The Daily Worker Newspaper, May 28, 1927, Page 12

Says Farewell EVELYN BENNETT PRR rf peom the point of view of brick and}), mortar The Neighborhood Play- house celebrated its twelfth birthday this year, which means that it had its beginnings long before that. Its history goes back to the gymnasium days in the Henry Street Settlement where the children of the neighbor- hood first engaged in festival dances and rituals under the guidance of Alice and Irene Lewisohn. In time the gymnasium proved too small for its audience and the next stop was Clinton Hali, And by the time 1915 came along Clinton Hall had proved inadequate, and the idea of The Neighborhood Playhouse was given physical expression in the form of the present completely equipped little theatre. a Colorful History. Such, in brief, is the history of the Playhouse in its amateur days; and the record since its emergence into the ranks of a professional theatre— marked by the production in 1920 of Galsworthy’s “The Mob” and the es- tablishment then of the permanent acting company—is so eventful that a recital of its activities must be limited to the main currents which have led up to its becoming the first professional repertory theatre of the present day in New York. In twelve years it has produced more than seventy-five plays, panto- mime ballets, folk plays, folk festi- vals, and ritual festivals, of which some forty-five were produced for the first time. It has presented to its audiences such distinguished guest artists as Sarah Cowell Le Moyne, Ellen Terry, Gertrude Kingston, Ruth Draper, Yvetter Guilbert, Emanuel Reicher, Michio Itow, Roshanara, and the Egyptian dancer Nyota Inyoka. Most singular perhaps of all is that it has consistenty adhered to a policy of growth through experfmentation, and in doing so has built up its own personnel—-its own permanent acting company, its own directors, costume makers, scenic designers, its own workers in every branch of the the- atre. One of the most interesting theories which it has assidously practiced, has been that concerning the develop- ment of the actor and his relation to theatrical expression. Believing that a theatre which aspired to give its audiences a wide choice of produc- tions, not only in the field of straight dramatic expression but in Lyric drama as well, The Neighborhood Playhouse has sought to develop its actors not merely in their capacity as individuals bat as members of a group whose ideal is to work together har- moniously, intelligently and crea- tively. Art of Theatre. For the really valuable thing about & permanent company is the experi- ence which each actor gains through doing a variety of things. It is this experience, endlessly sought, which enabled the Playhouse to achieve the; authentic mood in such widely diversified productions as, for ex- ample, “The Dybbuk,” “The Lion Tamer,” “Guibour,” “Pinwheel,” and the lyric dramas. The art of the theatre is composed of a number of elements all diversified and yet so intrinsically related that a production must inevitably weaken at one point or another if these elements, i.e., the acting, the costumes, the scenery, the stage properties are not conceived in the spirit and mood of the play itself. Ideal of Playhouse. The ideal_of the Playhouse has been constantly toward new forms, of which the dramatic version of “Salut au Monde,” with its synthesis on move- ment, speech and song, is typical; for it is only through experimentation that dramatic art can be kept vital and fluid. In adhering to this aim, Will play an important part in the new Richard Herndon Revue “Merry- Go-Round” which opens at the Klaw Theatre Tuesday night. for material growth and frequent temptations to depart from its original purpose. The Playhouse began as a medium for contact with social forces through the Henry Street Settlement, and its development as “theatre” was the outcome of a deep rooted convic- tion on the part of its sponsors, that art belongs to life and that the theatre is an aesthetic reaction to the great human drama, If, in time, the theatre began to at- tract the notice of a few interested theatregoers and professional critics from other parts, it was because it offered inescapable evidence that a new life was about to be dorn in the American theatre. Once this fact was discovered the Playhouse was loosed from its parochial funetion and forced, in spite of itself, to recognize the responsibility that ha’ been thrust on it as an important factor in the development of a new ex- pression in the theatre. It was its constantly growing importance, cul- minating with the production of “The Dybbuk,” that brought about the end of The Neighborhood Playhouse. For it had reached a point where it could go on no longer. Its main purpose had been achieved. It had outgrown its environment. Arrived at that point the inevitable thing, the artistic thing, was to stop. And that is what has happened. Whether it goes on again in some other form or not is beside the point: only its physical self ean cease; the idea, the spiritual en- tity, remains. |__ Broadway Briefs Roseoe (Fatty) Arbuckle, the former screen comedian, is returning to the stage after a lapse of sixteen years. He will open at Ghanin’s 46th Street Theatre in Margaret Mayo’s comedy “Baby Mine”, Thursday, June 9. Upton Sinclair’s new play, “Sing- ing Jailbirds” is definitely announced for production next season by the New Playwrights Theatre. The organiza- tion is searching for a new home — a& small theatre and at a reasonable rental. William Harris jr., who has been in- active for a season or two will pre- sent “The Handkerchief” by Gilber Emery at Atlantic City. Monday, June 6. The play is a dramatic version of Hulbert Footner’s story “A Scrap of Lace”. The cast includes Henry Ste- phenson, Warren Williams, Kathleen the organization, from the beginning,| Mac Donald, Katherine Emmet and deliberately discouraged opportunities! Mary Blair, Dead AMUSEMENTS, CoS The Theatre Guild Acting Company in ALL NEXT WEEK BERNARD SHAW’S “PYGMALION’” GUILD THEATRE 52nd Street, West of Broadway. Eves at 8:30. Matinees THURSDAY and SATURDAY at 2:30. Week of June Gth—THE SECOND MAN ALL NEXT WEEK “MR. PIM PASSES BY” GARRICK THEA * Mats. Thurs. & 65 W. 35th St. Evs. 8:30. Sat. 2:30. Week of June 6th—RIGHT YOU ARE NED McCOBB’S DAUGHTER THEATRE, 58th St., East of B’way. JOHN GOLDEN eee try SATURDAY. | CIRCLE 5678 Week of June Gth—THE SILVER CORD Extra Matinee Monday (Decoration Day) at All Three Theatres, $500 AWARD for the article of 200 words or less judged to be best on the play “The Ladder.” Contest for eighth week closes Monday at 10 a. m. Money refunded if you do not like the play. Not necessary to see the play to win the prize. “THE LADDER” WALDORF THEATRE 50th St. E. of B’way—Mats. Wed. & Sat. ’ A love tale of the icy north will be unfolded when Capt. Kleinschmidt’s “Primitive Love” has its premiere at the Cameo today. The story was filmed in hitherto unexplored regions near the North Pole, invaded by Cap- tain F. E. Kleinschmidt, noted ad- venturer, and his wife last year. Moss’ Broadway Theatre beginning the Klaw Theatre, Souvaine and Jay Gorney. Maryon Dale, Vida Manuel, chestra, « « include: Joan Burdelle, The New Plays MONDAY “THE TALES OF RIGO,” a drama with music based on the play called “Drift,” by Maurice V. Samuels and Hyman Adler, music - by Ben Schwartz, will open Monday night at the Lyric Theatre, with Hyman Adler, Mildred Holland and Mira Nirska in the cast. J. and J. Oppenheimer are the producers. TUESDAY “MERRY-GO-ROUND,” Richard Herndon’s new revue, Tuesday evening. The book and lyrics are by Morrie Ryskind and Howard Dietz, and the music by Henry Evelyn Bennett, Georgia Ingram, Mary Stills, Frances Gershwin, . Dorothea Chard, Blanche Fleming, Philip Loeb, the Pan American quartette, and Gene Salzer’s or- THURSDAY | “A VERY WISE VIRGIN,” a comedy by Sam Janney will be pre- sented at the Bijou Theatre next Thursday night. Dennis Cleugh, Joan Gordon, Gail de Hart, John Buckler, Ethel Martin and Doris Bryant, . Neighborhood Playhouse 166 Grand St. Drydock 7516 Grand Street Follies ,2t, avery Evening (except Mon.) Mat. Sat 149th =‘ Street, Bronx Opera House eee wens Pop. Prices, Mat. Wed. & Sat. “FR O G” Thrilling Mystery Melodrama. Sam THEA. West 42nd H. HARRIS 78 Daily, 2:30 & sae William Fox Presents (th HEAVEN Mats. (exc. Sat.) 50c-$1. Eves. 50c-1.50 orp < CHAPLIN ‘’ THE MISSING LINK fol; COLONY progpway Contin. Noon to Midnight.—Pop. Prices, Monday will feature the new film “Is Zat So?” taken from the stage production by James Gleason. George O’Brien and Edmund Love play the chief roles, — ; Dorothy Farnum has signed a long term contract with Metro to write original stories for the screen. Her newest, “The Song of Love”, based on. the life of Jenny Lind, will feature Norma Shearer. Miss Farnum is also working on an adaptation of Tolstoi’s “The Cossack’s”. will open at The cast includes: Marie Cahill, The players Be.