THEATRE ROYAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12427, 16 February 1901, Page 5

THEATRE ROYAL.

“HEDDA GABLER.” It was probably of malice prepense that Miss O'Neil chose “Hedda Gabler” to follow her production of Camille. As the latter is undoubtedly the most human of her parts in its emotional ; characteristics, so Ibsen’s notorious heroine is unquestionably the most unreal, and literally inhuman- There was, therefore, a touch of something ’ more than cleverness in the association of the two characters for a study in comparisons. “Hedda Gabler” is probably the most extraordinary play which has ever been staged in Christchurch. The book ' itself reads with more than a suggestion of artificiality which its stage representation serves to emphasise. It is fortunate that it is unreal, and that “Hedda Gabler” exists not as, a human type, but only as a malignant creation. The play is immoral, unwholesome, intensely ugly, utterly unreal and absurdly inconsequential. This is unorthodox, of course, but either Ibsen is caviare to the multitude-, for which the multitude should be. supremely grateful, or else, if he is to be judged by “ Hedda Gabler,” the multitude is caviare to him'.. More than that, the play is unnecessarily suggestive, and the unpleasant taste which it leaves in the mouth is not justified either by'its'motif or its construction, though it may be borne for; the sake of its ’masterly representation. As a problem play the molehill problem ; seems to be utterly unworthy of the mountainous solution. Had it not been that the presentation of the play was in the hands of a small but thoroughly capable cast it would have been simply unbearable, if not ludicrous, and even as it was the suggestion of anti-climax was perilously in' the air repeatedly. Miss O’Neil, herself gave an entirely fresh study, full of cleverness, bub still demanding with the play "‘ of what'use?” Surely there■ is no excuse for deliberate ugliness, which has not even the sanction of humanness, outside the circle of faddists who would mate a creed of disease "for the sake of notoriety. Mr Kingston, of course, again, lent strong support, though his part was, for once, nor very heavy. . But the honors, fell to Mr W. Bernard, who, as George Tesman, gave, a study of a tame-cat husband of literary proclivities which was really excellent, and was infinitely the best part he has played during the season. Mr Henry Plimmer, too, was at his best as Assessor Brack, and Miss Josephine Thynne gave quiet glimpses of emotional depth hitherto unsuspected in her. The whole cast of the play embraces but seven .characters, and the four acts are played ini the one set. The play was nob’received with any enthusiasm by the audience, the general verdict appearing to be that the tragedienne was entirely wasted upon a hue and cry which was'productive of so miserable a result in wool. Miss O’Neil’s season will be closed tonight with a return to the realm of comedy, Charles Reade’s “ Peg Woffington ” (“ Masks and Faces ”) being announced! for the final appearance of the star. 1 .