Evening Star Newspaper, January 20, 1924, Page 45

BAcoNn National Trag‘edy--andComcdyRelief By Philander Johnson. FTER a dcluge of Shakespeare so torrential as to warrant any discrect observer in tak- ing to cover, the current of the theater smoothed down and flowed into accustomed channels. A drawing-room play, “The Moon Flower” was shown for the first time in this country at the Shubert | Garrick, which, in spite of an erratic policy as to its bookings, has en- joved the distinction of witnessing several eventful first-night perform- ances. “Innocent es” was a typi- cal “gay Parce” production calcu- lated to efface any morose shadows that the Barrymore “Hamlct” might Liave left lurking in the corridors. | “Lightnin’” demonstrated that it can make a hit several times in the same place and “The Bat” disclosed the remarkable fact that thesrush to see it has not yet satisfied curiosity as to what it is all about. EE N “The Moon Flower” is the most remarkable production since “Out- ward Bound,” which was an imme- diate and overwhelming success in New York. The fact that “Outward Bound” is recalled in connection with “The Moon Flower” can only be accounted for by the process of reply to certain ancient mnun-! drums, “because it is so different.” | The difference, however, is not a difference of merit, but of method of appeal to auditorium tempera- ment. “Outward Bound” told the good news about human nature. “The Moon Flower” sets out with | cruel logical analysis to let us know the worst. It is artistic to the last word; so intent on delineating a so- cial system of aristocratic privilege that it grows pitiless in its science. It supplies the anesthesia of conven- tional romance but sparingly, and cares not what complacencies may be compelled to wince a little. It is a play of protest against conditions which a Hungarian poet may sur- vey with poignant intimacy, but which, happily for this continent, must have the services of translator and adapter to make clear its subtle denunciation. ERE The crowded theater on the open- ing night represented a tribute to Elsie Ferguson, who finds in this role a worthy successor to the one she played in “Outcast.” Sidney Blackmer, who glays the boy who has resolved to throw life away for wone night of glittering revel in the Nuxuries Poverty has denied him, is a player worthy of this most exact- ing role. - He wins sympathy deeply. “The boy he has made so delicately human leaves the audience at the donélusion of the play sharing his own heartbreak. The . authorship, | in refusing to supply a denouement | of felicity, deserves the thanks of those - who prefer consistency to comfort. What might have been 2 | European writers, the poet could not i be content with his romance, but | ciful when he does no worse than culminating moment of farce or of ‘tragedy, ebbs, with a ripple of tears into the great, remorseless ocean of the commonplace. The story as it relates to the mer- aqe 11 ciless love tyranny of a woman and the recklessness of an infatuated man, is a transcription into modern terms of Theophile Gautier's mag- | nificent morceau, “One of Cleopa- tra’s Nights.” It will be apon this phase of its interest, interpreted with consummate appeal, that popu- larity will depend. Like so many! boy will offend cvery youth who cherishes the delusion that he is capable of immeasurable romantic conquest ; the duke, every braggart who is brave only when his advan- tage is complete; the baron, every professional borrower or dependent on feminine bounty. ' The motto of ! the drama might easily be, “We aim | to displease.” There is no fine gesture or flourish of sentiment in conclusion, to palliate the scorn. Father Time, the stage manager, having witnessed the rehearsal of familiar scenes, merely drawls his inexorable mandate, “As You Were.” It may be that its American pro- moters saw in it only a society must make his utterance an outcry in the social struggle. In this re- spect of the drama it is the duke who becomes the character of first significance; the symbol of auto- cratic power who kills at personaly| discretion and counts himself mer- slam the door in the face of auda- cious poverty. Mr. Worlock €x-}grama, with the reckless life at pressed the complexities of this| yonte Carlo offering opportunities character with fine emphasis. for emotionalities and gowns. Tf * k% * i g s this is the case they are in the posi- tion of the gentleman who was look- ing for a silk worm and picked up a centipede. It is a peculiar cast of characters; only one woman, the star, and six men. The part of the good-natured friend, essential to this kind of drama, the man who wants otherSJ to be happy, even at some slight expense to his own convenience, was played by Edwin Nicander; an actor especially qualified for por- traying in gentle whimsical vein characters of mature and polished personality. He was irresistibly droll and so accurately in key that he evoked a constant play of quiet * ¥ ok k -One fault was obvious. The audi- ence unanimously revived the com- ment of that eminent Danish dra- matic critic, Polonius, “This is too long!” As Hamlet pointed out, the remedy is easy. The sympathy of Hamlet with actors was strong. I Lave never been quite sure whether his lack of grief after he had in- ed Polonius wi laughter without creating a discord :'f,f’éff:?g :;‘:l;:c:l that theurse w:: in the scenes of deep intensity. It|,ne dramatic critic less in Denmark. was almost 2 pity to see him even-| This is levity. But the actors them- tually as the defeated gambler be- | selyes have set the pace. They are reft of his suavity, in order todem-| ype abstrdcts and brief chronicles onstrate the cynicism: “A'man has| of our time, and recent demonstra- but too moods, one wbcn he wins|yions have not been altogether dis- and one when he loses.” But it had tinguished by a profound respect for to be done. “The Moon Flower” Shakespeare. permits itself no heroism. From the duke, who makes souls his playtoys, to the head waiter, who is a cormo-| ® 3 rant for tips, each personage come any vestiges of gloom that stresses the insincerities. The love | Might have been leit over from Mr. scenes between the boy and girlare | John Barrymore’s Hamlet, at Poli's beautiful flashes of color against a| Theater. Mistinguette’s costumes somber hackground. The play is as parade a fortune in feathers before complete 13 :.“ mit}tnah.sr_n ",“0“" bewildered eyes. The obscure toiler wasdiBomnd *w:s :‘" :pmtuamy. to produce magnificence was again ignored despite the minute record * K %k No expense was spared to.over- There was never a play which| offered by the play bill as to con-| more holdl)r disregarded the feelings | tributors and designers. There of the audience, as the poet, exas- | should have been at least one round perated by an uncongenial social|of applause for the ostrich. The system, strikes right and left. There | star of this diaphanous dance de- is no soliciting of kind applause by | lirium, “Innocent Eyes,” is' an’ ex- spreading the balm of flattery. It|ponent of the personal ‘magnetism expounds a doctrine of fraternalism | for which Paris is famous. 'The on the theory that one man is just | feminine witchery which defies de- as bad as another. The girl will of-| scription has many times caused an fend every woman who believes that | American furor.” A little touch of no circuistances can render an| something undefinable sufficed for ideal devotion quite impossible. The! the spark that produced explosions . . GLRTRUDE PARISH Poli's—Mrs. Leslie Carter in ; “Stella Dallas.” Mrs. Leslie Carter, in a dramatization of Olive Higgins Prouty’s novel, “Stella Dallas,” by Gertrude Purcell and Harry Wagstaft "Gribble, comes to the Poli Theater this week, commencing tomor- Tow night. The Selwyns say in offering this at- traction they feel they have selected one that will reach the hearts of those who really enjoy the best story of the last year. Although touched with a quality of humor, the role of Stella Dallas pro- vides Mrs. Carter with rich opportpuni- ties for the emotional acting which has made her famous. Stella is a big- hearted woman whose marriage is un- fortunate chiefly because she and the husband come from contrasting envi- ronment and cannot reconcile _their views of life. Stella is light-hearted and pleasure-loving, her husband is more serious-minded. _They separate, their one child, a daughter, alternately spends some time with and is devoted 10 both of them. Stella idolizes her. but when the break comes she makes & su- preme sacrifice for the sake of the daughter. The situation is poignant in e T o in In the extrame. s said to be moving in the : The cast, approved by the adapters and the author of the book, includes Margaret Hawkins, Beatrice Moreland, of applause. The ancient scrapbook tells of the furor created by Aimee, Wirect from Paris, who sang “She’s as P-r-r-retty as a Picture,” with everybody who knew how to whis- tle a tune as an obsequious chorus. There is not an operator at. central who would not envy that telephone trill she could give the letter “r.” And there - :were Polaite = and Fougere, laying no great claims to beauty, but conquering with studied fascinations. Yvette Guilbert was first hailed as a singer of reckless ballads. The artistry for which she is now known makgs the mander of her introduction seem almost a sac- rilege. And Anna Held, on the same stage where Charles E. Evans now presides as the judge in the court scene in “Lightnin’,” sang with Evan and Hoey in “A Parlor Match.” Anna Held's song was, “Oh, Won't You Come and Play Wiz Me,” and the house went into a gale of laughter when Old Hoss Hoey dropped the red-hot stove he was carrying out of a house, and exclaimed: “You bet I will.” The gay Parisicnne be- came more demure of manner, as re- vealed by Gaby Des,Lys, who set a COUDRAY Prestdent MARION BENT ~ Kettks lCurrent Attractions Almeda Fowler, Julia Cobb. Ruth Dar- by, Anne_ Morrison, Albert March, Mathilde Baring, Guy Milham, Kay Harrison and George W. Howard. Garrick — "The Marionette Man.” Tomorrow night at the Shubert- Garrick Theater Brock Pemberton will present the latest and the most elaborate production of his caree “The Marionette Man” a melodram by Frances Lightner. This play marks Mr. Pemberton's first venture into the fleld of melodrama and he Wopes to make it his crowning achievement. ‘The company is headed by Ullrich Haupt, the continental actor who re- cently’ created quite a furor in New York through his impersonations of Prince Albert in the play “Queen Victoria.” Although Mr. Haupt is well known on the continent, having toured Europe for the past twelve years at the head of his own organi- zation in classical plays, he was prac- tically unknown in this country.un- til recently. His part of Toni in the “Marionette Man" will be his second English speaking role. Mr. Pentberton has supplied a sup- orting _company _ that includes wight Frye, Claudette Colbert, C. Porter Hall, Michellette Burani, Hal O e so gorgeous as that of Mistinguette. “The Innocent Eyes” display is not very artfully devised to give her due prominence as a star; it is a riotous profusion. * ok % ¥ As to comedy, tHere was less of it at Poli's than the afternoon when Mr. Barrymore, stricken with evi- dent penitence for having harrowed the feelings of the audience with a picture of the dismal Dane, came to the footlights between the acts and told a series of anecdotes in negro dialect. It was a master stroke of fun, ‘though it may be doubted whether conservative English au- diences will like it when he goes to London. If the spirit of comic in- novation becomes stronger it will be’ only reasonable to expect”some new Othello to take his banjo on his knee, and,’instead of smothering Desdemona, serenade her with “Baby, You Done Mc Wrong.” Miss Cowl also modernized: Cleopatra, but refrained from' stepping out of character. There should be no com- plaint at deviation . from . strict classic’ standards. Actors, like Crane and Miriam Battista. The pro- duction, which is said to be claborate, was deslgned by Raymond Sovey from sketches made in the Marionette Theater on Mulberry street, New York. : The engagement should be of un- usual interest, as it marks the first engagement of a high-class produc- tion under the new policy of high- {grade attractions at popular prices. This new policy is in the nature of an experiment. If it is found that it meets with response from the public it will be continueg. Belasco—"Red Light Annie” A. H. Woods will present hi. {melodrama, “Red Light Annie.” which stars Mary Ryan, at the Shubert- Belasco this week, beginning tonight, with matinees Wednesday and Sat: urday. This play, by Norman Houston and Sam Forrest, has been widely dis- jcussed. It 1s'sald “to hold the mirror |up to life in a frank—some say bru- { brutalizing—way in an effort to pumch home with vigorous force a moral lesson.” It tells the story of a newly mar- ried couple who, With only moderate equipment, come from the country to !make their home and fortune in the jcity. Starting as a bank messenger, Ithé ‘husband is thrust into prison for {2 crime of which he Is innocent, and. |the young wife. thrown entirely on iher own resources, sinks to the low- est depths of the social strata. The rejuvenation and ultimate triumph of the couple over stupendous odds is claimed to form a most intriguing story. Mary Ryan, the well known emo- tional actress. will be supported by a company that. includes Frank M. Thomas, Edward Ellis, Paul Nichol- son, Warda Howard, Albert Britton, Henry Vincent and Ann Martin. “Red Light Annie” offers some unique stage effects that have been compared to the motion picture fade- out. The scenes are unfolded with rapidity by mechanical devices that eliminate the customary waits for changes of sets. National—::iighmin'." 'APACITY audiences last week and a steady line at the box office have made it seem wise to hold “Lightnin™ for an engagement at the National Theater of two weeks, positively.ter- minating Saturday night, January 26. Thomas Jefferson, Bessie Bacon, Charles E. Evans and the other play ers who are playing the comedy here make & fine cast, particularly”in the light of “Lightnin’s” peculiar requirements in the matter of types. The production was staged by Winchel Smith, who wrote “Lightnin’ " in col- laboration with Frank Bacon. So many elements have emer“ed into the enormous popularity of “Light- nin'” that it is difficult to Dlace one's finger on its principal elements of ap- peal. Doubtless the quaintly lovable {qualities of its central character, Bill {$ones, has endeared the play to its public more than any other one qual- ity. This quaint old rural know-it- all would be tolerated in few house- holds because of his laziness and fondness for liquor, but on the stage he is accepted with the forglving tenderness of a fond parent toward a wayward child. And then there is the courtroom scene, with its blending of humor and pathos which Broadway reviewers pronounced an uncommonly fine ex- ample of skillful playwriting. latest President—"Anna Christie Starring Peggy Coudray, “Anna Christle,”. the famous New York play, will be offered at the President The- ater this week, opening Thursday night. Previous rental of the theater to -other attractions prevents the usual Sunday night opening, and “Lombardi, Ltd.,” will be offered for the last time tonight. “Annie Christie” is declared by Manager Leonaré Wood, jr.. to be the most ambitious play the Washington Theater Guild, Inc., has yet attempted | to produce. It has never been pre- sented {n Washington in stock, and is generally regarded as above the usual stock play. His policy being to pro- duce the best of the current plays, Mr, Wood says, he obtained the rights |clude the royaity of the Lilliputian |OPera. to “Anna Christle.” + The story concerns a girl Who at- tempts to “come back™ after sinking to the uttermost depths. It has been criticized as one of the most daring shows ever presented In New York, but its severest critics have never denied that the play teaches a moral. It is being pregented as a photopla with Blanche Sweet, the motion pi ture star, in the role which will be interpreted by Miss Coudray. ‘Whether the play will be run after Sunday night has nét vet been de- cided. Keith's — Pat Rooney and Marion Bent. Several top-notch acts are sched- uled for B. F. Keith's thistweek, with Pat Rooney.and Marion Bent as the scintillating stars: of the bill in a brand-new production, a fullifledged musical comedy, written by Edgar Allan Woolf, and entitled “Sham- rock.” This is said to be an unusual production for vaudeville, just a step more and then some in advance of Mr. Rooney's “Smoke.” ~There are five scenes with a company of twenty people, including & -snappy, good- looking chorus and Martuccl’s Sham- Orchestra. Included in the cast gorgeous pace in costuming, but not * others, should have their holx',days. are known dancers such as Eva Mas- * RANALD SAVERY Rants Head Players At the Theaters This Week. POLI'S—Mrs. Leslie Carter, in * Opens tomorrow evening. GARRICK—"The Marionette Ma evening. ATIONAL—"“Lightnin”.” cvenin; PRESIDENT—“Lombardi, Lt evening, followed Thursday b KEITH'S—Pat Rooney and Mar opens with matinee tomorrow. COSMOS—Mme. Adelaide Herrm: with matinee tomorrow. STRAND—Rose’s Royal Midgets, GAYETY—“All Aboard,” burlesqu (Secon morrow evening: RAM’S HEAD PLAYERS—"Cec from Wednesday evening. cagno, Mildred Holliday Nieto ‘and Celia Marks. Franz Drdla. ~the famous com- {poser and violinist, will come as “an {extra added attraction.” His appear- {ance, playing his own compositions, is an event for vaudeville. Two former stars of the Ziegfeld land Century roofs will appear in a new offering, “Shall I with Ina Williams and Dick Keene. {llams is an attractive young girl and {Mr. Keene one of the dapper chaps Ibehind the footlights. Direct from ithe English music halls_ will come |Frederick Svivester and company, iwith an unusual company of midget acrobats, in an act, “The neatest of |lhe Neat.” | “Miss Laura Pierpont will be pre- and Anita {sented in a protean novelty by Edgar | {Allan Woolf, called “Women Who Pass in the Night.” It Is an episode in modern social life, and Miss Pier- pont plays several parts. The Ben- nett Twins will add to the gayety of ithe bill and Bob Snell and Ernes- tine Vernon will present “An Artistic Diversion,” a demonstration of nerve, confidence and ability, with thrills a-plenty. Aesop’s Fables, Topics of the Day and the Pathe News weekly complete the biIlL Cosmos — Mme. Adelaide Herrmann. Mme. Adelaide Herrmann, widow of Herrmann the Great. whom al: the world knew as the greatest maggi- cian and illusionist of his_time, will bo the big feature of the Cosmos bill this week, starting with the matinee tomorrow. Like her famous husband and following in his footsteps, Mme. Herrmann is herself a great magi- cian, and her performance includes many of the best offerings of Herr- mann the Great, with an added hyp- notic scene by Miss Adele Dewey and other novelties, among them the fa- mous “Noah's Ark,” a miniature ark which is wheeled on the stage with all sides open, to show that it is empty, when, with the wave of her {magic’ wand, Mme. Herrmann causes {animals, two by two, biblical fashion, to walk forth to the music of cackles, squeals and grunts. It is a thriller for the youngsterS. McCall _and _Riley Company, in “Those Were the Days,” are booked for one of the greatest laughing skits of the vaudeville season, according to the bills. Nathane and Sully will come with a brilliant offering of delightful danc- ing and with special scenic effects; Elsie White, a charming young sin er, with a cycle of new songs: Bil Beard, “behind a cloud of darknes with one of the newest and funniest of monologues, and Mack and Marion, in_songs and nonsensical revelry. Two great photoplay attractions are announced for the week—James Cruze's Jesse L. Lasky production for Paramount, “To the Ladies,” a clean- cut American comedy without vamps, cabarets or “big sets.” which has been called one of the high spots of screen humor. Of James Cruze, its }director, who made ‘The Covered Wagon,” it has been_said he never made a poor picture. Reginald Denny will bring round 3 of the leather pushers’ series, “Don Coyote” and the Urban Movie Chats and cartoon comics will complete the bill. Strand — l—l:e’s Royal Midgets. The Strand Theater today and all this_week will feature a bill headed by Rose's Royal Midgets, who in- world, among them Prince Pani, a Javanese; Prince Colobri and Princess Lucile, each twenty-eight inches tall. Prince Pani, twenty-six inches tall, and in all twenty-five wonderful lit- tle men and women who play instru- ments and many have cultivated voices. Their program is made up of singing and dancing, acrobatics, mag- ic, musical novelties and ensemble specialties. A jazz band under the direction of Bela Delnoki is made up of midgets. Miss Hansi Herman, twenty-seven_inches tall, is the pri- ma donna. She sang in Coblenz for the eoldlers during the war. A special rallroad car carries the company from city to city. The berths are made for babies and the furnishings are equally tiny. Spe- cial dishes and special silverware are \sed on the table. The midgets are Swiss, Hungarian, Javanese French, German and Belgian and their tour of the states is said to be proving a sen- sation. B Their act consunies an hour or more, so that but two others will be offered, these including Welton and Mershall, in “A Gag, a Dance and a Bunch of Hair.” and Jack Goldie, the “Dark Spasm of Jo: “The Near Lady” a clever comedy drama featuring Gladyé Walton, wiil be the photoplay. The story has much to do with bank accounts and WASHINGTON OPERA COMPANY— Miss Wil- | “Stella Dallas,” emotiona n,” melodrama. Opens t BELASCO—“Red Light Annie,” melodrama. Opens this even d week). Performance tor comedy, with performance this y “Anna Christie,” melodrama ion Bent, vaudeville. New show ann, vaudeville. New show opens vaudeville. Opens this afternoon. e. Opens this afternoon. ‘Tales of Hoffmann.” To- ily Ann,”, comedy. Perior society. Jerry Gendron, Harry Mans Kate “Price, "Otis Harlan. Florence Drew. Emmett King and Henrictt Floyd make up the cast. Gayety—"All Aboard.” “All Aboard,” a new show in Colut burlesque, is the attraction at the G ety this week. Heading the big « of entertainers Sam Sid Tom Senna and Meallister, in comedy roles a@ personal followi - lesque patrons. Leaders of the feminine contingent will be Gertrude Webber, Gertrud Parrish and Marie Hart, good-lookinz girls gifted with pleasing volces and | who dance gracefully, with @ choru |fair to look upon, beantifully costume with a different costume for each ¢ the score of muslcal numbers. “All Aboard” is of the revue typs and is declared to be a diversion « rare cleverness and novelty. A number of novel vaudeville specialtics are prom- ised, including Dudley Farnsworth and Marie Hart, in a comedy sketch; He: Hartman, violin virtuoso; Kathryn M Connell, ‘dancing_ingenue: Fenner an Roberts, eccentric comedians from ths London’ music halls, and Eddie West with an added attraction in the S Sunshower Girls, dancers, who dance Perfect harmony of movement g with Columbia bur Newman on “Brazil. E. M. Newman's traveltalk on “Bis il" this afternoon and evening at ew National Theater will reveal tl.o thrilling experiences of Theodore Roose - velt while exploring the River of Doubt with Gen. Rondon. Through the cou:- tesy of the Brazilian government this group of exciting scenes will be showr: to the public for the first time. During the long, hazardous journ Rooseveii encountered savages who had never be- fore seen white people. The hardshipe, privations and stings of numerabl insects caused Roosevelt's st illness. and his death was the result of the expedition. . Sao Paulo, “the Chicago of Brazil," the starting point, where glimpses o the coffee country will be enjoyed. The picture story of Brazil as given by Mr. Newman constitutes a wealth of informative data of a land where sceners enthralls the senses and where thers are resources that stagger the imagina- tion. It brings before you many scenes from remote corners and out-of-the-way places, with glimpses of the wild In. dian life in the Brazilian jungle. Washington Opera Co. In “Tales of Hoffmann™ One of the most artistic produc- tions of “Tales of Hoffmann” eve given in Washington is promised to- morrow night at the President The- ater by the Washington Qpera Com- pany. The two artists who will sing ths [leading, roles of the melodious opera. {—Mabel Garrison, soprano. and Josef Schwarz, baritone—have achieved in- ternational recognition. It is said on the last European appearance of Mr. Schwarz in “Tales of Hoffmann” that |following _the . performance, = which }was marked by tumultuous applause, ihe was seized and carried about the {streets on the shoulders of the crowd |while they cheered and sang. His singing in the Washington Opera | Company's _ production of “kig- foletto” ~ last ~year won flattering Ipraise. Miss Garrison also achieved |fame in_her singing in the same Her “Doll Song” is praised everywhere. The production will be unusual in that, under the dircction of Jacques Samassoud, the company Wwill follow the original scor ot the muct shortened opera siven full opera, it fs claimed, has ne given in America before. Mr. Samas- |!oud selected “Tales of Hoffman” for T b kis farewell performance as a cor cuctor of the Russian Imperial Ope: Company in St. Petersburg. of the cast include ago Opera Com- created a sensat “in December 1i-Curci; Othes members Ralph Errole, C! pany tenor, who in Chicago eail “Lakme” with G: Bonner, contralto. whose apyp [in Washington won high pr jher rich contralto voice; Mr. Ananian premier buffo of the ropolitan Opera. Company: Dorothy Mansfleld, Washington sopranc: Albert man, Louis Annis and other Img a chorus of eighty voice: Acade Margaret” a phenomenal child 'dancer, will do her bit in cn- tertaining the patrons of the Arcade as an added featuro Wednesday, her act being billed for 9 pam. The re- mainder of that evening and every ovening of this week will be given ‘over to the regular dance program. o “Baby