Evening Star Newspaper, April 8, 1929, Page 18

OPENING ATTRACTIONS IN WASHINGTON THEATERS SHUBERT-BELASCO—"Congal.” “Congai,” a play in three acts, by Harry Hervey and Carleton Hildreth, presented by Sam E. Harris, comes to the Shubert-Belasco this week after a season of success in New York. The original cast, supporting Helen Menken, comes with it. This play is unique in that it es tablished itself comfortably and main- tained its success during a season when complete failure or depressing desue- tude were the rules, rather than the exceptions, for so many new theatrical ventures, But whether, in this case, the play has won its place in the sun upon its ‘own merits or upon the merits of Miss Menken. will not be known until the latter absents berself from the cast, Fortunately for Washington, the verdict will not have to be spoken here. Miss Menken, in the role of Thi-Linh, the “Congal” in the case, presents an elo- quent testimonial both as to her own skill and the reason for the play’s un- dimmed popularity. “Congal,” we are told, is Annamite for woman, and Annamite, for the in- formation of those who may be rusty on their ethnology as well as their geography, is the language spoken by the Annamites of French Indo-China. ‘The play is the story of a woman, & remarkable woman, and the settings range, through the 17 years chosen. for study in this woman's life, from an exotic scene in the jungle, to a street scene in a native village and the homes of officers in a French garrison. As the play progresses against a background of the jungle and the clash of what an enlightened world would call the in- fluences of “civilization” with those of “barbarism” a splendid opportunity is presented for colorful scenery, costumes and fleeting glimpses now and then of native types. A street scene, presented in the second act, is one of the out- standing features of the play. Miss Menken'’s characterization of the ‘woman, whose fidelity to one man and his memory is made more beautiful through her many infidelities, is a superb example of restrained and subtle portrayal of the continuous emotional conflict within the mind and the soul of Thi-Linh, daughter of a native woman and a Frenchman. She makes her role a very live one, and in the barracks scene at the close of the sec- ond act, where, watching through a window, she sees the native father of her illegitimate son marching away to war in France, while her French lover, through her sacifice, remains with her, she rises to & pinnacle far above the levels of the mediocrity with which the average theatergoer is so well acquaint- ed. The supporting cast, both in num- bers and skill, is noteworthy. Outstand- ing among its members are Maurice Burke, as Capt. Paul Lehrisson; Felix Grembs, as Col. Chauvet; Theodore Hecht, as Kim Khouan; Vera Hurst, as ‘Mama Thi-Bao, and H. Dudley Hawley, as the governor. “Congal” may not prove anything new. It is hard to prove anything new, in the first place, and it is doubtful if the authors intended to do more than tell a dramatic story with a new and unusual background. Certainly there is no attempt at moralization, and that is most refreshing. The story deals with the half-caste daughter of & na- tive woman, deserted by her French Jover. She is born to a world whither has been brought, by the conquering soldiers of France, the first touch of civilization. ‘The particular trait of civilization, emphasized in the play, is the philosophy of a man-made world which takes, and leaves, its women as it finds them. Thi-Linh, deserted first by her native lover, is deserted again by a succeeding line of civilized French- men, who provide her with the means to climb in a materialistic world. In the end there is tragedy, made more poignant by what is left to imagination and conjecture. ‘WooDpwWARD & LOTHROP 10™ U™ F axp G StnzeTs The Walnut Room Copies the Paris Successes Patou’s Chartreuse Flat Crepe Model One of our copies is this flat crepe frock with interest that cen- ters in the back, hand- finished in the Paris “dressmaker” manner. Also in Patou’s capu- cine — a color that shares honors with chartreuse this sea- son. $50. Copies of Cheruit’s fan pleated evening gown of souffle chiffon, $95, and Maggy Rouff’s stitched frock, are two other important copies in our collections. $65. ‘T Warxur Room THp FLOOR. POLI'S—“Ta Bouche.” Sparklin lines and tuneful music char- acterize “Ta Bouche,” a modern French comedy which opened a week's engage- ment_at Poli's ml night. ritten in the characteristically clever manner of the Parisian farce, the pl':ly presents a succession of amusing incidents, ending with & concerted march of principals to the altar. The story of the play is obligingly translated and printed in the 'program for the benefit of those whose acquaint- ance with the French language is not fluent. It concerns Mag, Marguerite and Margot, three friends who con- stantly travel together, gathering gassip and spreading it at h_resort they ‘requent. One of the choice stories they spread is about Eva and Bastien, who are in love with each other and who are carrying on a clandestine af- fair. Bastien’s father, Du Pas de Vis and Eva's mother, countess, each expect some financial advantage from the marriage of their children. The mother’s old lover who has become impoverished in courting her, is now her butler. The father’s housekeeper is anxious to marry her employer. When each parent discov- ers the other’s deception the betrothal is broken. Bastien marries & rich and ugly woman who later deceives him, in order to help his father. Eva gains wealth for her mother by mmn{ with several millionaires. The housekeeper of Du Pas de Vis suddenly comes into an inheritance which induces her master to marry her. Eva’s mother becomes an actual duchess by marrying her old servant. In the last act, after several divorces, the servants marry each other, the parents of the two young lovers marry and Eva and Bastien are finally made husband and wife. Georges Foix and Jane de Poumayrac give notable performances in the roles of Bastien and the countess, being ably supported by Mr. Servatius as Dupas de Vis; Mr. Fadeuilhe, as Jean, and i Sonia Alny as Eva. Yvette Herbaux, Marion Gaillard and Alice Penven are a clever trio in the roles of Marguerite, Margot and Mag respectively. Ginia Barty is well cast as Melanie. STRAND—*“Nite Life in Paris.” The burlesque patrons of the Strand Theater are being entertained this week by Lou Real's production, “Nite Life in Paris,” in which one of the the old-time comedians, " otherwise Charles McNally, carries the burden of the comedy, with | amusing slapstick efforts distributed throughout the evening. La Villa Maye, “the surburban addition” as she has been called, with all the cleverness ‘of the French soubrette, furnishes the modern methods of the burlesque up to the very minute, so to speak. Others who contribute to the performance are Mary Lee Tucker, a stepper of no mean ability; Zella Stevens, a pleasing in- genue; Jack Goodman, another come- dian, and Jack Wright, straight man. There is, of course, the usual busy chorus that never tires, but which also wins its share of the applause. PALACE—“The Dummy.” “The Dummy,” Paramount's latest all-talkie release, current at the Palace, is excellently presented melodramati farce. Therefore, it is good entertain- | ment in itself, but it is guilty of what ! comes close to being a discrepancy, thal of capitalizing on the name of a bril- liant actress, who in the course of the picture is relegated to a decidedly minor role, We refer, of course, to Ruth Chat- terton, lately of the speaking stage and more recently of “The Doctor’s Secret,” in which she displayed as rare a power and subtlety as the talking screen has yet offered. However, as “The Dummy” is cast young Mickey Bennett, in the title | part, would ordinarily corner all the (Continued on Nineteenth Page.) ) ‘WoopwaRrD & LoTHROP 10™ 11™* F axp G STrEETS The New Frigidaire Cold Control will be demonstrated throughout this week Delicious Frozen Desserts will be served The Frigidaire Cold Control is a development as important as the oven heat regulator. Now you can easily and quickly prepare delightful dainties never before possible. 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