Ibsen in Translation
SIR,—In " Books and Wi-iters" Mr. R. D. Charques asks what it is that robs Ibsen, at anyrate in the English theatre, of grace and intimacy, and he suggests one reason may be that William Archer's translation lacks something of inspiration. I am sure he is right. Archer's Ibsen is stilted and unlikable. There is, however, a translation, not of the whole pay of Peer Gynt, but of the essential scenes in it, by,. Miss Isabel Pagan. It is entitled The Fantasy of Peer Gynt and it brings out the music and poetry of the original as Archer fails to do. It makes it an actable play. The book was published by the Theosophical Society, and not every one will agree with Miss Pagan's interpretation and comments, but all who admire Ibsen will be indebted to her for her translation.—Yours faithfully,
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