The Washington herald., 1918-09-24
Belasco-Mme. kaiich In 'The Ril-
diet woman

bclasco-Mme. h1lich In "Ene hii-
diei woman
Nine. Bertha Kalich has given to
the stage vivid piece OF drsmaturgy
in her latest effort. THE Riddle:
Woman" which sent q hone-bound
audience into adtectivsl flights at the
Belasco last night. At this early day.
one hesitstes to estimate the scope
Of Nine Kalich's success, but only
the most csptious critic will caviI at
the idaa that not only Nine Kslich
but her play have scored distinct
| triurphs.
The Riddle: Woman" Is a drama
Of sweeping, virile power. II moves
through three periods of dramatic ac-
| ton with a ma jesty that is compelling.
II bears the marks OF polished direc-
ton. of intelligent, artistic character
apportionment: grips with a tsnacitY
that compels the use Of Nsziuova and
War Brides" as a comparison.
One is strongly reminded. in fact
OF Nazimovs's own intensity in wit
Messing Nine Kalich's sttainments
Of the emotional crescendo. The
success OF this Polish actress was
primary only to that Of her
extremely we'll chosen support.
though at times. when she arises
towards this and that climatic peak
one feels that greater intensity
might have resulted from more re-
preston in the minor scenes Such
inequalities. however. are doubtless
not permanent. Nine. Kalich trifled
with the heart-beats OF an audience
too long last night 10 Justify the
suspicion that her appreciation Of
dramatic responsibility might not
encompass. eventually. the elimina-
tIon OF these disproportions, II such
they really are.
The Riddle: Woman" is three
act play Iocaled among the CoHmer-
cial sristocracy OF Denmark. It con-
Germs a womsn-portrayed by Nine
Kalich-vho has risen from the Den
mark social ruck 10 the commanding
position Of the wife of Denmark's
foremost maritime f-ure Through
out the play runs thread Of dia-
logue Of ships and shipping that is
sufficient to localize the production
and retain the identity of IT'S scene
! This woman. Lila Dirk. for wears
/ blackmailed by a rascal of nobility
\ for an indiscretion of her girlIsh
years. faces the choice OF sacrificing
to the noblernan's lust q girl of ten
| der age whom she has promised to
protect or accepting exposure Of her
| own past. Such is the motif running
| through three acts OF well-knit,
smooth-running plot ara in our hum
| bic opinion. Nine. Kalich's own con-
quest cannot dim the luster of rlay
that sweeps through from curtain 10
! curtain without an improbabi'ity. 1t
is credited TO Charlotte z. Wells and
| Dorothy Donuelly.
Next to Nine. KaIich's personal
attainments. none must rank the work
| of E. A. Anson, as the fortune-hunt-
ing. dissolute nobleman. Mr.. Anson.
we note, has left the cast o; Some
one In The House" which vas here
| a short time ago. FOR a part with
Nine. Kalich which otfeN him
! splendid opportunities. Detaia Of his
performance are not particular here
! but Anson must be credited with q
! portrayal marked by a delicacy and
finesse that does credit to his intelli-
gence. To our surprise, he attains
rank in The Riddle: Woman"
which surpasses that Of Robert
| Edeson, whose characterization of the
rich Lars Dirk, who forgives his wife
for her erring youth must not. how
ever. be lowly rated. Possibly Mr..
Bdeson may get more from RS part.
but 1t is doubtful. The. part offers no
| exceptional chances and might greatly
suffer in less capable hands. Praise
| is meted out here also TO Miss Ann
| Macdonald. Albert Bruning, Miss
| Beatrice Allen, and Mr.. John Black.
The others. Miss Thora Weston, Miss
Beatrice Miller and Herbert Ransome,
must take final position in this re-
| view.
| In summary then. Nine Kaiich. we
believe. has scored a success in The
! Riddle: Woman" and we take the
liberty Of designating her performance
as successful artistic melodrana. II
you can imagine it.