ORLOFF, IDA

(Ida Margaretha Weissbeck, 1889-1945)

Actress. Orloff began her career in 1905 playing a small role inDie Büchse der Pandora(Pandora's Box), in whichAdele Sandrockand playwrightFrank Wedekindhimself were performing.Otto Brahmsaw the production and immediately engaged Orloff as a member of his company at the Lessing Theater inBerlin, where she played a series of important roles, including Hannele inGerhart Hauptmann'sHanneies Himmelfahrt(Hannele's Assumption) and Hedwig in Henrik Ibsen'sThe Wild Duck. Hauptmann was so taken with her that he wroteUnd Plppa tanzt!(And Pippa Dances!) for her in 1905. Orloff played the title role in the world premiere, which Brahm staged in early 1906. In 1910 she joined Vienna'sBurgtheatercompany and remained there until 1918. In 1933 she emigrated to England, staying until 1939, when she returned to Berlin and performed mature roles in numerous Hauptmann productions, most notably Frau Fielitz inDer rote Hahn(The Red Rooster) at the Rose Theater in Berlin.