was a Meter OF
little moment.
The story is told with great dramatic
force In language that is beautiful in its
Yondrous imagery and poetic periods and
Miss Elliott gives to these the dearest of
reading. Mr.. Ingraham's Herod is IN
keeping with the other work he has done
during the season and is an excellent bit
Of acting.