The San Francisco call., 1908-05-24
"A DOLLS HOUSE :
WELL PRESENTED
Ibsen's Plea for Emancipation Of
Women Portrayed by
Katherine Grey
Farewell Matinee Audience Is a
Notable One, Composed
Mostly Of Women
CAST OF CHARACTERS
In Ibeen's play
a DOIF's House"
By Walter Anthony

For 80 years Ibsen's "a Dolls House
has been in existence. plea for the
emancipation of woman, and yesterday
afternoon the Novelty theater was
crowded when Katherine Grey and her
company OF associate players produced
the uncanny play 1t is notable that
the big audience was composed almost
entirely of women. The few men there
seemed as i'll at ease and out or place
as male intruders of a dress maker
busy moments.
"A Dolls House is mot new to San
Francisco, it having been PLAYED by
Mrs. Fiske Blanche Bates and or
course Florence Roberts: yet its appeal
to the writer was as ambiguous, ufl-
certain and untruthful as ever. There
may be kind of maternity which
turns its back on it's offspring. but !
am, fortunately, not acquainted with
that kind, and the introduction or II
on the stage, is to me, at least,
gratuitons offense, for which / should
hate to have to pay.
Nora, as played by Miss Grey, was as
consistent a character as was consist
ent, and she had some rarely effective
moments. If Ibsens sthesis, were sac-
eepted. If a woman who had been but
a doll in her own home, who had Forged
ITO secure money to save her husband
life, and finally after eight years or
married life with him, could leave her
little ones sleeping tucked up in their
beds, In order to go out into the world
and expand and learn about law, So
ciety and religion--if In short there be
such woman In Norway or elsewhere,
then Katherine Grey surely acted as
that person would have acted or did
act And that from my point of view
speaks more for Miss Greys excellent
technic than for her judgment In select
ing the role.
Harrison. Hunter is dangerous man
IN 9 stock company headed by rising
star; for he has a habit of "hogging'
any scene in which he appears. As
Nils Krogstad yesterday afternoon he
played the only character which /, for
one, could recognize. He was an ex-
ceedingly human villain and the one
real person In the drama Thorwaid
Helmer was given vivid portrayal by
Robert Warwick. who brought to the
audience person of infinite egofism
and o'ertoppling -complacence. ALI
fred Hickman did the surgeon with an
imperfect spins ana made Ihsenss sympr
tonic speeches ahont an inherited mall
ady as plain as 4 d Doctors diagnosis
and quite as interesting and diverting.
Miss Elaine Davis made her debut in
the company, playing the role of the
maid with excellent presence and good
and she has the advantage of youth
and good looks. Although her small
part afforded but little chance for the
display Of histrionic talent she made
the most of her opportunities and
should create for herself a success in
her chosen profession, Her career will
be watched with interest by San Fran
ciscans. Ina Hammers Interpretation
of the role of Mrs. Linden was quite on
/ a par with her. best work of this season.
She is finished and confidently COM
petent actress. Whatever Ibsen meant
her to be in the play@yesterday she was
Last night the play was repeated and
closed the company's local engagement
which has been an extremely profitable
and interesting one. 1t will leave tc
San Francisco. .theater. goers memories
of the best all round cast, that. has
visited us since--well, since before the
big fire.