Under Jerndorff's
direction for five years, he obtained that thorough dramatic
education which is so essential to the fastidious Scandinavian
Theatre, and to which Ibsen also served an apprenticeship.
"Hadda Padda," Mr. Kamban's first dramatic work, was written in
Denmark in 1912, while he was still a student at the University of
Copenhagen. Originally written in Icelandic, it was translated
into Danish and submitted to the Royal Theatre, a fortress
difficult of access to the newcomer. This theatre did not even
fully recognise such masters as Ibsen and Bjornson until they
stood on the heights of achievement. Our author was but twenty-
four years old, unknown, and offering his first play.
From the outset "Hadda Padda" caused the directors unexpected
trouble. It took them four times as long as usual to come to a
decision. They finally accepted it "on account of its literary
merit," but without any obligation on their part to produce it, as
the scenery of the last act was of "such daring and dangerous
character."
There was but one thing to do and Mr. Kamban did it. His play was
published by Gyldendal, the most distinguished of the Scandinavian
publishers.
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