Los Angeles herald., 1910-11-24
NNIMOVA CAPTIVATES
BY EMOTIONAL MASTERY
Actress and Company at Majestic
Interest Audience by Mirror
ing of Tortured Soul

Nora Helmer is one of Nazimova's
greatest characterizations for 1t gives
her vast opportunities to mirror tor
tured soul and to run the gamut of
human emotions. But Nora Helmer
never has seemed to the writer, usual.
Rather is she an exception: a girl
woman whose development was arrest
ed If, as many declare, Nora Helmer
is absolutely human and that lbsen's
merciless scalpel exposes feminine
traits which are known to few but the
possessors, it seems to the writer that
Nora has been placed in such unusual
environments that she appears excep-
tional. 1t is for this reason that "A
Dolls House"-called by some Ibsen's
masterpiece - never has appealed
strongly to me.
There are those who enjoy Ibsen's
dramas. In last nights audience at
the Majestic there were many who en-
joyed Nazimova infinitely more than
Ibsen. One usually studies rather than
enjoys Ibsen: thinks about what his
characters say and do, rather than ap-
plauds their actions and utterances, or
the acting of the portrayers. If the ac-
tors be clever enough one gets double
value-mental exhilaration andocular
pleasure. OF Nazimovas performance
may the last be said.
Several years ago the writer saw
Nazimova in g. clever little French
comedy-almost a farce. She por-
trayed a Nora without the dreadful
consequences. Nazimova has taken
the essence of her clever comedy and
has injected it into her portrayal of
Nora. Nazimova makes one feel the
glory Of thoughtless happiness, of ideal
| love in the first few fieeting moments
of "a ] )lPs House." But the happi-
ness is soon lost, for the tissue of de-
ceit from which Nora's character is
made, soon is shown. From that mo-
ment until the end comes, when the
house is no longer a home and when
the divorce mills grinding is heard
| family, one feels an indefinable un
happiness. Can such play be real
| l. enjoyed?
Brandon Tynan's Therwald Helmer
is excellent, for he makes one feel the
| power commerce has over passion.
| Orlando DaIys Doctor Rank is gentle
and convincing but not compelling.
William Hasson seems i'll at ease and
hardly up to the role of Nils Krogstad.
Others in the cast are acceptable.
S. o.
Leila Burton Wells new military
play, THE Case OF Sergeant Wilde" at
the Belasco theater last Monday night,
is attracting capacity audiences night
ly. A Thanksgiving matinee Will be
given today.
A special Thanksgiving matinee of
'"The Spring Chicken" VIII be given
this afternoon. 1.-THE Office Boy'
will be the bill for next week beginning
Sunday matinee.
Countess Thamara De Swirsky will
make her last appearance at the Au-
dtorium tomorrow afternoon. The or
chestra, under direction of Henry Ohl-
meyer, which was one of the features
of Tuesdays performances, will again
be heard.
There will be eight acts on the Los
Angeles bill next week. The stellar at
traction will be the Carl Panther trio
of acrobats and contortionists. Rice
and Provost, In an acrobatic comedy
act; La Belle Meeker, the physical
culture maid; Nat Leffingwell and his
company offering their comedietta "A
Night at Lodge; John and Bertha
Gleeson, with Fred Houlihan in pat
ter, songs and dances; Harry Bloom,
songster, and Bea VerVera, the Ital-
ian nightingale, with new comedy mo-
tion pictures will complete the bill.
Hundreds of people have been in
tensely interested in studying at close
range the chimpanzee, Alfred the
Great There are but two Of these
curious simians before the public. One,
"Charles, the tIrst," is at the winter
quarters of the Barnum & Bailey cir
Gus. The other, alfred, the Great"
is at Pantages this week but ill close
his engagement Sunday night.
William Faversham will be at Ham
burgers Majestic theater next week for
the first time in three years. His last
appearance here was in 1.-THE Squaw
Man." and this year he has a drama
that is diametrically opposite, "The
World and His Wife" This play deals
with gossip and it's consequences. Mr..
Faversham is accompanied by his beau
tiful wife, known to the stage as Julie
OPP, who has never before appeared
on the coast but who is we'll known in
England and the eastern states.
"Texas" will be next weeks bill
at the Burbank, following "A Grand
Army Man" This is a new play to Los
Angeles, but it is said to be a western
| drama of the same type as owen Wis
ters famous story of the plains, 1.-THE
Virginian."
Ellen Terry, the famous English act
ress, will be seen at the Auditorium for
a single performance next Monday
night. She will present "Shakespeare's
Heroines." Seats are now selling.
Pavlowa and Mordkin, said to be the
most artistic ballet dancers in the
world. will appear at the Auditorium
for four nights and one matinee be-
ginning Wednesday night, November
80. Seats are now on sale at the Audi
torium box office.
'The Fortune Hunter will conclude
&C. ,.lz o1INOnsEfI11 nnQ1 cement
at the Mason opera house Saturday
| ninht Matinaes will he given this af-