It is with great feeling of pleasure that this department hands in a minority report on "Hedda Gabler" which the Copley Players labored faithfully to reproduce yesterday afternoon. It is particularly unsatisfactory to discredit a move towards higher dramatic art, but "Hedda Gabler" was made rather for the genius of one great actress, than for the honest efforts of a stock company. It needs that spark of power to carry it across.

Years ago Nazimova scored an astonishing success in this part, and after her have come many lesser steps to tread in her footsteps, but when one sees it, one can't help wondering how "Hedda Gabler" could ever be a popular vehicle. In the first place it is far too long for the stiff-backed seats of a theatre, taking over four hours in presentation. Moreover the incidents are thin and the action slight. Thirdly one feels continually that Ibsen is speaking from the stage and not from life, for his characters have a stilted unnatural manner of expressing themselves. In spite of this, there is something about the icily-cold. Hedda which holds one's fascinated attention to the end. She is the very spirit of jealousy. There is always the feeling of suppressed excitement--something dreadful just about to happen--which sustains the interest through four long acts.

As for the players, Mr. Clive as the unfortunate Lovborg lived up to his excellent reputation. Miss Standing, as Hedda herself, we thought far better than usual but still lacking quite the poise to bring the house down or hold it spell-bound. Mr. Mowbray was Hedda's eccentric stupid husband. He played his part admirably.

It is impossible to commend this presentation of "Hedda Gabler" as anything that will meet with much appreciation, but it is possible to commend the daring and skill of a stock company which will try Ibsen and get away passably with it.