Bertha Kalich & Co.

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In the sketch by Mrs. Fiske entitled “A Light From St. Agnes”. 24 minutes, full stage, own set. Mme. Kalich takes the character of ‘Toinette, John Harrington that of Michel Karouse, and John Booth that of Father Bertrand. The curtain rises on the interior of a miserable hut, in the center of which is a cot where ‘Toinette lies asleep. She and Michel Karouse are partners in sin. A priest enters. He awakens her, and tells her of the death of Agnes, a worker in the slums. On a nearby hill is a convent, and in its chapel lies the body of the saintly woman. The chapel is called “St. Agnes”. The priest gives ‘Toinette some wholesome advice, and tells her what a good friend she had in the saintly Agnes. ‘Toinette tells the priest that she is awakened every morning at sunrise by a light which shines through her window and over her couch, being a reflection of the sun from the window of St. Agnes’ Chapel. As the priest is about to depart, Michel Karouse enters, intoxicated. He orders the priest out, and a quarrel ensues between him and the woman. Michel tells ‘Toinette that a valuable diamond cross lies on the breast of Agnes, and that he is going up there to steal it. ‘Toinette protests. She warns him that the nuns of the convent will ring the alarm bell. He seizes a knife and declares he well cut the bell rope to prevent the alarm. ‘Toinette then lures him into the belief that she will help him, and induces him to give her the knife. She departs, ostensibly to cut the bell rope—Instead, she rings the bell for the alarm. Michel rushes out, seizes her, drags her back into the hut, throws her upon the cot, and stabs her to death. As she is dying, she embraces a crucifix, and the reflected light from the window of St. Agnes throws a halo over her body. Curtain. The acting of Mme. Kalich is intense, as is also that of Harrington. Booth, as Fr. Bertrand, also does excellent work. The sketch is a thrilling one, and the audience is under a spell of suspense throughout. Mme. Kalich was accorded many curtain calls at both Sunday performances.

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