Elizabeth Robins and the 1891 Production of Hedda Gabler

Abstract

On 1 June 1891, when the controversy and success of the Elizabeth Robins production of Hedda Gabler had subsided after the longest run to date of any Ibsen play in London, publisher William Heinemann reprinted a deluxe "Large Paper" edition of the English translation that he had introduced in January. Ostensibly, this edition preserved the version of the playas it had been performed in April and May at the Vaudeville Theatre. Translator Edmund Gosse added an introduction which praised the London performers and stressed that "the version here printed is that which they used," except that, "for working purposes, and to avoid certain crudities of the original, they made a few highly judicious alterations." The large paper edition of the play testified to the astounding new popularity of Ibsen's drama. And, as Gosse most elaborately pointed out, the success of the production was due primarily to the acting talent of Elizabeth Robins.