The Washington herald., 1909-03-14
"The Unbroken Road. f"

With The Unbroken Road accepted
by Nine. Bertha Kalich. another univer-
sity professor becomes a playwright.
Prof. T. H. Dickinson is a member OF the
faculty Of the University OF Wisconsin.
and the Sphinx. the university paper,
though II pokes a little fun az him, IS
none the less, II is plain 20 see, rather
proud of his achievement 1t also strikes
new note in suggesting that by win
ming the prizes OF the literary and dra-
matte field the members OF faculty may
do much for the good name Of the college
to which they are attached. The Sphinx
says:
When Prot. Dickinson wrote a play that one Of
the be- maIagers in the country thinks is sood
enough 70 produce. and one of the best actorines
IN the country thinks is worthy Of her genius for
miTnicry. he did for the fair fame q WILSON,
SINS College Of L and than all the rest Of her
English instruction force has done in their natural
lives playwright is bound By all the traditions
Of press agentry TO become famous. and the uni
versity viii st chance 70 bask in not a little
reflected glory 70 Is great thing that he
has done; greater things viii Be awaited from hin
The Sphinx dOfs her antique merry lid 20 T. n
Dickinson and hopes that seats 70 The Unhroken
Road" viii be selling eight weeks in advance II
might not be cut of place 20 suggest % the local
sWam Of pseudo-hterarians that his example Is
worth enulating.
While It Is quite true that Prof. Dick
insOn has come into some measure OF
fame for his achievement and has called
attention 10 the University OF Wisconsin
by his work, we cannot quite agree 10
be so enthusiastic about his product as
is his college journal The Unbroken
Road is not a good play. II has a good.
though somewhat aged idea behind Il,
ard its story IS worked out with a fair
degree OF consequence, but the construc-
ton OF the play is loose. and that IL IS not
less interesting than Il is, is due much
more 70 the skillful work OF the PLAYERS
than IL is TO the genius OF Prof Dick
inson.
Undoubtedly 1t was a most worthy am
bitiOR which induced Nine. Kalich TO ac-
cept a play of this metier; she is de-
sirous of advancing in her art and she
boldly challenges conparison-in spite Of
a slight handicap in the matter Of accent
with her native-born contemporaries.
She is without doubt a great actress.
She is a mistress Of technical skill: she
has wonderful emotional powers: keen
feeling for the beauty Of the spoken
word; much personal magnetism. and a
stage presence that is altogether in her
favor. She is so good an actress. indeed.
that we are sorry that she has not a bet
ter play. for IT Is a pity 20 see her tear
ing passion to tatters as she does in the
part Of Eva. 10 so little purpose or good
end
Still, for the effort she has made. Nine.
Kalich is entitled to high praise and the
thanks OF those who hope for the best IN
the theater. We cannot believe that ''T'he
Unbroken Road" IS destined to a long
life. but II has at least given US convinc-
ing proof once more OF the genius OF an
actress whom we had already learned to
admire and respect. and 1t holds out a
,, promise that, given better vehicle for
the display Of her talent, there are pos
sibilities Of wonderful work in her.