The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-10-15

Bertha Kalich scored a marked hit last
evening at the Providence Opera House
in Percy Mac<aye's new poetic tragedy,
"Sappho and Phaon," presented by Har-
rison Grey Fiske In this city for the first
time on any stage
Not only did the audience. which was
large and highly representative call Nine.
Kalich before the curtain SITTER the first
OF the three acts, but at the end OF the
second act. when she had been carried
away by the tumut of passion that char
acterized the burning" poetess OF ancient
Greece and gone with the slave
whom she had enthralled, the audi
ence insisted upon her appearing be-
fore the curtain several times with
about all the leading characters.
Finally she led to the front OF the stage
Messrs Mackaye and Fiske. and
they bowed their ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Individuals and collectively. Mr.. Mac
Kaye. not trusting himself to make
a speech, contented himself with the
simple. but heartfelt words. IL thank
YOU" and retired. IL was rare
tribute the audience had paid TO
playwright. producer and actress, and In
the succeeding and final act IL seemed to
have inspired the players with renewed
enthusiasm.
AS was inseparable from a first produc-
ton there were at times. some hesitation
and delays, the first act taking 90 minutes
and the second an hour. but the audience
was kept keyed up by the excellent work
of the twin stars, Nine. Kalich as Sappho,
and Henry Kolker as Phaon, the public
slave. with whom the divine poetess had
fallen violently in love. At times their
torrential passion was poured forth I'm
words that were scarcely understood by
the audience, but there was no mistaking
tho action, nor the high dramatic char
acter OF the work done.
The scene OF the play Is on the island
OF Lesbos, In the Aegean sea. about GOO
II. c. Only one massive scene is present
ed. and Il is a thing of beauty: The front
OF "A Greek temple. with its solid Doric
columns, many short steps and altars TO
Poseidon and Aphrodte In the fore
ground. looking towards the distant sea.
while at intervals the roar OF the surf is
heard on the rock-bound coast
In the first act Sappho is seen with two
aspiring lovers. Alcaeus and Pittacus. and
a girl friend OF whom Alcaeus Is enam-
ored hut whom he, has forsaken, enticed
by the seductive charms OF the passion
poetess. In a jealous scene between Pit
tacus and Alcacus the Greek slave.
Phaon. is struck hy Pittacus and the
attention OF Sappho Is thus called 10 him.
She seems attracted instantly and forth
fact later discovered, that he has slave
love. and two children. do not prove In
surmountable barriers 10 Sappho and the
rest OF the play Is devoted TO her efforts
to free him from public chains while bind
ing him TO her in spirit In the final act,
after Phaon has slain his son by mistake
for Alcaeus and learned Of the death OF
his other child. he deserts Sappho, who
pleads i'm vain for his return. and then
leaps into the sea.
In the tragic role thus given her Mime.
Kalich rises"-o every opportunity and
shows great dramatic fervor and artistic
appreciation. She Is not physically OF
tragic proportions, but has an excellent
voice which Is under admirable control.
Mr.. Kolker does excellent work NJ
Phaon. Mr. Eric Is good as Alcaeus and
Mr.. Henderson as Pitiacus. Miss Blocks
Thalassa. while good, did not seem To be
SO we'll brought out as Il might have been.
fault due possibly rather to the lines
than the player. Little Miss 1Tulettc had
little to do. but her work was thoroughly
good and Miss Mackaye. sister OF the
author. and Miss Glcndenning played
their roles acceptably.