Evening Star Newspaper, March 29, 1925, Page 57

Theaters Part 3—12 Pages WASHINGTON, D. C., SUNDAY MORNING, MARCH 29, 1925. Wmmd.. Myra HampToON Palis N. V. A. Week Plans. representative the following factors in the American sement 2 | world have pledged their aid and en- Here In Wash-| oyragement for the national ob- ington the climax will be reached|servance of N. V. A. week: E. F. Friday night, April 17, when a big | Albee, Marcus Heiman, F. F. Proctor, speclal midnight performance will be |B. S.' Moss, Marcus Loew, Willlam given at B. F. Keith's Theater. This|Fox, S. Z. Poli, J. J. Murdock, Gus performance will be filled with visit- |Sun, Sam A Scribner, Frank Keeney, Srenefrom JiE Hory Crry” NAN TRAVELINE National Earle Current Attractions At the Theaters This Week BELASCO—“Mismates,” melodraina. Opens tomorrow evening. NATIONAL—"The Holy City,” a Lenten drama. Opens tomorrow eveging. POLI'S—"Mercenary Mary,” musical comedy. Opens this evening. THE vaudeville campaign for N. V.| sonal A. week, April 12 to 19, inclusive, | has been launched. EDWARD KEANL President The Stage a Mirror, With Surprising Reflections By Philander Johnson. The less of real theater there is the greater becomes the talk about the drama. The stage has always been found fault with. It is used to it. In fact, it likes it. Anything too rodgh for the critics to say about it is faithfully reported by press departments to the news col- umns. No serious or prolonged ef- fort is ever made to restrain com- ment, however unkind or even un- just. To revile the theater is per- ectly safe. There is no likelihood of retaliation, for the result always preves too valuable in the way of sdvertising to warrant serious ef- fort to interfere. Reviewers have been spitefully annoyed and even ecompelled to give up one situation— enly to go to another, enthused and invigorated to wield the slap-stick even more lustily than before. A wise theater manager is never peevish, * x ox This state of social animosity to- ward the theater, combined as it al- ways is with great cagerness to see its most notorious demonstrations, is a little mysterious. The stage holds the mirror up to nature, says poetical authority. .If this be true, society, like the average belle, is not invariably gratified by an absolutely faithful representation of herself. Any portrait painter will testify to the peril of minute raccuracy. Yet the mirror is never dispensed with. ¥ % % % Apparently the most innocent and fnconsequential theme for discourse §maginable, the theater is, in fact, the most controversial of all topics. Each individual has standards of his own, or prejudices which serve as standards, on which he feels compe- tent to base in a jiffy decisions in- volving many abstruse complexities. No one will easily admit that what pleases him, whether a tragedy, or a movie, or a merry-go-round, does not represent the form of entertain- ment to be esteemed, apart from all affectation, as the thing of homest, practical, heart-uplifting and soul- soothing worth. * % Tt is on perpetual argument among the public that the theater chiefly thrives. x x ¥ x This argument is always conduct- ed in terms of lofty generality. It is, nevertheless, a polite personal altercation, easily descending toward less polite assertion, according to the degree to which the participants have been accustomed to forms of courteous restraint. Families have been broken up because of a differ- cnce of opinion as to the merits of an actress or a movie. * ok % x Says A, “I consider this a fine en- tertainment.” Says B, “I consider it inferior.” The difference of opinion as to the play does not matter. But the audacity one person displays in disparaging the value of another’s opinion is serious. A implies that he is gifted with more precise and crudite discrimination. B suggests by inference that he is blest with a broader vision and a more tolerant sophistication. “And so it goes,” as the comic artist says, “far mito the night.” * x % % For all this perpetual debate the seasoned producer cares not a rap. He knows it is as sure to go on as is the theater itself. And he knows the theater is bound to go on so long as the love of mimetic exhibition is a trait of humanity, and, in fact, ac- cording to scientists, of zoology in general L Of censorship the play producer has no fear. For the perpetual threat of censorship he has the most profound affection. It means more controversy, which the theater has learned so expertly to utilize. The most bitter attack on the morals of a play brings no real resentment. The producers even join in it, and say, without mercy, about one an- other precisely what the general public is saying about all of them. * %k % * The little feature jn the “Follies” representing the difficulty two per- formers had in refraining from may- hem while working together on a sentimental ballad is allegorical in its illustration of the relationships of the footlights. * ¥ ¥ X By way of gilding refined gold, the “Follies” now announce that they are engaged in “glorifying the glorious American girl.” The glori- fication process knows no rhetorical limits. There is no doubt of its ef- fectuality so far as spectacular splendor is concerned. The only question that remains to a beauty- loving public as prices advance at the box office from season to season is “What price glory?” * % x % The “Follies” is in reality a glori- fied vaudeville, depending largely for its attractiveness on the same ex- pertness in programs that keeps the Keith entertainment in steadfast de- mand regardless of competitive pro- ductions which leave the patron in doubt as to whether to hoist his moral umbrella and put on his in- | tellectual overshoes. * %k ok X The “Chauve Souris” and the “Fol- lies” came into close cémparison as two distinct types of glorified vaude- ville, the former distinctly Euro- pean, the latter gathering, as it has grown in confidence through a ca- reer of 18 Winters, a disdain for the art standards which we have inher- ited from the Old World. The “Chauve Souris” employs the most skillful dancers and musicians to | give glimpses into the minds of old poets and composers of immortal memory. The “Follies” withdraws itself more and more into the limi- tations of Broadway; a display of physical charm and scenic ingenuity. Balieff introduces a tragedy con- densed and terrific in “The King Or- ders the Drums to Be Beaten” Tt conveys great drama with exquisite perfection of both music and panto- mime. The “Follics” occasionally Gaqeh.’ approaches a little scene of consis- tent comedy, only to throw it aw: in a maze of terpsichorean athletics so marvelous in its display of physi- cal attainment as to deserve in all | fairness a headline on the sporting page. One is a demonstration of the most refined accuracy in thought and movement; the other is buoyant | and exuberant. * ko It is to the spectacular show that the public now turns for relief from the deulge of slum dialogue. The question of costume, scant or abun- dant, arises only as an artistic con- sideration when the picture is se- curely beautifuly and is animated by well trained grace. The feebler imi- tations of these displays are most likely to offend. * x x % The distinction between the gen uine and the imitation is hard to draw. The 'most expert analysts have failed in efforts to point out in explicitly comprehensible terms the line between the deft permissible and the clumsy forbidden. A The revue producers can claim no particular credit for cleaning up. They are alert observers of the ten- dency of taste and know when the legitimate drama has them beaten at their own game. % x Audiences as well as plays are interesting. Managers have denied that the stage has any educational influence. Such an influence admit- ted would imply a certain moral re- sponsibility such as nobody would care to assume. Yet every ‘richly gowned woman who crossed the sidewalk in front of Poli’s to a wait- ing limousine bore testimony to the influence of the Russian theater, be- ginning with the Ballet Russe, on taste in fashionable attire. The in- fluence of the current theater not only in dress, but on manners, on conversation and on writing is un- 'mistakable, though difficult to mea- sure. The theater is least educa- tional when it seeks to concern it- self with archaic pedantries and most so, when it appeals adroitly to intelligence relaxed and easily impressed. What constitutes good education is another matter. Emi- nent school boards have quarreled on this point. * % % % In spite of a plentiful prospectus for the next few weeks, there is no escaping the fact that the theater is preparing “to throw the Winter gar- ment of repentance in the fires of Spring.” The first crack of the base ball bat will sound the signal for the final curtain of the professional stage. * %k % * There will still be talk about the theater—Summer companies will be organized and permit the renewal of esteemed acquaintances among both plays and players. The amateurs, some seriously ambitious, others only vain, will emerge into new ac- tivities. 'And no doubt the war among actors and managers will be resumed in New York and go on merrily as usual; resulting as usual, it may be predicted, in the managers PRESIDENT—"Rain.” drama. noon. EARLE—Vaudeville Road Show. STRAND—*“Seminary Scandals,” GAYETY— Belasco—"Mismates."” Artificiality and melodrama are said to be replaced by sincerity, individu- ality and reality in the make-up of Myron C. Fagan's newest drama, “Mis- mates,” which will be plaved at the Shubert Belasco Theater this week, be- ginning tomorrow night, prior to its New York opening, April 13, at the Times Square Theater. A particilarfly virile story, with prac- tically every human emotion known to the theater, Is promised, running the gamut from dire tragedy to the light- est kind of comeds. “Mismates” is pro- nounced a great human dooument. Its characters are people we all know, impersonated by Minor Watson, C. Henry Gordon, Beatrice Nichols, Mary Danfel, Fred Tiden, Fred Howard, Leona Hogarth, Joan Shaw, Edward Power, Harold Salter and Master Ed- win Mills, The production has been staged and directed by Rollo Lioyd. i 5 Laie National—"The Holy City. ‘With a cast of more than 150 actors, a special musical embellishment and scenic investiture, the St. Patrick Players this week will present their most ambitious offering, 'he Holy City,” a Lenten drama in 19 soenes, at the National Theater, beginning Mon- day night. In this production, which begins the Ixth season for a dramatic organiza~ tion rated by crifics among the finest of its kind in the East, the St. Patrick Players have a drama that offers wide scope for their abundant talents. Among those of featured prominence in the large cast will be Estelle Murray, Dennis Connell, Royal Foster, Orme Libbey, John O'Dono- ghue, Aloysius Kane, Arling Alcine, Maurice Jarvis, Arthur White, Helen O'Neil, Ralph O’'Brien, Aileen Mize, John T. Morgan, John Dillon Fitz. gerald, Farl Grimes, Marjorls Joest- ing, Helen Ault and Luke Fegan. Incidental music from Massenet's “Mary Magdalene” will be given in America for the first time, and in addition to the male cholr of St. Patrick’'s Church, under the baton of Prof. Benson, special interpretative numbers will be sung by & glee club, Dances incldental to the action will be given by the St. Patrick's pony ballet, comprising Eileen Lally, Olive Birmingham, Kitty McLeod, Betty and Margaret Cush, Helen Turneake and Esther Cloyd. "The entire production has the personal supervision of Rev. Francis J. Hurney, founder of the players, with Arling Alcine as manag- ing director. MR " Poli's — "Mercenary Mary “Mercenary Mary” is coming to Poli's tonight for a week, with matinees Thursday and Saturday. L. capitulating absolutely to the actors who can command terms and taking their revenge on the smaller fellows who still have their way to make or have missed their way entirely and must take what they can get. * ok ok k Many friends during the gast two weeks stepped into the Shubert- Belasco Theater, not to join the fur- tive groups who huddled in to see the exhibition, but to greet the local manager, who has become a sort of town hero; a Robinson Crusoe mak- ing the best of a lonely life or an Enoch Arden waiting patiently for a box office sale.. The auditorium of the handsome playhouse over which he presides has never for a moment lost its air of brave devotion to the ideals of dramatic literature, and for many weeks the better entertain- ment was to be had by looking about the house, away from the stage. Mr. Taylor is still hopeful that be- fore the season closes he will have an attraction that will fit the mot- toes framed upon the wall ‘The Golden Crook,” burlesque. MUTUAL—Band Box Revue, burlesque. Performance tonight. KEITH'S—Pat Rooney-Marion Bent, vaudeville. Opens this after- Opens this afternoon. audeville. Opens this afternoon. Opens this afternoon. Opens this afternoon® Lawrenca Weber, who produced “Little Jessie James” and “Moon- also produced “Mercenary an in it again will glorify the strains of the Ambassadors, a famous recording orchestra. The musical score of “Mercenary Mary" was written for an orchestra of mas- ter soloists and Mr. Weber belleves he has found a true medium of ex- pression. The chorus, represent the gowned in the jazz, a feature, Is said to plck of Broadway, latest creations. Allen Kearns heads the cast, which includes Madeleine Fairbanks, Myra Hampton, Nellle Breen, Jere Delaney, John Boles, Frank Kingdon, Helen LaVonne, Louls Simons, Sam Hearn and C. Davidson Clark. “Mercenry Mary" was written for laughing purposes. The book is by William B. Friendlander and Isabel Leighton. Mr. Friedlander also di- rected the staging of the piece. Together with Con Conrad, he wrote the lyrics and music for the piece, while Willlam Seabury arranged the numerous dances, which are a big big_feature of the show. “Mercenary Mary” tells its story to the strains of syncopated jazz. It concerns the effort of & mercenry young lady who sought to be com- promised so that her husband might divorce her temporarily and inherit a fortune. . wp s President—"Rain. The fabulous run of “Able's Irish Rose” is finding a closs second in “Rain,” that much-talked-about play drawn by John Colton and Clemence Randolph from “Miss Thompson,” & short story by W. Somerset Maug- ham, which starts on the first lap of its fifth week at the President to- night, with Katherine Hayden in the role of Sadie Thompson and the same cast with which the drama opened. “Rain,” as a plece of realistic writing, 1s one of the outstanding dramatic hits of the past five theatrical seasons. The success of Miss Hayden as Sadle Thomp- son during the play's stay here is aiso notable. Prices remain the same—S50 cents to $1.50, with popular-priced mati- nees Thursday and Saturday. Keith's—Pat Rooney and Marion Bent. Pat Rooney and Marion Bent, great favorites of the Washington vaude- ville public, are announced this week at Keith's with a beautiful, snappy, tuneful musical comedy, called “Shamrock,” and a company of 20. In addition to Pat's dancing, which has made him famous, “Shamrock,” writ- ten by Edgar Allan Woolf, is said to bring a pretty story, a,genuine plot and plenty of catchy melodies, pre- sented by a score or more of Broad- way beauties. Pat Rooney's Sham- rock Orchestra, a carload of scenery and many new and startling electrical effects come with the act. Featured will be Willie West, Mc- Ginty and company, in a pantomimic farce, called “House Bullders,” and Valerie Bergere, popular star of the legitimate stage, will be seen with her own company in a new domestic comedy by Carl McCullough, entitled “The Booby Prize.” Others will be Leni Stengel, conti- nental comedlenne, in & series of un- usual song studies, presented by Charles Lovenberg, direct from lead- ing European music halls; Davis and Pelle, in thelr equilibristic marathon, a sensation In acrobatics; El with his * illuslons, “Through the Eye of = Needle” and “Seeing Through a Man,” presented by Dickson Kenwin, the English actor-magiclan, assisted by Miss Joan Hertford. The film features will be Aesop' Fables, Topics of the Day and the Pathe News Pictorial. Earle—Vaudeville Road Show. The Earle Theater s announcing its first vaudeville unit show for this PAT ROONEY Keiths week, opening this afternoon. It is headed by the Kelso Brothers in "A Crazy Quilt Revue,” which contains a bit of most everything attractive. The brothers are in reality a quar- tet. Their company consists of an- other man and a dainty miss. Delmar’s Fighting Lions, sald to be the greatest offering of its kind In vaudeville, are a feature, and “Out- side the Circus” is intended to give a glimpse of life near the “big tops. The -O'Brien Sisters and company, who contribute a “Galaxy of Synco- | pation,” are exponents of high-class |Jazz. Others include Billy De Lisle and company, with Nan Traveline. The photoplay pictures Priscllla Dean in “A Cafe in Cairo.” Strand—"Seminary Scandals.” Heading the bill at the Strand Thea- ter this week, beginning today, is Mlss Tommy Allen, popular singing comedi- enne, as star of the musical furce by Vivien Chanler Smith, entitied “Semi- nary Scandals” feafuring & bevy of pretty girls and the Scotch comedian, Sandy Shaw, offering a repertoire of songs, jokes and stories. Another epecial attraction will bring Mile. Ivy, toe Uancer, assisted by Jack De Winter, in “Dance d'Arts,” with Derrick Swan at the plano. Others include Jim and Betty Page, called “Two Pages of Comedy,” and Bernt and partner in an entertalnment of flexibility, grace and art. “Girls Men Forget,” a Trio produc- tion adapted from the story of Fanny Kilbourne, will be the photoplay. The central character is & girl who has arned for herself the sobriquet ~of ‘the girl who is the life of the party.” There is never a social occasion that shows danger of lagging that ehe isn't able to “jazz up.” Suddenly she awak- ens to the realization that, because she has been a good fellow for the amusement of her friends, they do not take her seriously and she sees her chances of matrimony fading. - Her complete change of front and manner of living and the results therefrom make a. sprightly comedy-drama. Patsy Ruth Miller has the principal role, with Johnay Walker In the op- posite role. Alan Hale, Shannon Day, Frances Raymond, Mayme Kelse, Wilfred Lucas and Carrfe Clarke Ward are in the cast. A Fox Sunshine comedy, “Is Mar- riage the Bunk?” and & news reel will complete the bill. Gayety—"The Golden Cl'oflk." The popular ‘funster, Billy Arling- ton, who appears this- week at the Gayety Theater with Jacobs & Jer- mon’s “Golden Crook,” is said to be the highest-salaried comedian In burlesque. The cast which supports him in- cludes Cliff Clifford, a newcomer from vaudeville; Walter La Foye, with a fine voice; Ede Mae, prima donna; Louise Wright, blues singer; Carl Taylor, who does a musical specialty, 'and Girlle Knight, soubrette. There will be jazzy music by Frazier's Gol- den Crook Orchestra and vaudevil acts by La Foye and Wright Ede Mae and Clft Clifford, the Pell Mell Trio, Louise Wright and Clift Clifford in blackface. A large chorus completes the com- pany. B Mutual—"Band Box Revue." The Norette sisters are featured in the “Band Box Revue,” which opens at the Mutual Theater this afternoon. These youthful stars are musiclans as well as dancers and play the violin, ‘cello, cornet and trombone. Gus Flaig wrote the book, which is in two parts, and is sald to be a riot of color, music and fuw. ‘The cast fncludes Roy Sears, Edythe ing acts and surprise stunts, and the | Walter Reade, John Harris, Carl, entire theater will be turned into a |Hoblitzells, A. Pantages, Wilmer and great carnival. Reservations are being made now, and it will be nec- essary to adhere to the rule of “First come, first served.” The sick and benefit fund of the Natfonal Vaudeville Artists now, as in past years, is the only beneficiary of this annual week of celebration. Personally or by official or per- “Gypsy” Carroll, Kitty Devere and Mildred Austin and a chorus of excep- tional dancers. Janet Richards, Tomorrow. Miss Janet Richards will give her usual weekly review of “Public Qu tions, Home and Foreign,” tomorrow morning in the auditortum of the New Masonic Temple, Thirteenth street and New York avenue. In these talks Miss Richards brings up to date each Monday the latest de- velopments in questions of outstand- ing interest in the world's work. Tomorrow, following the weekly summary of home affairs, she wiil touch upon such forelgn questions as Austen Chamberlain's latest plan for preserving world peace and the ef- fect of today's elections in Germany upon European stability. She will speak also of Mussolini's recovery and latest picturesque developments in Italy, saving part of the time to- ward the end for a review of several timely and interesting books. The talk will begin at 10:40 a.m. Wilson Normal Players- Thursday. The Wilson Players will present thelr second play this season, “The Country Cousin,” by Booth Tarking- ton and Jullan Street, Thursday eve- ning at Wilson Normal Community Center, Eleventh and Harvard streets northwest. . Elizabeth Dyer will play Nancy and Willard Miller, George Tewkes- berry Reynolds, 3d; Edith Dresden, Iva Minor, Louise Wood and Irene Neikirk, all of whom are also well known In amagg dramatic work in the city, hae important roles, and the cast Includes also Claudia Graves, John Neeb, Arza Campbell, Frank Ro- tella, Oscyr_ Kanngiesser, C. H. Shop- meyger and Frank Lowman. Georgeanna McHargue, contralto, and Mary Scott, planist, will con- tribute the music for the evening. Other members of the Wilson Play- ers are working on three one-act plays to be given April 23. SWIMG Feafures. “Argentine Nights,” at the new Swanee, will be celebrated tomorrow and Tuesday evenings, when the spe- clal attraction of the evening will be a sensational version of the tango originated and performed by Jerry Ripp and Miss Ida Belt, young Capital dancers. It is a unique combination of the original Argentine tango with the new: Broadway dance steps. The huge ballroom Is thronged nightly with crowds of dancing young folks. Theater Workshop, Thurs- e The Theater Workshop, an organ- ization of young people seriously in- terested in.dramatic art, will open Thursday evening with = bill of three one-act piays. The performance will be repeated Saturday night. The theater is reached by going up a short alley on the north side of Irving street just east of Sixteenth. The = members announce Walter Beck as advisory director and Robert Byrne as supervising artist. The plays to be presented are: “James and John,” with Betty Clark, Theodore Tenly, Robert Byrne and John Schellhaas; Telma Castle, direc- tor; the setting by Robert Byrne. “A Matter of Husbands,” directed by John Bowling, with Julla Clements and Leona Schoyep compri cast. “The Maker Bf Dreams,” wi Ruth Russel, John Scheilhaas and Robert Byrne in the cast. While the “Maker of Dreams” {s more or less famillar to little-theater-goers, it gots a new quality through the set- ting and costumes of Prentiss Taylor, who also 18 responsible for the deco- rations in “A Matter of Husbands.” The theater and stage have been | Vincent, Harry Davis, Jules Mast- baum, W. Butterfield, A. J. Br lawsk!, Nathan Gordon, Fred Scha berger, M. Shea, Maurice Goodman, James Moore, Pat Casey, Maj. L. E. Thompson, Mark Luescher, Jacob Loeb, David Loew, Arthur M. Loew, Jacob H. Lubin and Secretary Ches- terfield of the N. V. designed by Robert Byrne with the object of making it a delightful inti- mate little playhouse. Arcade. The management of the Arcade Au- ditorium announces that, with the ex- ception of Tuesday, “invitation night. will be continued 1 this week. The Tuesday night dance will be given in the upper baillroom, as a big ente tainment for the benefit of the H brew Home for the Aged will ta place in the auditorium that evening Special favors and souvenirs will be distributed Wednesday evening, All Fools' @ay In the Spotlight. SSA KOSTA has been signed by Lawrence J. Anhalt to play the title role in the reviva] of Gilbert and Sullivan's “Princess Ida." “Seadrift® has been selected by Adolph Klauber es the new title for the Hugh S. Strange play, formerly known as “Wings of Chance” The next production of the Shu- berts will be “The School Mald,” a musical version of the ‘Charm School.” Florence Eldridge is in the cast. James Gleason and his wife, Lu- cille Webster Gleason, ares the au- thors of a comedy entitled “That Bimbo,” which will be given an elaborate presentation next season Lucille Sears, niece of Zelda Sears, will have the leading feminine role in Miss Sears’ forthcoming musical Play, to be produced by the American Producing Company. John Cort is going in for Shakes- peare. He announces that he will produce the “Comedy of Errors,” which has received scant attention since Stuart Robson and Willlam H Crane appeared in It as co-stars. “The Thrill,” a play by William Dugan, author of “Tantrums,” is to be staged in New York soon by the Dugan Producing Company. Irene Bordon! and her husband, E. Ray Goetz, salled from New York for London last week, where she s to appear in Avery Hopwood's “Little Miss Bluebeard.” Ruth Sherley has written a play. called “The Distant Star,” which Charles K. Gordon, producer of “Cape Smoke,” will present at a special matinee with the “Cape Smoke” com- pany. “Maritza,” the Kalman operetta which has been shattering records on the continent for two years, has been secured for this country by Wil- mer & Vincent, who will present it in New York next season with Hopc Hampton in the title role. John Cromwell's “Harvest,” the new drama by Catherine Horton, is ready for production. Augustus Duncan has the leading role, with Louise Closser Hale opposite. Irma Marwick, prominently men- tioned for the cast of “What D' Y’ Say?” is now holding forth in the title role of “Plain Jane,” with Joe Laurie John Murray Anderson has been commissioned to stage a new musical comedy, called “Sweet Rebel” Sig- mund Romberg's brother is under- stood to be sponsoring the enterprise. A new play by Roy Tomlin Clifford, entitled “On to 18,” has been accepted by the Shuberts for production next season. Martha Bryan Allen and Ernest Lawford have been engaged for “Oh, Nightingale!" a comedy by Sophie Treadwell, which will open in Atian- tie April 13,