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Singing and dramatic work.
In response to applause she touched her forehead with her right hand, which she then rested upon her left shoulder, and bowed her head.
Recently Madame Olga Petrova exited from pictures, in which field she devoted her efforts for several seasons and prepared for vaudeville, her first love when she came to this country. It has been reported that the present vaudeville appearances are but temporary, that she is to return to pictures after ten weeks and that her appearance on the spoken stage is advertising for further picture work. There is however no announcement on the program of any intended limited engagements. Furthermore, the care with which the Petrova turn has been staged and the undoubted cost of the settings hardly give credence to the reports. The act is richly hung with a dark maroon of silken velour the subduel lighting adding to the effect. A dark blue carpet is employed and a runner of like material cross the apron. The hangings (by P. Dodd Ackerman) cost, it is reported, $2,170, said to be the highest sum expended for any single setting for an art. Petrova has several gowns secured also without price limit. One she showed at the Orpheum (there are no costume changes). Petrova took the centre of the stage and hardly changed position throughout the act. ... She opened with "There, Little Girl, Don't Cry," a number which held little value for her peculiar voice. The parrot number for which she is best remembered in vaudeville followed and the third and last number, she gave, "My Hero," as a double voice effort. The finish was a dramatic bit, Petrova announcing it as an excerpt from a South African play of indistinguishable name. For it a portion of the hangings were lifted showing an odd scene drop with a solitary twinkling star. Petrova moved backward for the bit which was a tirade of an unhappy wife who berates her husband for the monotonous velt existence. The husband is supposed to choke the woman with the curtain dropping on her prostrate form. For vaudeville Petrova is a "name" attraction. As an artist she is not especially brilliant but through the wide advertising of pictures in which she appeared and through the invaluable aid of the investment in setting she will have no trouble in holding a headline position.
Source:
Variety, 53:13 (02/21/1919)