.
Ibsen realised this, and arranged that Hedda should call for some wood to
be cast upon the fire at the beginning of the scene. In acting this
incident, Mrs. Fiske kneeled before the stove in the very attitude that she
was to assume later on when she committed the manuscript to the flames. The
climax gained greatly in emphasis because of this device to secure economy
of attention at the crucial moment.

III

In the _Autobiography of Joseph Jefferson_, that humorous and human and
instructive book, there is a passage that illustrates admirably the bearing
of this same principle of economy of attention upon the actor's art. In
speaking of the joint performances of his half-brother, Charles Burke, and
the famous actor-manager, William E. Burton, Jefferson says:

It was a rare treat to see Burton and Burke in the same play:
they acted into each other's hands with the most perfect skill;
there was no striving to outdo each other. If the scene required
that for a time one should be prominent, the other would become
the background of the picture, and so strengthen the general
effect; by this method they produced a perfectly harmonious
work. For instance, Burke would remain in repose, attentively
listening while Burton was delivering some humorous speech. This
would naturally act as a spell upon the audience, who became by
this treatment absorbed in what Burton was saying, and having
got the full force of the effect, they would burst forth in
laughter or applause; then, by one accord, they became silent,
intently listening to Burke's reply, which Burton was now
strengthening by the same repose and attention. I have never
seen this element in acting carried so far, or accomplished with
such admirable results, not even upon the French stage, and I am
convinced that the importance of it in reaching the best
dramatic effects cannot be too highly estimated. It was this
characteristic feature of the acting of these two great artists
that always set the audience wondering which was the better. The
truth is there was no "better" about the matter. They were not
horses running a race, but artists painting a picture; it was
not in their minds which should win, but how they could, by
their joint efforts, produce a perfect work.

I am afraid that this excellent method of team play is more ho