New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-09-05


pessimist. He was, If you will, q
master realist. A realist resembles q
pessimist only in seeing that there Is
evil, injustice and suffering In the
world. But he also sees thing that
the pessimist never notices, that there
is also much Joy and beauty.
"His characteristic mood, therefore,
is not a fixed one, but is determined by
the amount Of Joy, sorrow, grief or
beauty that he observes.
Life is to him a varied and flowing
stream. His chief endeavor is to see
life as it actually is-all sham re-
moved-and to be truthful and sincere
in the report of the things he sees.
Judged from this point Of view Ibsen
was, of course, the greatest Of the
modern masters"
Nine. Hammer Ass practically
been brought up with the works Of
Ibsen, in living form, and so, natur-
ally, it is not in the slightest the
form Of fad with her. Raised in
Bergen she studied young at the Ber-
veloped her natural talent for acting
and at the age Of seventeen made her
debut at this same theater in the
leading role Of Henrik Hertz's famous
old Norwegian play "The House of
Svend Dyring." From then on she
played at this theater until the chance
came for an extended engagement at
the Central, Norway's best and
most exacting theater. Here she ap-
peared in. number Of leading roles,
but not in the plays Of her idol, for
Ibsen was played exclusively IN the
National Theater Of Christiania.
"a few years later, however, Nine.
Hammers chance came. Her contract
with the Central Theater expiring, she
was elected one of the leading actresses
! of the National Theater-where she
played Ibsen to her hearts content
and to the satisfaction of her public.
Nine. Hammer, who is in the prime OF
artistic achievement, would, doubtless,
have stayed in Norway, but, as she
says, little personal romance Is con-
nected with her coming to America.
Her husband came over in connection
Of Christiania. Mr.. Hammer liked
America so we'll that ne wished to re-
main here, but he was forced to cross
the Atlantic three times before Nine.
Hammer consented to give up her work
at the National Theater and join him
This fall, in giving Ibsen at tins
Little Theater, her transplentoA at
will blossom on this side of the ocean.
Unlike other foreign artists and
actresses, Nine. Hammer cannot be
called visitor--eor she has come to
no loud ringing OF bells, she shows
lbsen IN the American stage the
publ - at last have an opportunity
to Nc" r. plays were presented
villa III, n.aater directed them him
SET In his native land, by an actress
] "no has loAo1 in her own country.
Nine. Hammer was asked how she
had acquired such a charming English
pronunciation.
"No, . did not take lessons" replied
she, "in the ordinary sense of the word.
had been Taught little English in
school, OF course, and after all, learn
ing to speak correctly is greatly
matter of an ear that can register
! zone values Of course one never stops
learning. In this wonderful country
nothing ever stops!"
Inter viewers have learned to accept
praise Of America; it is criticism that
IS always interesting-and 80 hard to
! obtain
What is one of your personal OBJ
servations Of America 2" the Norwegian
actress was asked
"Perhaps that women here are
treated more wonderfully in every way
than in any place in the world. The
men actually bow down to them; but
in this there is danger, because also
here in this country there are more
women who are spoiled by their hus-
bands than anywhere else-thcy not
only have all the rights. but few CT
the wrongs.
THE sad thing I have observed in
the love life of America is that the
man here feels that it is & crime if
he is poor, and his wife and relatives
seem to agree with him and do all the
furnishing that even a cruel-hearted
judge might order. 1t is not that way
On the Continent. There artists are
often poor and happy; art does not
mean the same thin: as commercial
success, as it does here, and an artist
without money may lead happy mar
ricd life. 1t would be very hard for
him to do this in New York, don't you
think?
"My own view is tnat everywhere. in
my native land and here, there should
be more naturnlness and tolerance, both
in art and life. Let Us try to lead
easy, pleasant existences, instead of
rushing madly toward we know not
~hat-and wearing ourselves out in
| aiming at some goal Of ambition"
BROOKLYN ADJUSTMENTS