The San Francisco call., 1910-07-10

stand me to mean that Mrs. Fiske is
one of those persons who regard
themselves as superior. and who must
remain aloof from the multitude. On
the contrary she is not. I should say.
sufficiently impressed with her great
Importance. It comes as news to her
to be told that Americas efforts to es-
tab1ish lofty. useful noble art of the
drama have no finer supporter than
she. The American stage is ornar
mented by her presence on il. elevated
by her work refined BY her spiritual
zeal and Frightened by her touch.
Not only as an actress has the per-
sonal work OF Minnie Maddern Fiske
been a factor in the development of
the best there is in native drama. Her
influence on others her activities as
manager and her capabilities as the
director of her own companies are
potent for good.
Take. for instance. the company
which surrounds her on the present
visit. Surely few stars would be will
ing TO engage so splendid an actor as
Holbrook Blinn to lead in her support:
fewer still would be willing to give to
leading man such play as Pillars
of Society," wherein the real star has
less to do. makes a less heroic figure
in the production and in the elfmac-
teric scene merely sits on like super.
But no. Mrs. Fiske does not sit like
super. Though she says nothing in
the final scene of pillars of So
ciety," she dominates 1t; rules it. and
as she sits while Bernick unburdens
his soul of the hypocrisies and sham
and cant of 15 dreary years. she. as
Iona, sits there and exults at his vic
tory. and is as the sun which shines
on the places it beauties. However.
T dare say that there are not many
actresses who would permit their
leading man so superb. chance as
Mrs .Fiske grants to Blinn in Ibsen's
great play. Incidentally. L might add.
few actors In America or Europe could
meet the demands so spIendidly as
does Holbrook Blinn.
AIRS. FIsKE was among the very
MI first to work for a rounded per-
1'A formance. and frown on the
star system
When she was but Is years of age
she appeared at the head of her own
company, she told me. That was in
May. 1882, and the play was "Fogg's
Ferry" Then followed Caprice" In
Spite of ALL in which she had the
support of Richard Mansfield: and
.sFeatherbrain.' supported by Wilton
Lackaye.
That spirit of youth which she ex-
hibited in those days is one of the
most fascinating features of her ma
tured representations. She can be
very blithe and merry.
At the age OF % she married Har4
rison Grey Fiske. For three years
after her marriage she lived quietly.
busying herself with her books and
writing.
During these years OF retirement
she wrote several plays. The Rose
played by the late Felix Norris and
the Lyceum company; Not Guilty.
accepted by the Kendals: "Fonteneue."
played by James O'Neill; Common
Clay comedy of American life; sew
eraI plays written for the lamented
Rosina Vokes, and Countess Rou-
dine" written in collaboration with
Paul Kester. She also produced soms
translations and adaptations.
There is strain OF melancholy
running through much OF Mrs. Fiskes
work. though it is whimsical witty.
sparkling with humor. "A Light from
St. Agnes .deepens into the gloom of
ragedy when in 1898 at matinee
for charity Mrs. Fiske consented to
appear as Nora in Ibsen's Dolls
House her success was so inspiring
that 1t determined her to return to the
stage.
In her first tour as Mrs. Fiske. she
used "a Dolls House." ~Caeserine.
..Divorcons'' and Marie Deloche." In
her second season. when she produced
Tess" she captured New York. estab-
fishing her footing unassailably- In
looking over the large mass Of criti-
cisms in regard to Tess one is inn
pressed with the universal tribute of
praise which was accorded to Mrs.
Fiske-the recognition of the power.
pathos. the beauty and the authority
of her portrayal
20. if Mrs. Fiske shows little IN
clination to plunge into print with
- self-expressed opinions about her
work and herself. we may easily con-
sole ourselves by a glance at the great.
nobility of her work. which speaks for
itself. and at the high excellence OF
her art. which calls for admiration and
discourages criticism
She stones for poor monologue or
the stage by some of the most perfect
performances on it that the American
theater has ever witnessed. On the