The San Francisco call., 1905-06-06
New Work Enthralls
and Displays
Power.
AS in Becky Sharp
Her Genius Is
Paramount.
BY JAMES c. CRAWFORD.

with the strongest ooterle of players
that ever accompanied a star across the
continent Mrs. kiske presented Leah
Kleschna' last evening at the Majestic
Theater and scored a hit equal to that
achieved by her Becky Sharp" several
years ago. The curtain calls that fol-
lowed each act were cumulative of hearth
ness, and came from all parts of a house
filled to its capacity.
Mrs. Fiske has so long been hailed as
the chief American apostle Of the new
school of dramatic symbolism, created
by Suderman. Hauptmann, Ibsen and Mae
terlinck. That her departure into what
seemed &c field of realistic melodrama
caused discussion and some nnisgiving
among her disciples in San Francisco
misgiving which was not lessened by the
advance assurance that the titular role
was strong in opportunity for psychology
cal revelation, because il was noted that
the author of the play had never pro-
duced anything prior to 1t with the ex-
ception of musical comedy thing, The
Belle of New York" which certainly re-
fiected no ability on his part to fathom
and bring TO light the mysterious COM
pIexities of the feminine mind. Also in
trepidation it was hinted that in portray
ing a professional thief Mrs. Ffske was
stooping to pander to the herd and aban-
doning the elect. Leah was looked upon
as a Nancy Skies without the refining
touches of Dickens master hand. The
stories were read and paralleled for COM
parison. Nancy's repentance was brought
about through the stirring of her ma
ternal instinct by the guilelessness of lit
tie Oliver Leah's moral uplifting was
prompted by her sex love for man who
regarded crime as durable by kindness.
Nancy was in heart bondage to the brutal
Mr. Bill Skies. Leah was in filial slavery
to more indulgent burglar. Therefore,
argued the sorrowing upholders of the
new thought" Mrs. Ffske is going to
give US a tion-a modernized edition
of Bits victim.
But the clever little woman disappoint-
ed while she delighted her pessimistic
clientele. True, the play was melodra-
matte both in construction and charac-
terization, and in certain theater far
ther east on Market street II could be
made to thrill the gallery. In the hands
of Mrs. Fiske and her company, however,
its essential claptrap was so deftly OBJ
scured as to appear artistic. There was
safe cracking and pistol drawing and
creepy lighting effect, but they were made
to seem absolutely necessary to tie
proper development Of the story. And.
aside from the fact that both women
were nurtured in crime and soul racked
by remorse, there was no similarity OF
temperament between Leah Kleschna
a positive young person. unawed by fear
of her master as poor Nancy was, and
the remarkable expression by suggestion
for which the clever little woman is
noted was given effective display In every
scene Her words conveyed no less mean
ing than their intonation or the accom-
panying gestures or facial play Even
when the intensity of her acting made
some of her lines inarticulate to the folk
in the back rows, they appreciated the
passion that inspired the speech. In this
connection it may not be amiss to state
that Mrs Fiske is in much better vocal
form than she was during her previous
engagement in this city. AS hereinbefore
asserted, her Leah is the most enthral-
ing bit of work she has done here since
her Reclxv established her favoritism.
OF the company it may also be repeated
that a stronger one throughout has never
aided any star on this side of the contl-
nent. John Mason's splendid declamatory
forte finds ample swing in the part Of
the preachy gentleman whose charitaoie
views on criminology, aided by an at
tractive personality. reform Leah's views
on her own duty to society. Charles
an English actor, makes
Kleschna a character of memorable dis
tinctness. so far is 1t removed from the
cracksman while retaining
all the love of his art that possesses the
thorough criminal. William B. Mack's
work as a burglar of uncertain mental
attitude was excellent. and George Ar
liss mercilessly portrayed the unlovely
traits of a young Partisan degenerate.
Edward Donnelly was a heavy father
cutie akin to the everyday stage papa
The supporting women did nothing
worthy of special mention.
In the elaborate and artistic stage pic
lures Mrs F1ske's managerial hand was
clearly reflected-as indeed 1t was in every
detail Of the production.