New-York tribune., 1919-12-28
Mimi Aguglia Admires
American Audiences.
But Swears by Italy

Using the English language for the
first time in her life on the stage, Nine
Mimi Asuglia, who opened in "Thc
Whirlwind" at the Standard Theatre last
week came off with flying colors in her
fiawless delivery of what is to her a
strange tongue There was little about
her to suggest the foreigner except her
gestures She is startlngly like
Nazimova. Hundreds of times in her
life she has been taken for the screen
star, she confessed when seen in her
dressing room after the play. She has
the same piquant features, expressive
gestures and quick. flashing ways
"Of course, it was rather a handicap
playing the part of Chiquita in Eng
llsh. speak French. Portuguese, Span
lsh and German fairly f1uently, but am
less at ease in your language. Natu-
rally, it is harder to express emotion if
one has to think for a word. and I am
instantly aware of it if | give so much
as wrong infection. But Americans
nave been very kind to me and always
love an American audience. You are
such wonderful artists and such kind
hearted people. | appeared here in an
Italian play on Broadway nine wears
ago, so that this is not really my Amer
can debut
-n"'e' ASuglla inherited her love
OF the stage. She was born in Palermo,
sicily Her mother belonged to an old,
arlstocratic family and her fathers
people wanted him to become priest.
lhree months before his initiation he
elopcd with Minis mother. They
played with an Italian company. her
mother taking the juvenile leading
part
so You sec | vas really born ON the
stage, SAID Nine Aguglia after de-
tal,'nS this piece OF family history.
oe!ong to 1T and love it ah, there
IS nothing that ! love so much. hone
&c, TO piaN unt'' die. have appeared
before all the crowned heads of rurone
and have done many of the BIG emo-
,loha roles. | was a young girl play
ing Camille in Paris when ChprIas %
Frohman saw me- He engaged mo TO
come to New York to PLAY in Italian
na' was how came to visit America -
Mme. Aguglla has more than a
supcrhc'al knowicdge Of the Mexican
p'aekeround Of The Whirlwind." She
mNNu IN MeNico Tor some time and is
pass' onately fond Of riding. One Of
the things she likes about the play is
,he part played by horses. she has
l1Ved IN Buenos Ayrcs and. indeed ha.
,raveied the world over.
mere is such a vast difference he
'Ween the Italian and American stare -
she declared. Il find it FASCINATING fo
nave the experience OF both. L do mo-,
heileVc a higher standard is demanded
or the actor anywhere than in nv.
native country. Mere histrionic ahjl;t,
IS not considered enough A lifelong
study * demanded of one One musf
be educated and know the lanpuapes
one must study the technic Of the
stage. 1t IS not enough to make what
yon call hit There must be char.
acter and ability ir the BACKGROUND
oelore enduring success comes to ono
fou see, we believe it is not enonqh
TO entertain our audiences. We must
educate them. The Italian goes to the
tneater fully realizing that he is going
10 be instructed, and he scorns the plav
that is devoid of motive We consider
the stage one of our great. educatjve
institutlons and acting a dignifed pro
fession. Your American theater is verv
pr'lhant, versatile and progressive. You
are the entertainers par excellence.
Broadway is radiant throughfare that
takes the foreigner to its heart and
brings catch to the throat. | hope |
may long bs near its glitter"