The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-02-25
NINE. KALICH is TRIUMPHANT
AS aMARTA OF LOWLAEDS'
The Cast.


A plsy rich in the atmosphere Of the
Catalonian hills and lowIands. peOpled
Nth the picturesque characters almost
unknown 20 the western world and tell
ing a story OF superb human interest, is
ofrered serfous-minded theatergoers at
the BeIasco Theater this week, where
Bertha Kalich Is playing her first local
engagement in Marta of the Low
lands"
Several years ago Harrison Grey
Fiske, who is now directing the tour OF
Nine. kalich, brought this play 70
Washington with Fernando EIiscu in
the title role. Miss Eliscu's work was
a revelation and the play a positive
success. Mr.. Fiske has transferred the
activities OF "a ne. Kalich TO the play
and the role made notable by Miss
Eiiscu. Rarely has a Washington audi
ence attended with more tense interest
the scenes OF a stage story than that
accorded Marta OF the Lowlands' last
night. 1t was a fitting tribute 20 Nine.
Kalich, Mr.. Fiske, and 20 the splendid
achievement OF Angel Guimere, author
Of the play, who took a big motive and
worked IL out without once sickening
the sensibilities OF those who saw the
play.
The play tells story Of a small col
Ony OF people who have never known
an authority but that or the MASTER
the only land and property owner OF the
whole countryside. From the noun
tains the master brings q shepherd
20 marry Marta, the tool OF his yill.
that lie may marry q wealthy woman
and save MS property from cOnfisca-
EnnnnEFn n wi d
loathing for him in her heart Marta Is
compelled TO marry him. He soon learns
the awful story that everyone else
knows. but not the name OF the man.
Manelich, the shepherd. before learning
the truth about Marta, and while en-
deavoring 10 gain her friendship just
after the wedding. laughiugly tells her
Of a wolf he killed up there" point
| ing 70 his beloved mountains. Mart a s
soul leaps at the story but she Will
not be friends. She grows 10 love
Manellch aud he adores her, but Meth
er VIII relent, and so they 1--we, Marta
| IN terror that the master" viii come
for her. Manelich IN q logged search
| for the man When ''the master" does
| come fer her and in glOating over his
power and driven almost mad at Mar
! ta's resistance, Manelich comes and for
the first time Marta rushes TO his arms.
The master" IS killed by Maneiich,
/ who again opens his arms TO Marta and
/ SAYS II have killed the wolf" His arms
! SAiAplu LiAc iALAic peasant 6AAA anu as q
| white light rejecting the purity and
| peace Of his mountain home, floods the
| scene Msnelich guides his little bride
/ out OF the lOWlands 10 mis- beloved up
! there"
! The profound simplicity OF the story
l and yet the GRIM mantle OF tragedy
| that overha ngs these little people gives
| the story Unreasonable strength. Each
/ scene was attended with absolute quiet
\ IN the house and a half dozen recalls
/ were demanded at the conclusion OF
| each act.
Nine. Kalich is now a frequent visitor
/ TO Washington and her work is always
/ a matter OF study and keen interest 70
/ students OF the better class of dramatic
/ offerings. At times Nine. Kalich cleo
Irifies and again the peculiar and quick
! changes in her voice detFact from the
effects for which she strives. Her
| Marta is a strong, consistent, and pic
turesque character study. The recita-
act was a marvellous bit OF dictiOn.
Henry kolker. voice physique, and
/ personality, Is what one might expect
/ 10 md IN the shepherd OF which the
/ author writes. His first act as the Joy
Gus, simple life-lOving shepherd down
from the hills TO marry the prettiest
girl in the loWlands was exceedingly
| we'll done and IN the two succeeding
acts. as the man with soul and honor
ture in his almost hopeless fight fol
the vindicatiOn of his love.
Ethel Browning was distinctly clever
as the child, Nuri. but Bernard Cave
naugh failed to make the best OF the
opportunities offered him in the role 81
the hermit, Tomas, 10 whom Marta tell!
Her tragic story.