1. Overview
Betty Mathilde Hennings, born SchnellSchnellDanish, was a prominent Danish actress who made a significant transition in her career from a ballet dancer to a highly acclaimed stage actress. Her artistic journey, which began with ballet at the Royal Danish Theatre, evolved to encompass dramatic roles, particularly earning her widespread recognition for her powerful interpretations of characters in the plays of Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, most notably as Nora in A Doll's House. She profoundly influenced Danish theatre through her extensive repertoire and lasting presence on stage for several decades.
2. Early Life and Background
Betty Hennings' early life laid the foundation for her distinguished career in the performing arts.
2.1. Birth and Family
Betty Mathilde SchnellSchnellDanish was born on October 26, 1850, in Copenhagen, Denmark. She was the daughter of tailor Stig Jørgen SchnellSchnellDanish (1816-1870) and Regine Sophie Dorothea SchmidtSchmidtDanish (1819-1881). On July 25, 1877, she married Henrik HenningsHenningsDanish, a music publisher and composer, adopting his surname.
2.2. Education and Early Training
Hennings began her artistic training as a ballet dancer at the prestigious Royal Danish Theatre. She studied under the tutelage of the renowned ballet master August Bournonville, who quickly recognized her exceptional talent. Bournonville not only gave her leading roles, such as Hilde in A Folk Tale, but also promoted her to the esteemed position of solo dancer in 1869, highlighting her early accomplishments in classical ballet. Despite her success in ballet, her potential for dramatic acting was also observed by the dramatist Frederik Høedt, who encouraged her to consider a career as an actress, a path she ultimately chose, seeking a more relaxed environment on the stage compared to the rigors of ballet.
3. Career
Betty Hennings' career was marked by a pivotal transition from ballet to acting, where she distinguished herself through a wide array of roles, particularly in Henrik Ibsen's influential plays.
3.1. Transition to Acting
In 1870, Betty Hennings made a significant career shift, transitioning from a successful ballet dancer to a stage actress. This decision was influenced by the encouragement of dramatist Frederik Høedt, who saw her potential beyond ballet. She embraced this change, reportedly preferring the less demanding nature of a theatrical acting career compared to the physical intensity of ballet. Her acting debut took place the same year she transitioned, when she portrayed Agnès in Molière's classic comedy, The School for Wives.
3.2. Major Theatre Roles
As Betty Hennings matured as an actress, she became renowned for her nuanced interpretations of complex characters, especially those found in the works of Henrik Ibsen. Her portrayal of Nora in A Doll's House was particularly celebrated and became one of her signature roles. Beyond Nora, her significant Ibsen roles included Hedvig in The Wild Duck, the title role in Hedda Gabler, Ellida in The Lady from the Sea, Hilde Wangel in The Master Builder, Asta Allmers in Little Eyolf, Ella Rentheim in John Gabriel Borkman, Irene in When We Dead Awaken, and Fru Helene Alving in Ghosts.
Hennings also graced the stage in works by other prominent Scandinavian playwrights, such as Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, Holger Drachmann, and Gunnar Heiberg. Her versatility extended to classical drama, where she performed in plays by William Shakespeare, taking on the roles of Ophelia and later Gertrude in Hamlet, and in Friedrich Schiller's Maria Stuart. In her later career, she continued to evolve her craft, taking on increasingly mature roles in Ibsen's plays and other contemporary works, including Clara in Gustav Wied's SkærmydslerSkærmydslerDanish. Throughout her career, she performed in 170 different parts across almost 3,000 performances.
3.3. Performance History
Betty Hennings' extensive performance history includes a wide variety of roles at the Royal Danish Theatre and, later in her career, at the Odense Theatre.
3.3.1. Royal Danish Theatre
Hennings' primary professional home was the Royal Danish Theatre, where she performed numerous roles over several decades. Her performances there include:
- 1861: JulestuenJulestuenDanish as Anne
- 1861: Ludlams huleLudlams huleDanish as Betty
- 1865: JulestuenJulestuenDanish as Marie
- 1867: The Merchant of Venice (Købmanden i VenedigThe Merchant of VeniceDanish) as Jessica, Shylock's daughter
- 1870: The School for Wives (FruentimmerskolenThe School for WivesDanish) as Agnete
- 1871: FejltagelserneFejltagelserneDanish as Frøken Trine
- 1873: Pernilles korte frøkenstandPernilles korte frøkenstandDanish as Leonora
- 1874: Det lykkelige skibbrudDet lykkelige skibbrudDanish as Pige
- 1875: Henrik og PernilleHenrik og PernilleDanish as Leonore
- 1876: MaskeradeMaskeradeDanish as Leonora
- 1877: Jacob von Tyboe (Jacob von TyboeJacob von TyboeDanish) as Lucilia
- 1878: The School for Wives (FruentimmerskolenThe School for WivesDanish) as Agnete
- 1878: Henrik og PernilleHenrik og PernilleDanish as Leonore
- 1879: A Doll's House (Et dukkehjemA Doll's HouseDanish) as Nora, Helmer's wife
- 1879: Pernilles korte frøkenstandPernilles korte frøkenstandDanish as Leonora
- 1880: The Fickle One (Den vægelsindedeThe Fickle OneDanish) as Leonora
- 1880: Much Ado About Nothing (Stor staahej for ingentingMuch Ado About NothingDanish) as Hero
- 1882: Den forvandlede brudgomDen forvandlede brudgomDanish as Leonora
- 1884: The Political Tinker (Den politiske kandestøberThe Political TinkerDanish) as Raadsherreinde
- 1884: The Fidget (Den stundesløseThe FidgetDanish) as Leonore
- 1884: Hamlet (HamletHamletDanish) as Ophelia
- 1884: MaskeradeMaskeradeDanish as Leonora
- 1884: Ulysses von IthaciaUlysses von IthaciaDanish as Iris
- 1885: The Political Tinker (Den politiske kandestøberThe Political TinkerDanish) as Raadsherreinde
- 1885: The Wild Duck (VildandenThe Wild DuckDanish) as Hedvig
- 1888: BarselstuenBarselstuenDanish as Barselskone
- 1888: The Political Tinker (Den politiske kandestøberThe Political TinkerDanish) as Raadsherreinde
- 1889: Pernilles korte frøkenstandPernilles korte frøkenstandDanish as Leonora
- 1891: Hedda Gabler (Hedda GablerHedda GablerDanish) as Hedda Tesman
- 1893: The Master Builder (Bygmester SolnessThe Master BuilderDanish) as Hilde Wangel
- 1893: The Winter's Tale (Et vintereventyrThe Winter's TaleDanish) as Hermione
- 1895: Little Eyolf (Lille EyolfLittle EyolfDanish) as Asta Allmers
- 1897: John Gabriel Borkman (John Gabriel BorkmanJohn Gabriel BorkmanDanish) as Ella Rentheim
- 1900: When We Dead Awaken (Naar vi døde vaagnerWhen We Dead AwakenDanish) as Irene
- 1900: Richard III (Richard IIIRichard IIIDanish) as Elisabeth
- 1901: King Lear (Kong LearKing LearDanish)
- 1901: SkærmydslerSkærmydslerDanish as Clara
- 1903: The Winter's Tale (Et vintereventyrThe Winter's TaleDanish) as Hermione
- 1905: Ghosts (GengangereGhostsDanish) as Fru Helene Alving
- 1908: Tunge vejeTunge vejeDanish as Fra Wedekind
- 1910: Hamlet (HamletHamletDanish) as Dronning Gertrud
- 1921: ModerenModerenDanish as Moderen
- 1922: Det gamle hjemDet gamle hjemDanish as Urania, Rabes datter
3.3.2. Odense Theatre
Later in her career, Betty Hennings also performed at the Odense Theatre:
- 1918: Det gamle hjemDet gamle hjemDanish as Urania, Rabes datter
- 1918: Ghosts (GengangereGhostsDanish) as Fru Helene Alving
- 1918: Hvor man keder sigHvor man keder sigDanish as Hertuginden af Reville
4. Retirement and Recognition
Betty Hennings retired from the stage in 1908, concluding a remarkable career spanning nearly four decades as an actress. Upon her retirement, she received widespread acclaim and was recognized as the "first lady of the Royal Theatre," a testament to her immense contributions and distinguished standing in Danish theatre. Her career encompassed 170 distinct roles performed across nearly 3,000 stage appearances.
5. Death
Betty Hennings passed away on October 27, 1939, in Gentofte, Denmark, at the age of 89.
6. Assessment and Legacy
Betty Hennings left an indelible mark on Danish theatre, evolving from a talented ballet dancer into one of the most celebrated actresses of her time. Her legacy is primarily defined by her profound and influential interpretations of characters in Henrik Ibsen's plays, particularly her iconic portrayal of Nora in A Doll's House. She brought depth and psychological insight to these roles, establishing a standard for subsequent generations of performers. Her versatility was also evident in her performances across classical drama and contemporary works by various playwrights. Hennings' extensive repertoire and longevity on stage, encompassing 170 roles and almost 3,000 performances, solidified her status as a revered figure in Danish performing arts, earning her the lasting title of the "first lady of the Royal Theatre." Her contributions helped shape the theatrical landscape of her era and continue to be studied and admired for their artistic merit.