The Washington herald., 1908-03-22
The BeIasco-Mme. Nauimovn.

When Nine. Nazimoya, the eminent
Russian actress. comes to the Belasco
Theater this week she will be seen as
Nora in "A Dolls House" and as Hedda
Gabler. two of her most famous Ibsen
roles. The actress viii also present Owen
Johnsen's new three-act play. The Com
e." in which she was seen during her
recent long run at the Bljou Theater.
New York. where for two corsecutiveIy
successful seasons she held the stage
presenting her Ibsen repertoire and sew
eral modern plays. y mistress OF the art
Of makeup, she is able to transform her
self according to the needs OF her differ
ent roles. SO that in 'Hedda Gabler" and
in The Comet" she appears taII. mys-
terious. commanding figure while as
Nora. the doll-wife. she shows us
fragile. birdlike being. the very opposite
OF her other roles. Nine Nazimova
makes Nora 1--we before US emotionally. In
all her charm. and with the caressing ar
feetion OF the primitive and gracious fem
inine animal. She is 10 the life the squir-
rel-like. cvasive. capricious creature.
awakening later TO strong self-assertive
womanhood. One sees the gradual growth
Of her spiritual self One follows step by
step her progress TO emancipation.
In Hedda the actress presents another
type Of woman. a discontented, Irresolute
creature, who is affected by mental
lethargy that completely blocks her prog
ress. She has thrown off the shackles OF
the old-fashioned woman. but has not
sufficient energy to advance toward any
particular goal and so she feels herself
fn no sfpf no tfoo n tho v-orII
Quite on a par with these two fascinat-
ing feminine characters Is Iona. in ''The
Comet" a Spanish actress and woman Of
the world. whose life struggle has re-
suited In deadening her emotions, but IN
whom the flame Of revenge still hickers
and burns. OF her desire for vengeance
and its results Mr.. Johnson tells us in
an absorbing thTee-act drama in which the
interest never lags until the fall of the
curtain. Nine NazimOva has now mas
tered English perfectly. so that all her
plays are given in English and under her
personal stage direction. In these widely
varying character studies local playgoers
viii have an opportunity to enjoy the won
derful versatility that has made her one
OF the greatest, II not actually the great
est. English-speaking actresses OF our
time. In the support OF Nine. Nazimova
there viii be seen Miss Gertrude Berke-
ley. Miss Florence Fisher. Mrs. Jacques
Martin. Miss Violette Hil! Miss Gladys
Hulette. Miss Evelyn Welding. Mr.
Brandon lyman (whO has been loaned for
Nine. Nazimovas tour by Mr. David
Belasco), Mr.. Dodson Mitchell. and Mr.
John Emerson.
The arrangement of the weeks pro-
gramme Is as follows: Monday. Tuesday
and Wednesday nights and Wednesday
matinee. ~ Dolls House," Thursday and
Friday nights and Saturday matinee,
"Hedda GsbIer." and on Saturday night.
for one performance only. "The Comet"
The Academy-"Me, Him, and l."
The second edition of Me. Him. and l.
Hurtig & seamons successful musical
comedy. starring that trio Of quaint CO.
medians, Wrothe, Watson. and Arlington.
which comes TO the New Academy to-
morrow night. might bear the subtitle a
Trip 10 the Klondyke." since the story
has to do entirely with the efforts Of an
assorted band of prospectors and adven-
turers to reach the Northwestern FL
Dorado It starts at Seattle. the general
Quitting point OF most Of the Alaskan
gold seekers, is continued on the deck Of
a yacht en- voyage 20 the Yukon, and
concludes in Dawson City, where, after
many amusing adventures. the principals
strike il rich.' either in gold or love, as
the case may be. Among the characters
are wealthy Westerner. the Hon. Hiram
Rolia- who has planned to marry his
daughter Costa to an English lord. but
the young lady. being an independent
American girl. declines TO contract any
thing but love match. Moreover. the
Englishman is romantieallv inclined and
wishes TO win wife without reference TO
his title. Therefore. he introduces him
self 10 the Rollas as the manager OF a
theatrical company en- route TO the Klon-
dyke and carries on his courtship in
cognito. ''Swirlwater Willie" the sporty
son and heir Of the Hen. Hiram. also
has love affair with Margery Gold. but
is first obliged to free himself from
highly emotional actress" one Vera
Hartburn. with whom he has been firt-
ing There is also the odd romance of
Seattle sal and Klondyke Charlie two
Western types; and, mingling In all these
love affairs. are the three merry hoboes
impersonated by Wrothe, Watson. and
Arlington. There is continuous laughter
every minute they are on the stage. from
the moment they make their first en-
trance on a stolen hand car TO the faIl OF
the final curtain, which finds them fairly
sprinkled with gold dust.