The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-26
Mrs. Fiske In "Leah kleschna."

WI D. EioNO LSoii fNsSSS''S'
 Mrs. Minnie Maddern Fiske was en- Enthusiastically received last night at the Majestic theatre on her appearance as "Leah." in the play, Leah Kleschna, a drama in five acts, written by c. M. s. McLellon. The house was crowded to the doors
 In the play presented last night Mrs. Fiske had the opportunity of showing to the best advantage her dramatic power. There Is nothing of the melodramatic touch in Leah Kleschna," but the story deals almost entirely with the Inner emo- lions. There is little of the heavy acting which usually prevails in the modern drama, but the emotional features of the story assert themselves forcibly through the little womans powerful acting.
 So naturally does she Gelineate the de- sires and the resolution of the simple and pure girl forced into the practice of theft by her tyrannical and avaricious father, that she seems really to weep.
 The plot of the story centers around the scheme to rob Paul Sylvaine of valuable family JeWtls. 1JcdA HdS iiOiii hSi N'A'A% hood been taught the tricks of theft by her father, although her natural tendency Is to be good. The story opens with the plans of her people to secure SyiVaine 5 jewels, and in the second act Leah Is de- tected in the act of robbing the safe in Sylvaines study. From this point the plot advances rapidly Although Leah ;f tL. allow her to go, he prevails upon her to talk with him.
 He points her to a better life and tells her that the world of light is hers. She saw only the bad in herself and was dis couraged, but upon his assurance that she was, as all are, "a part of the truth, she takes heart. Leah is then given per mission to leave the house, and Sylvaine escorts her to the court gate. During his absence from the room Raoul Berton, drunken club friend of Sylvaines, enters the room. and being tempted by the jewels he sees on the table, he takes them and thus shifts the suspicion onto Leah s shoulders, though Sylvaine is never mis- led. From this point the true story of
 
 The third act portrays the nobleness Of a fair and just lover and introduces Syl- vaine's dramatic defense of Leah. though the circumstances of the theft of the jewels point directly to her as the guilty one.
 Leah repents her misdeeds and decides upon a separation from her wicked father. The intense emotion of this scene is most effectively depicted. Temptations and threats fail to deter her from the right way. and she returns to the old home of her mother in Austria, where the scene of the last act is laid. Sylvaine finds Leah here and also finds her willing listener to his ardent proposal of marriage.
 The exemplification of the stars art is perfect where courage and womanliness assert themselves. Every situation Is natural: nothing is overdrawn. The act ing is highly finished in the portrayal of the anguish of the struggling soul, and every touch was supremely human.
 Guy Bates Post, as Paul Sylvane. is all nobleness and magnanimity. There IS a rare charm in the skill with which he acts the part of faithful lover George Arlis, as Raoul Berton. is hilarious where the part commands and is thoroughly equal to the heavier veins.
 Emily Stevens. as Claire Berton. is silly. simpering and calculating, and acts well her part.
 Too much cannot be said of the cast