Page:The New Yorker 0004, 1925-03-14.pdf/14



HIS is a genuine spirit photograph of the superb production of "The Wild Duck" being given at the Forty-Eighth Street Theatre. The figures, left to right, are Mr. Cecil Yapp as Old Ekdal, Mr. Tom Powers as Gregers Werle, Mr. Warburton Gamble as Hialmar Ekdal, Miss Blanche Yurka as Gina and Miss Helen Chandler as Hedvig. When the plate was developed in the presence of Mr. Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a sixth figure, undoubtedly that of the Great Nordic Blond, appeared in the background.

Mr. Dudley Digges and Miss Clare Eames have treated it as a fine play and not as a classic, thus insuring fine acting and avoiding the false and orotund strutting and mouthing heretofore visited upon Ibsen. Our spirit conrol, Juanita, tells us that, since his death in 1906, Ibsen has turned no fewer than 4,967 complete revolutions in his grave over the manner in which his plays have been acted by players who have approached them with beads of sweat on their brows and knocking knees. His soul may now rest forever in peace.—R. B.