The Topeka state journal., 1922-11-27
OLGA PETROVA

1.-THE White Peacock" starring Olga
Petrova at the Grand theater Saturday
afternoon and evening, was truly an
artistic and entertaining performance.
Ectrova is q handsome woman of Rus
sian descent, Il finished artist and a
clever playwright, for she Is the au-
thor of her present vehicle. Her
gowns were effective, of course, es-
pecially-the peacock costume of the
first act, and the white frock with
which she wore a draped headpIecC of
white silk Spanish lace in the last act.
Petrova was at her best in the scene
with H. H. MoCullum. who played the
part of the Spanish desperado, Rafe el
Rodriguez, magnificently. The rest
of the caste was more than good with
only one exception, and that was
Mitchell Harris, who took the part Of
the heroic and true lover. II seemed
as if he must have been chosen for his
height, for PetrOva is not a small
woman, and for his good looks/ as he
made love in a most unconVincing
manner.
Don Miguel" the rascally husband,
played by handsome Robert Brister;
Ludmilla Toretzka, as Anna, the de-
voted old servant who is down on
husbands but a matchmaker none
the-less, and Doris Carpenter as the
pretty maid-servant, were all worthy
of more than passing notice.
1t was withal, the wonderful Pc
trova, the play, the artistic stage set
tingS, the cast-an ensemble that pro-
Vided marvellous evening, and it is
to be hoped that we may have the OPP
portunity of seeing this beautiful 1ac-
tress and feeling her vivid personality
thru the medium of her next play. =
1T is my ideal. hope you liked it."
Not at all what you would expect
| from the marvellous Olga Petrova Yet
that is precisely what she said of her
play the White Peacock a few min
utes after the final curtain in To-
peka Saturday night.
Clad in the creation she wore in
the last act, lacy mantilla, soft white
dress trimmed in white ermine, and
talking, not only with her voice, but
with her marvellous eyes and equally
enhancing personality, Olga -Petrova
radiated loveliness.
Hers is not the desire for seIf-aE-
grandizement. Rather she would hear
of the play, and compliments to the
cast. And in that she shattered the
innate ideas of her visitors, who be-
lieved that female actresses of the
first caliber were without exception
temperamental, supercilious and AFRO
giant.
In the stuffiness of her crowded
dressing room, Madame Petrova was
like an orchid in the midst of cactus
and scrubgrass- She is beautiful.
charming and the personifica ton of
grace Her manner IS nervous but
pleasant Her viyacity is not what
one would expect from an artist of
her years and experience She is
tender and has the true artists sensi-
tive nature.
I adore western audiences" Ma
dame Petrova said. you have heard
of the personality of an actress or
actor extending over the footlfghts.
But seldom do the personalities of the
audience reach over the footiights to-
the stage folk The appreciation of
your Kansas audience is marvellous
My play is subtle and the bizarre ma
lures of metropolitan audiences some
times miss the tender, sympathetic ap-
peal of some of the lines which are
uttered in swathing cloak of irony
Your western audiences understand
They are natural Your vast prairies
and wonderful air-they allow one
that breadth and space that is so nee
essary for understanding. The crowd
ed cities cramp. want to return
soon to. the Middle West"
Madame PetroNa is still a child in
spirit The White Peacock" is her
tenderest plaything. If it does not
please, she is hurt. If it pleases. she
is radiant with pleasure. And THE
White Peacock pleases-
I, TJTTCCTNE